Grief support groups, condolence advice, funeral etiquette and more

May 2008 Blog Posts (7)

Never Regret Growing Older

When I was a child, my family had a framed print with an old man and a motto underneath that said, "Never regret growing older; it's a privilege denied to many." I can still see it in my mind's eye - the old man's weather-beaten hat, the driftwood frame, hung on our old wood paneling.

It's a very Irish Catholic, gloomy, guilt-inducing thing to say, like when my Great-Grandfather Hughes used to tell us that if we saw a penny on the street and didn't pick it up, "you'll see the day… Continue

Added by Lee on May 30, 2008 at 2:00pm — 1 Comment

Always Go to the Funeral

National Public Radio produces a segment called "This I Believe," and it's just fantastic. People from all walks of life contribute essays around the topic of what they believe. (Just like the title says.)

Anyway, NPR broadcast one essay in particular that's always stuck with me, and it's called "Always Go to the Funeral." The author Deirdre Sullivan says that her father taught her the lesson that you should always attend the funerals of people you know, and that it's very important… Continue

Added by Lee on May 29, 2008 at 4:12pm — No Comments

What to Say When Someone Dies Suddenly

Q. A neighbor of mine in her late forties drowned in a freak boating accident when her canoe overturned. I want to go to the funeral, but what can I possibly say to her husband and her children, who range in age from 8 to 14?

A. Accounts of sudden accidents grab our attention…

Continue

Added by Florence Isaacs on May 15, 2008 at 12:00pm — 2 Comments

Todd looked so happy standing to the left of the groom, his friend Jonathan!

Added by Janet - Todd's Mom on May 3, 2008 at 3:00pm — No Comments

Todd (light brown hair) in his friend's wedding May 3, 2008

Todd is the one leaning toward the center to better see what it is that Jonathan is pointing… Continue

Added by Janet - Todd's Mom on May 3, 2008 at 3:00pm — No Comments

Musings of an Insomniac

Musings of an Insomniac

Apparently New York is not only the state in which resides the city that never sleeps but is the second home to the amazing twenty five year old girl who never sleeps. I haven't slept since I landed three days ago. I watch reruns and read old newspapers and do anything but sleep. Some of this may have to do with the fact that when I am here I sleep in my dead brother's bed staring at the wrapped christmas presents I bought him and he never got to open. Some of… Continue

Added by Keek on May 3, 2008 at 3:30am — No Comments

Three Little Girls

My grandfather Ozell died in November 2006, six months after a devastating stroke. The doctors were amazed by his recovery. They told us, “He has a large brain.” Even in our grief, we felt proud to be associated with such an amazing man and his impressive brain.

Grandaddy and his large brain fought hard for those six months, but the fight took its toll. He passed away peacefully with his wife, three daughters, and many brothers and sisters by his side. It's been a year and a half,… Continue

Added by Jessica on May 2, 2008 at 12:30pm — No Comments