Traveling with Grief

I’m duplicating this from my Mexican blog. I posted this three years ago today. I have learned through the years that bad news has a greater dimension when I receive it in a foreign country. I am a long way from home. There are people who “love” me – but do they really? Or are […]

…on Wanting Us to Be Together

(NOTE.  This is one of a series of requested letters that was written in 2012. Perhaps it will help you communicate your love.) I don’t like that you are so far away. This is a moment I want to share with you. Of course, I always want us to be walking and talking together.  When […]

What I Want for Christmas

Another friend has lost her child. I am sharing some of what I feel of her pain so that you will, perhaps, read this and take a chance on life. Dear Suffering Person, You are my Christmas wish. I want you – alive and well and warm, holding your children or standing in the embrace […]

…to My Daughter When I Die

NOTE.  This is one of a series of requested letters that will be posted under “Form Letters” for those of you who are looking for an idea or a template for a letter of your own. Dear Daughter, I’ve never considered myself immortal, but until my illness I hadn’t really thought of dying and leaving […]

…On Finding a New Love

“When love beckons to you, follow him, Though his ways are hard and steep.” Kahlil Gibran I am thrilled for you. Your new life is beginning. You have spent months and years grieving, honoring and remembering your husband. You have made it through all of the “firsts” and “seconds”. You have lived with deep sorrow […]

…on Living with Suicide

My Dear Friends, As parents we want to believe that there is always something  we can do to help our children. If we could do… or if we could have done… This propensity for making ourselves responsible is a heavy burden on our best days. On this worst day I wish I could lift this […]

Your Daughter’s Life

My Dear Friend, I called yesterday to do what friends do; to be available, to listen, to speak if necessary, and hopefully to comfort. You comforted me. You weren’t trying. You were being yourself. You were sharing. I am comforted to know that the two of you are holding each other up with the soothing […]

…to My Husband When I Die

To My Dear Husband, I think you know how important you are to me. Yet I’m happy to to say it in words one last time. When you read this, I will have passed from this physical plane. And my love will live on in you. My heart attack gave me a second chance. It […]

Thoughts on Death

For what is it to die but to stand naked in the wind and to melt into the sun? And what is it to cease breathing, but to free the breath from its restless tides, that it may rise and expand and seek God unencumbered? Kahlil Gibran Dear Friend. You are face-to-face with the death […]

…on Losing My Relationship with My Daughter

NOTE.  This is one of a series of requested letters that will be posted under “Form Letters” for those of you who would like an idea or a template for a letter of your own.) Dear Daughter. Please tell me what I have done.  You say there is nothing and I know it isn’t true. […]