This is Interesting #10

April 16, 2019 Mark

Funerals are becoming events corridnated by a celebration-of-life planner. "Running Home" A Memoir by Katie Arnold. Cumulative grief can be characterized by the simple fact that as we age those around us, friends, family, and loved ones are dying.

Neurobiology of Memories and Grief

April 10, 2019 Mark

There are neurobiological reasons why our memories and our grief are inexorably connected. It has nothing to do with us being crazy, lost, or incapable of closure

Why I'm Making A Grief Tapestry

April 2, 2019 Mark

I am creating a tapestry of memories and emotions to carry with me like the Bedouin moving from one safe place to another safe place knowing they have all that they need to thrive.

Love Is Watching Someone Die* Part II

March 22, 2019 Mark

Caregiving is helping a loved one live well. The price we pay is shuttling between our life and their death. We exchange life’s water with the wilting of the loved one, nourishing them over and over while our life erodes. Yet our spirit sings the joy of giving hope and succor.

This is Interesting #9

March 1, 2019 Mark

Grief Dreams have a place in our lives and it’s not all bad. Love and you’ll grieve and love again. Helping each other in our caregiver role. Workplace education to improve grief support.

Wedding and Anniversary Memories

February 6, 2019 Mark

My upcoming anniversary drives memories of our wedding.

This Is Interesting #7

January 31, 2019 Mark

Sometimes even gaming we can find meaning in our grief. Grief is not valueless nor vapid it offers us much. Music even happy music makes us grieve.

This Is Interesting #6

January 30, 2019 Mark

You can phone your grief in. Art and grief creates real healing and hope. Polite dinner conversations should include death and dying.

Grieving 101 & More

January 23, 2019 Mark

Have you ever filed an article in a read later folder and a week or two later open it and smack yourself because you hadn't read it sooner? I did and here is this gem on grief, grieving, and more. An important piece on grief and loss.

This is Interesting #5

January 14, 2019 Mark

Yiyun Li’s stunning story about death and grief, Seneca the Greek philosopher in 41 examines grief, and arranging funerals and grief. I add my experience with that exercise.

Employers, Employees, and Grieving

January 9, 2019 Mark

Employees and employers are the single most important community to help with grief, grief support, and mourning.

This Is Interesting #4

January 8, 2019 Mark

Some links on How Should You Grieve, Closure Is Indifference, and Death and Grief in the Digital Age

This Is Interesting #3

December 28, 2018 Mark

End-of-Life A film examines how death is what we all face yet most run in fear. “No Me Dejas” a brilliant Science Fiction short story about transferring memories. It’s what we do with loss and grief. A short paper on Death, Grief, and Family Dynamics.

This is Interesting #2

December 25, 2018 Mark

How to have a better death, Rums (just because), some grief lasts a lifetime, and how to learn from great loss.

This Is Interesting #1

December 24, 2018 Mark

What I found interesting this week. East vs. West concept of last words, what makes life meaningful at the end-of-life, and judging others grief.

Allowing Grief to Sculpt Your Future Self

December 12, 2018 Mark

I can see myself reflected in the grief of my loss and that reflection is not static. It is dynamic and moves forward the in ripples and eddies of a stream even as I stand in place.

The Idiosyncratic Nature of Grief and The Benefits of Solitude

November 18, 2018 Mark

I guess my first goal is to find the peace in the solitude of writing, the book, blog posts, and not jump up to do something else. To learn to sit and listen quietly to my inner voice. To not look at what’s next or what do I do to fill the time with chores and acts.

Shhh Can You Hear Your Grief Playlist

November 13, 2018 Mark

The iPod Original was a 2001 Christmas gift from Donna

Grief is a playlist playing in the background. It is the sound track of your life after the loss of a loved one. Some turn it off and find a new list. Others listen to their and dance to it or sing or cry or let it just play. It is your playlist and your choice.

My Grief is My Sims

November 1, 2018 Mark

My Sims avatar of Donna

When we grieve we live in a world created by death and memories. That world does not have to be stagnant it can be dynamic and healing. Grief mimics the worlds Sims players create and thrive in. We can thrive in our Sims like world of grief and memories.

Even In Hospice She Remained Donna

October 26, 2018 Mark

During her time in hospice she was on the knife edge of death yet there were some very Donna moments. She did not loose herself to death she remained true to her being. At the end she gave me the gift of being Donna.