Hello Grief

When a loved one dies from suicide, it can be difficult to find peace. Questions will remain unanswered, and others may not understand how their words can hurt. Christine Schelling shares some of her journey, faith, and realizations with us.

It can be hard to know what to say or do when a coworker experiences a death in their family. While there are no perfect answers, author Alisha Krukowski shares some things you can do (and not do) to make things a little easier on everyone.

A difficult relationship doesn’t just “get better” when the other person dies. Guest Author Brittany Cole talks about reconciling the different aspects of her relationship with her dad, and how it’s made her a stonger and more compassionate person.

All of the joy and excitement of the holidays can be difficult to bear after the loss of a child. Guest author Michelle Wilson feels this again as she attends a sing-along symphony, and sees children who are now the age that her son, Cooper, never got to be.

After a loss, memories of a person you miss may be triggered in many ways. For Author Elizabeth Sullivan, one of her most vivid memories with her father is revisited every time she hears his favorite song.

Right after your loved one dies, everyone reacts strongly, and with sympathy. But after a few months, the rest of the world starts to move on, with or without you. Guest author Kati Rice shares what it was like to recognize this in the months following her father’s death, and how she found ways to move forward herself.

When the opportunity to seek forgiveness or make amends is lost, such as when a person dies, guilt can become a (if not the) dominant feeling in your loss. Author Bill Cushnie shares ideas to help cope with guilt in grief.

The holidays can be an especially difficult time of year for those who are grieving. Author Patti Cox writes about how to cope when everyone around you seems happy and full of holiday cheer, making you want to just skip the holidays all together.

View and comment on the Hello Grief poll results from September/October 2010, which stated: “My favorite way to stay connected to loved ones I’ve lost is…”

Reposted from the American Widow Project, a military widow writes about receiving the six black boxes of her husband’s belongings after his death in combat.