Recently, someone asked me how grieving my son is different now (four and a half years later) than it was during the first year he
“THE URN SPEAKS”
Hey Mom, I’m not actually in here. You know that, right? But I get it. I get that the living need reminders and touchstones. I
“LISTS”
Have you ever noticed how everything has been reduced to a list? 5 Reasons To Give Up Gluten. 10 Ways To Improve Your Sex Life.
“PAY ATTENTION”
I awoke from a dream recently. This is significant because I rarely recall the content of my dreams, or even that I dreamed. This has
“THE BLAME GAME”
I have recently learned of another mother, someone I don’t even know, who is putting herself through the hell of self-blame and guilt as the
“THE THIRD ECLAIR”
I’ve always liked sweet, creamy treats. Other desserts (pie and cake, for instance) were mere excuses to consume large quantities of ice cream or whipped
“COMING OF AGE”
AUTHOR’S NOTE: When a child with mental illness comes of age, from a parent’s point of view, all bets are off. If your now “adult”
“ROSE-COLORED GLASSES”
I find myself saying things that previously I would have thought were complete bullshit. That bad things don’t happen to us; they happen for us…
WHAT TO DO WHEN A FRIEND SAYS, “I WANT TO KILL MYSELF”
Today is World Suicide Prevention Day. For those of us who have lost a loved one to suicide, this is a bittersweet day. Bitter because
“DYING – A DRESS REHEARSAL”
December 24, 2009 – 1:50 a.m. “What sadist numbered these highways so that they all end in 80? Six-80. Eight-80. Five-80. Nine-80. Just plain stupid
“WITH APOLOGIES & THANKS TO THE BEATLES”
[AUTHOR’S NOTE: After the initial madness of losing my son to suicide had settled down to a quiet roar, I was drawn to mindfulness meditation.
“THERE BUT FOR THE GRACE OF GOD”
[Author’s Note: At my son’s memorial service, his friend Nadine (not her real name) told the story of how Julian once took a homeless man
