A Time of Grief—Short Prayers for Your Healing
By Peggy Ekerdt A few weeks after the sudden death of my brother-in-law, I spent the day with his 6-year-old son….
Grieving the Loss of Your Parent
My mother, lying in a darkened hospital room, was close to death. But as she reached for my hand and looked…
Getting Through the First Weeks After the Funeral
My sisters and brothers and I met at the house the day after Mom’s funeral. With both Mom and Dad now…
Finding Ways to Celebrate Special Days After Loss
My mother died one warm September evening nearly 20 years ago, and I remember well the first holiday season that followed—the…
Finding Strength to Survive a Crisis or Tragedy
By Eugenie G. Wheeler Your world has fallen apart…but your life goes on. You wonder how you will ever get through…
Grieving at Christmas: A Family Guide
by Valerie Dillon Therapists and hotlines report an increase in calls during the Christmas holidays. It is no surprise, given the…
Five Things to Consider as You Prepare to Retire
by Norma Schuh
Until recently, retirement from the work force or from managing a household (or whatever activities and obligations engaged you in earlier years) implied you were soon to be following a downward spiral. In previous generations, where lon…
Advance Care Planning: Help for Making Care Decisions Now and for the Future
by Mary Lynne Knighten
Are you one of the 70% of people who does not have an advance care plan (ACP)?
Advance care planning is the process of planning for future medical care. ACP is an ongoing course of action whereby patients, family members, and hea…
End-of-Life Concerns: A Guide for Families
by Rev. Daniel H. Grossoehme, BCC Juan was in his mid-thirties and sitting up in his hospital bed when I met…
Aging | CareNotes | Family Caregiving | Grief
Dealing With Family Conflict as a Loved One is Dying
Even though the steps through grief can be similar, the way each family member moves through the process is unique. Such…