Working Through Grief

Leonard Cohen’s “Hallelujah”

December 19th, 2012
Posted By:

Cast of NBC’s “The Voice”
singing a tribute to victims in Newtown, CT

A good friend who tragically lost a loved one in the Newtown, CT mass shooting yesterday posted on her Facebook page this beautiful and haunting video of the coaches and artists from NBC’s hit show, The Voice, singing Leonard Cohen’s “Hallelujah” in a tribute to the 20 children and six adults who died in the halls of Sandy Hook Elementary School.

I think it is the simplicity of the song’s message that makes it so powerful.  Let the healing powers of the music fill your soul and … Read More

Newtown: A Priest’s Tears

December 18th, 2012
Posted By:

Monsignor Robert Weiss I always think of priests as people who have heard and seen it all. After years of listening to thousands of people confess their sins (large and small), and executing innumerable weddings, funerals and baptisms, I can’t imagine that priests are surprised by anything anybody does.  I’m sure their deep faith gives them hope and optimism about human behavior but there probably isn’t anything new under the sun for them. Until I read about Monsignor Robert Weiss. Weiss is a priest at St. Rose of Lima parish in Newtown, CT and he horribly lost more than 10… Read More

Newtown, Connecticut

December 15th, 2012
Posted By:

Murdering a child is an unspeakable act. Yesterday’s horrific tragedy at Sandy Hook Elementary School in Newtown, CT., which involved the shooting of 27 people, including 20 young children, leaves us asking questions about our culture and praying for the parents and the community at large. As a parent myself, I try to place myself in their situation, but I cannot begin to fathom the depth of pain and shock those parents are experiencing.  My heart goes out them and I wish we could take it all away. We must talk openly about this incident, as hard as it is,… Read More

Sentimental Christmas Stockings

December 13th, 2012
Posted By:

Stockings Belonging to Daddy, Mommy & R ” . . . And the stockings were hung by the chimney with care;  In hopes that St. Nicholas soon would be there. . .”From “Twas The Night Before Christmas” By Clement Clarke Moore These  are our sentimental Christmas stockings, hung on our fireplace every year, in hopes that Santa Claus will think we have been good and fill them with lots of treats. I know they are a bit on the tacky side but they represent a lot of good feelings and great memories. They don’t match each other or the living… Read More

Melissa’s Story

December 4th, 2012
Posted By:

Melissa Betrand Knights (baseball cap) with her children After a loved one dies, we try to find ways to stay connected to them even though they are no longer physically with us. Our memories of being with that person, or of just the person by themselves, is a strong bond that can never be broken.  Sometimes we save a piece of clothing they wore or some everyday item that brings great meaning to us.  Being in a particular place, smelling a scent or hearing a song can bring those strong memories back to us without any notice but sometimes that… Read More

Widows Fighting For Their Homes

December 3rd, 2012
Posted By:

Protect Your Property Every woman needs to read this New York Times story right now (see link below). Whether you are 18 or 81-years-old, single, married or widowed, every woman needs to know the financial facts about owning her own home.  Don’t think that someone is going to go out of their way to explain it to you.  Find out about home ownership for yourself in order to protect yourself and the biggest investment of your life — your home. When my husband died, both of our names were on the mortgage.  I was lucky but I could easily have… Read More

Roll The Dice

November 29th, 2012
Posted By:

A Road in County Kerry, Ireland I am comfortable with the fact that part of achieving something in life means taking a risk.  I’m not talking about a risk to your personal safety or health but an action that is out of your usual routine and a little out of your comfort zone in your personal or work lives. I think that living life means that you should take a chance on something you want to achieve.  I am watching four extremely talented people in my life right now who are really putting themselves out there and working creatively as… Read More

Holiday Survival Tips

November 27th, 2012
Posted By:

Finding Inner Peace During the Holiday Season Whether it’s Thanksgiving, Christmas or Hanukkah, the holiday season is filled with lots of conflicting memories and overwhelming expectations. Let’s be real: There is no such thing as a perfect holiday. There is only the holiday that you create yourself and celebrate, hopefully with people you care about and people who also care about you. The size of the decorations, the cost of the decorations, the number of parties, the quantity of food and alcohol and the amount of presents has nothing to do with the happiness you may or may not feel… Read More

Your Digital Legacy

November 20th, 2012
Posted By:

Every day, several times a day, you electronically email or text someone, update your Facebook status, Tweet, take a picture on your phone or record a moment from your life which you want to save and remember. Just as the internet opened up a whole new world of information sharing in a way no one could have ever foreseen, these electronic tools such as iPhones, computers and other gadgets strive to further break down the walls of communication and help us share everything in a way that wasn’t possible even five years ago. But with these communication opportunities comes a… Read More