Daddies Day

June 19th, 2011
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This post is a big shout out to all of the wonderful men out there who love and provide for their beautiful children.  If your Dad is no longer alive, I hope you tell funny and sentimental stories about him today or think about the special things you did together.  I’d also like to give some recognition to the fantastic men who continually reach out to the children who need a Dad in their lives.

Father’s Day is a celebration of all Dads and all of the important emotional and material contributions they make for the good of their families … Read More

Cry, Laugh, Heal Has A New Look!

June 3rd, 2011
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Check out the new look of Cry, Laugh, Heal (www.crylaughheal.com) and let me know what you think. I recently re-designed the blog in order to give it a fresher feel.  I hope you find it easier to read and more pleasing to the eye. I truly appreciate everyone’s ongoing support and feedback. Please pass along the good word about Cry, Laugh, Heal. Follow Cry, Laugh, Heal on Facebook at www.facebook.com/crylaughheal or sign up on this blog page http://www.crylaughheal.blogspot.com/ to become a follower. Thank you to my wonderful readers! You are the best!!… Read More

Can We Tawk? Please?

May 30th, 2011
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  Reach out and listen No matter what phase of grief you find yourself in, people usually are curious to know if what they are feeling and doing is the “normal” way to handle their situation.  I think this happens because grief is not a subject considered to be mainstream.  It makes people uncomfortable and is not discussed as freely and as frankly as you might discuss other subjects, say food or men. People don’t bring it up because they think it will upset you, they are anxious about their emotions or they just have no idea what to say. … Read More

Change, Changed & Changing

May 28th, 2011
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Not everything that is faced can be changed, but nothing can be changed until it is faced. — Author James Baldwin Isn’t it tiresome being a one-person team?  Don’t you wish that sometimes you could delegate all of your errands and responsibilities to someone else?  Please, please don’t make me……. I would love to be irresponsible; not permanently, but just for a short amount of time.  I would love to take a break from the constant decision making and problem solving; to get in the car and drive somewhere and escape for a bit. Please join me if you feel,… Read More

Discovering Kris Carr

May 22nd, 2011
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A relative who is also a close friend was recently diagnosed with breast cancer and while visiting her she introduced me to the awesome books written by The New York Times best-selling author Kris Carr. I don’t know how I missed her but I am now totally taken with her philosophy of assessing your personal priorities in order to successfully battle cancer and become a “wellness warrior.” Carr’s blueprint for self-examination helps you to take stock of how much you actually exercise (not enough), what you actually eat (room for improvement) and what you should eat (more veggies) to how… Read More

Connecting The Grief Dots

May 7th, 2011
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Grief is a lot of work.  I know that sounds ridiculous but it’s true. And some days I just don’t want to deal with it.  Or be reminded of it. Those days would especially include when I have to fill out a government or school form for my son or myself and instead of writing his father’s name, I have to write in “deceased.”  That hurts. Or I get to pick from the selections of my status: single, married, divorced or widowed.  After eight years, you would think I would be used to answering these questions but it still pulls… Read More

The Twin Towers, the Pentagon & Flight 93

May 3rd, 2011
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When President Obama officially announced on television late last night that Osama bin Laden had been killed by U.S. forces in Pakistan, my thoughts went immediately to the relatives and friends of the thousands of people whose lives were lost in the Twin Towers, the Pentagon and Flight 93. For almost ten years, these people have been trying to put the pieces of their shattered lives back together so that they may heal and perhaps build some kind of a future after having their loved ones violently taken from them. I wondered how and what they were feeling now that… Read More

Home Sweet Home — Options For Housing Alternatives

April 23rd, 2011
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For some reason, people think that becoming a widow and moving to a new place to live go hand-in-hand.  I’m not quite sure why this is, but it’s one of the most common questions asked of a newly widowed person.  In fact, someone once joked that maybe real estate agents and funeral directors network off the same list of people. I guess the questions, “When are you moving?” or “When are you selling your house?” are asked so often because people may be nervous about what to say around you so they end up blurting out questions like these.  Or… Read More

To Party Or Not

April 10th, 2011
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This year I have had two large parties at my house…and to my surprise, I have enjoyed myself.  One was for a family member who was celebrating a BIG birthday and the other was on New Year’s Day for my son and my best friends.  This may not sound like a big deal — but it is. With the exception of family events that happened after my husband’s death, I haven’t been ready to celebrate anything or plan for a party that would take place just to have fun.  In order to give a party, you have to be ready… Read More