Thanksgiving Thoughts

First I want to wish everyone a blessed and peaceful Thanksgiving holiday. For the newly bereaved , please understand that the emotions of grief can be more intensified during the holiday season and that this is a normal part of our journeys.  As you progress in your journeys it is my hope that you acquire the support and tools necessary to help you adjust to the physical absence of your loved ones. In the seven plus years since Jeannine's death I have learned to adjust better to the ups and downs of the holidays by reaching out to others and focusing on the present moment. I have also come to believe that Jeannine is not only my beautiful daughter, but my beautiful spiritual partner in my journey as well. That has also helped me adjust better to her physical absence. It is my hope for the newly bereaved, that you will learn to adjust to your new reality and find joy and meaning amidst sadness.

All things connected

I had a very inspirational and spiritual weekend with friends in Long Island last weekend. I have been on a spiritual journey ever since my daughter Jeannine died in 2003. I have undergone a spiritual transformation where I believe that relationships do not end because our loved ones have died and that all things are connected. I have come to recently discover that events that occurred during my early grief journey are connected to events that occur in the present moment for me. I recently discovered the strengths of those connections during my recent trip and that love does reign eternal.

Random Thoughts About Grief

Hi everyone:
This post is excerpted from a book which I co-authored with Linda Findlay of Mourning Discoveries on navigating through grief during the holidays. You can find more information on our book at www.mourningdiscoveries.com or at www.bootsyandangel.com  Here it is:


1. You can't control when grief hits you, no matter how hard you try.
2. Everyone grieves at their own pace and in their own way.
3. Our deceased loved ones are always with us ,and we can still have relationships with them.
4. Time doesn't always heal, but gives us an opportunity to adjust to a new reality.
5. In time, you will have more good days than bad.
6. Do not underestimate the power of a really good support network.
7. Grief may make you feel crazy, but it doesn't mean you are crazy.
8. The grief journey is never linear, but it is always circular.