I began my career in social services in 1997, working in Edinburgh with people who were living with HIV/AIDS. At that time, Edinburgh was Europe’s “AIDS Capital.” Bereavement was a…
Beyond the Caregiver: Grieving the Loss of an Identity
The Unexpected Grief of No Longer Being a Caregiver “To be needed is a great thing, but to be unnecessary is even greater.” — Maya Angelou When caregiving ends, whether…
When Kids Grieve
Grief makes for a difficult journey, no matter your age, gender, or background. However, for a young person, it can be especially confusing. The average child or teen hasn’t had…
Grief: Not Running Away From It
I like to say the biggest gift my mom ever gave me was her depression. In many ways, it’s the gift that keeps on giving. Even as I near my…
The Profound Shift: Life Before and After Loss
After grief, it’s as if a person has lived two separate lives: the before and the after. All experiences seem to fall into one of those two categories. Life changes…
Navigating a New “Normal” After My Mother Passed
It’s been over a year since I lost my mom. Honestly, I try not to count and track the time, as I’m always worried I’ll obsess over it and make…
The Grief of Late Neurodivergence Diagnosis
Grief is skilled at finding the hidden corners of our lives where we never expect to meet it. Forthose of us who discover our neurodivergence later in life, the grief…
Finding Light in the Darkness: A Mother’s Journey Through Grief After Child Loss
In June of 2016, my family changed forever when my ten-year-old daughter passed away. She’d had a lengthy battle with cancer, and while her treatments had been successful, they had…
Living With – And Through – Intense Grief
Have you ever felt like you were drowning? It’s a startling feeling. It begins with you feeling as if you have no control over your body and your surroundings. That…
Beyond Breastfeeding: Embracing Grief and Unconditional Love
I always envisioned breastfeeding as a sacred rite of passage into motherhood—a seamless continuation of nurturing my child, just as I had throughout pregnancy. To hold my baby close, providing…
