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Dear Annie, Thanks for the idea of sending our love to our mothers. Tomorrow, here in Phoenix, we are having an ice cream social remembrance to honor our mom's on mother's day. I will include your suggestion with the 70+ people who will be attending. In fact, as part of our closing ritual, we will gather in a circle, hold hands, say each mom's first name, and send our love in unison. I will also send my love on Sunday at noon. I am honoring my grandmother, Meta, who helped raise me and inspired me to help others. Her teaching to me for a good life was: faith, family, and philanthropy. Love, Dee, Bereavement Counselor

Oftentimes, our grief becomes more acute 5-6 months after the death and we feel like this horrible pain will never go away. Trust that by allowing yourself to feel the emotions and talk about your grief, you are helping yourself work through it. Remember that each of your family members is grieving also in their own way which may be different from yours. Some people can express emotions outwardly, some not so much. Impatience and irritability are common symptoms of grief and often affects family communication and relationships. Acknowledging one another's pain and communicating your needs (quiet space, hug, etc) helps. Using this website will help too. The emotions of grief are like riding a wave; some waves are more powerful than others and you may feel like you're getting a beating as you ride them out. Eventually you will get to the stable shore again.