MartyT

Have you considered having Kodie neutered, Kay? I understand that dogs can also be sterilized using vasectomy as an alternative . . .

Hello Dear Ones, Happy summer. I have been back in New Hampshire this summer to reconnect with family and friends. I hope you have found moments of grace this summer too. I want to let you know about a Grief Summit that is starting next week, on August 31, called "Journey Through Grief with Grace." I am one of the guest speakers and the series is FREE. There are 20 speakers with a wealth of wisdom about how to transform and heal your pain. Check it out and register here: https://journeythroughgriefwithgrace.com/3iuk Wishing you peace, Ashley

No disagreement there, Kay. If ever I disagreed with your sound advice that you give so freely and so generously in this forum, I would say so. ❤️

Yes, you have, and yes you do! ❤️

There are dozens of resources "out there" that you may find helpful, and links to many of them are listed here ~ but if it seems like too much information, perhaps there is someone in your circle who can review this list for you: Caregiving in Alzheimer's and Dementia: Suggested Resources ❤️

Remember also that ours is a skewed sample of self-selected individuals whose presence in this forum reflects its title: Loss of a Love Relationship. Those whose issues were resolved successfully and whose relationships survived aren't likely to post here.

All is well here in Florida, Kay. This storm passed us by ~ but it surely is wreaking havoc on the East Coast. I wonder what would happen if you told your sister that you realize that she wants you to take her to the doctor on 9/3, but it will not be possible for you to do that. In other words, what would happen if you just said NO? ❤️

Hello and welcome! If your husband died just six weeks ago, you've barely just begun what will be for you a journey that is unique to you alone. We know a lot about what is considered "normal" in grief, and you can read lots of articles and books and research on the topic. Still, it must be said that how grief is felt and experienced varies with the person who is feeling and experiencing it. It's as unique to you as your fingerprint. That's because so many individual factors are involved: how your person died; how attached you were to each other; how old you are now and how much life you've lived already; what support you have available to you; your own past experiences with significant loss; your particular personality traits, how resilient you are, and how you've coped with past losses and challenges; what you were taught about grief and expressing your thoughts and feelings as a child ~ these are just some of the factors that will affect how you mourn the loss of your husband. I encourage you to let yourself think and feel whatever comes to you along the way, without worrying about or passing judgment on how you (or others) think you're "supposed" to think or feel. You will get through this loss the same way you've dealt with other significant challenges in your life ~ and we are here to offer whatever information, comfort, guidance and support you may want and need along the way. ❤️

Is Anger One of the Stages of Grief? In Grief: Acknowledging Jealousy and Anger

What you want is understandable, but judging by her behavior she has stopped being your "best friend" ~ if indeed she ever was. I'm sure her returning these items (which clearly meant so much to you) must feel like a kick in the gut ~ something akin to her putting the last nail in the coffin. Still, she does acknowledge your thoughtfulness in giving these things to her, and she is being honest when she says it didn't feel right for her to keep them. It seems to me that this statement tells you all you need to know about this relationship. I hope that with the sadness you are feeling, you'll also allow yourself to feel the anger and the pain. You are mourning the loss of something that meant the world to you ~ and your loss is worthy of your grief. I'm so sorry this has happened to you . . .

If you choose to believe it, and if it brings you comfort to do so, who is to say that you are wrong? ❤️ You'll find more on this topic here: After-Death Communication: A List of Resources

Thank you so much for sharing your uplifting and heartwarming story with us, Missy. Blessings to you, and thank you again ❤️

Please talk to your surgeon and anesthesiologist before your surgery (they will stop by to see you just before you're taken to the OR) and let them know of your concerns about post-op pain and ask what they can prescribe for you afterward, Gwen. And know that we're all with you in spirit as you go through this latest challenge. ❤️

Your Molly is adorable, my dear, and we're all so sorry for your loss. You've found your way to a "tribe" of kindred spirits here: We are animal lovers all, and we know how much it hurts when the time comes for these precious souls to leave us. I hope it brings you comfort to know that you are not alone in your grief. Today just happens to be the birthday of my own beloved fur baby, and I miss him as much today as I did when I wrote this nearly ten years ago: Saying Goodbye to Beringer❤️

We hear ya, dear Kay! Any word on when it will be safe for you to go back to your own home? ❤️

We're all thinking of you and pulling for you, Gwen. I'm so sorry this is happening to you. How I wish we could make it all go away. Keep us posted as you are able to do so, and know that we care . . . ❤️

The Institute warmly invites you to participate in these upcoming programs. Each is designed to provide comforting insight and inspiration as you walk along your grief journey or help others on their path. Click on the "REGISTER" button to sign up. Live webinars include a Q&A session, giving you the opportunity to submit a question to the speaker. Asking for Help When You Are Grieving August 17 | Noon - 1:00 pm ET Live Webinar There are many reasons it can be difficult to ask for help when we need it, and grief can make it more challenging. There could be fear that we are bothering someone with our problems. Maybe grief has taken too much energy and we can't figure out what we need or how to reach out. If a prior request for help or support was met with unhelpful or hurtful responses, we may hesitate to ask again. Join Dr. Ken Doka as he explores these realities and offers useful exercises and ideas to both ask for and offer support when someone is grieving. Presenter: Ken Doka, PhD, MDiv, TAPS Advisory Board Member Intended Audience: Anyone interested in improving their ability to ask for support from others while grieving or those who want to learn ways to offer support to a griever. Continuing Education Information: Continuing education credit is not available. REGISTER "You Don't Know How I Feel" - Navigating Conversations Around Personal Loss August 31 | Noon - 1:00 pm ET Live Webinar People sometimes say surprising things to those who are grieving the loss of a loved one, often because they frankly just don’t know what to say. In reality, people stumble on words and gestures as they try to create a connection with a griever, possibly comparing a personal loss experience. While their intentions might mean well, how can they know how you feel? Your feelings of grief are yours and yours alone. Join Rachel Kodanaz in a conversation of how to navigate conversations with people whose remarks may feel insensitive. Learn how to develop meaningful ways to respond without feeling angry, guilty, or hurt, and guide the conversation to protect yourself and your feelings. Presenter: Rachel Kodanaz, TAPS Advisory Board Member Intended Audience: Anyone interested in learning how to navigate conversations about their loss. Continuing Education Information: Continuing education credit is not available. REGISTER From Grief to Peace: Journaling for Life After Loss September 21 | Noon - 1:00 pm ET Live Webinar Journaling does more than simply record your day-to-day experience; it helps you organize your thoughts, process traumatic events, and find meaning through your lived experience. The many health benefits of journaling supported by science include reduction in symptoms associated with depression, anxiety, and trauma; improved memory; and increased immune functioning. You don’t even need to be a “good writer” to benefit from journaling. During this workshop you will learn the best practices for journaling and have the opportunity to try it for yourself! Please bring your journal or something to write in or have a blank document open on your computer for practice. Presenter: Heather Stang, MA, C-IAYT Intended Audience: Anyone interested in learning about how journaling can help when coping with grief. Continuing Education Information: Continuing education credit is not available. REGISTER

Dear one, my heart reaches out to you in your pain, and I am so very sorry for the loss of your precious son Joey. Your loss is so recent and so enormous and so, so hard ~ and I'm sure you're still in a state of shock, just as your other children and your husband must be. As you say, everyone in your home is suffering. While I am pleased that you've found your way here, I hope you also will consider reaching out to some of the many bereavement resources that are "out there" and readily available to help you and your family find a way through this horrible tragedy. You may not be ready to search for such grief support in your community just yet, and that's okay. Maybe a friend or relative would be willing to help you with this. In any event, I want to point you to where you (or they) might begin. The following article lists links to a vast array of articles, blogs, books, interviews, websites and organizations aimed at parents just like you: Resources for Bereaved Parents. In the meantime, know that you are most welcome here, and we stand ready to offer you the reliable information, comfort and support you need and deserve. Feel free to share your thoughts and feelings with us, ask us any questions you may have, and know that we will do our best to respond. ❤️

Unless you lead her to believe that, dear Kay. I hope you will stick to your guns. As long as you are there for her to manipulate and rely upon for her every need, she doesn't have to find someone else. I don't for a moment mean to imply that saying "no" is easy for you ~ especially since you are such a caring, giving person ~ but there comes a time when you must say "enough"! Your sister may not have anyone else to take care of her (except you) ~ but you don't have anyone else to take care of YOU either (except you). Your first responsibility is to take care of YOU. And if you need all of us to keep reminding you of that, we are here to do that, and we are pulling for YOU. ❤️

No need to apologize for expressing your thoughts and feelings here, my friend. You don't say how your friend died. If you care to share any of the details, we might be better able to offer the information and support you need and deserve. In any event, we are here for you, we care about you, and we are listening ❤️