Death of A Loved One

Doodles

On the first anniversary, I invited people who would understand – friends who knew Marshal’s love of art, and his creative spirit. They all came.

I had copied several of Marshal’s doodles of incomplete characters and creatures, with some finished for the kids to color. I eagerly watched to see which doodle or drawing each person chose.

Karyn and Aidan – The what if game and guilt

Karyn and Aidan explain how they have dealt with guilt

Kara – “Precious memories”

Kara talks about a special gift of memories. Kara continues to grieve the death of her partner.

Bryan – Helping Others

Bryan explains how his experience with grief has helped him help others and why it’s so important for him.

Cheryl – “My story”

Cheryl talks about her daughter’s organ donations.

Cheryl – “Complicated Grief”

Cheryl discusses unresolved grief.

Andrea – Grieving during a pandemic

Andrea discusses the challenges of grieving during a pandemic

Kim – Self care

Kim talks about looking after yourself and how much it helps. In particular be kind to yourself

Michael – “A story of loss and longing”

Michael relays a story of a man coping after the loss of his wife.

Mourning a Man I Never Knew

This spring, I turned fifty-four. I have now outlived the father I never knew: my biological father. It’s been almost twenty-three years since we spoke; eighteen years since I learned of his death. I’m still dealing with the strange grief of his loss.

Matt – Telling my young son

Matt describes the death of his birth mother to his young son.

Krista – “Feel the feelings”

Krista discusses why she thinks it’s important to deal with feelings. Krista continues to grieve the death of her son from opioid overdose.