That Sunday happened to be Mother’s Day, and it was difficult not having Alex home with me and the kids. I knew he was right where he needed to be, however. I just wasn’t expecting the phone call I received from him Sunday night. Alex was told that Dad’s heart had stopped beating, but they … Continue reading Alive Again, Part 3 (35/40)

In January 2015, the husband of a friend was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer. The diagnosis for this man who was in great health came so suddenly and shockingly to everyone, but even more appalling was that it took his life just two months later. No hope was ever offered, except that of a miracle. But … Continue reading Alive Again, Part 2 (34/40)

Writing has the power to immortalize a person in a fascinating way, I have learned. I’ve been reading my aunt’s book, Starting with Goodbye: A Daughter’s Memoir of Love after Loss, over the last few weeks, savoring every minute. The book is about my grandfather, my aunt’s father, about their relationship before and after his … Continue reading Alive Again, Part 1 (33/40)

Almost exactly five years ago, I wrote a blog post whose title I’d never forget. “The Day My Husband Didn’t Die.” I can still remember exactly where I was, how I felt, what I was doing just before I wrote it. And how the Fear had gripped me. The Fear that my husband would die … Continue reading The Day My Husband Didn’t Die, Part 2 (30/40)

Do you have a dream? From the time we’re children, most of us have dreams of the future—what we will do as a profession, who we will marry, how many children we’ll have of our own—things of that nature. Then, there are those “other” dreams, the ones we may have talked about as young adults, … Continue reading When It’s Time (27/40)