Q. I’m debating whether to send flowers to a client whose father died or to make a contribution in memory of the person. In the latter case, how can I be sure the client will be notified of the donation? I’ve never done this before.…

I am really missing my oldest brother. We just buried him on Monday. I'm really filling bad about his death because I wasn't really there for him like I ought to have been and my conscious is eating me up . I've asked God to forgive me, but I can't seem to forgive myself. I need strength to get through this, but I really don't know how to. My brother had been sick many for years, and even close to death, but he pulled through every time! I thought that he would be here for a long time. I was…

 Currently practicing as a psychiatric nurse and often come across so many people that do not have advance directives. Its so vital that we all take a look at our families and make sure you have Health Care Power of Attorneys or Living Wills. Yes even wills. Local Attorney offices can assist you and even medical professionals.There is must less frustration with advance planning.

Proverbs 15:22

I do not remember how to start a group. Can anyone help me please? Thank you, in advance.

At times family and friends may say the wrong things because they just don't know what to say. For example, "I know how you feel".......You think, " You don't"...we can try to be patient but it can be challenging. Colossians 3:12,13

"Each person has to work out the grief in his or her own way.

▪ Keep busy and continue your routine of work and activity.  Many expressed the great help they received from prayer.…

The telephone was once the culprit. When it rang at 2 or 3 a.m., you knew it meant bad news. Now, in the era of 24/7 communications, we receive bad news at any time and in any form, whether it’s an email, text message, Skype, Facetime, Facebook post, Twitter or even Facebook…

Q. My husband died a few months ago, and I've got a pile of sympathy cards and notes to respond to, not to mention messages posted on the funeral home website and elsewhere online. He knew a lot of people. Do I have to write to everyone, and how much time do I have to do it? I feel overwhelmed.

Responding to expressions of sympathy has always been a monumental task for widows. It's hard enough to put one foot in…

I currently sleep in the guest room of my house. The other room I used to sleep in – which I have been calling the “hospice room”--is now a more hallowed space. That room was redesigned just prior to death of the woman who had accompanied me through life and parenting for 27 years. We’d only been married for 6 months, due to a 5-hour period during which same-sex couples were allowed to marry in Michigan.  The death was unanticipated; diagnosis of advanced breast cancer, just one year earlier…

Hi I am Lisa I lost my granddaughter Alexis on 11/02/14 to a congenital heart defect. I have lost a granchild before but the pain seems so much more unbearable. My sweet baby endured 2 open heart surgeries, 3 heart caths, a trach, and a GJ tube. We had hopes that she would be able to get a heart transplant but were denied by 4 hospitals. This precious angel went thru all this and still managed to smile unless she was feeling really bad. We lost her at 15 months of age. We also found out that…

  Not sure if I'm doing this right.  I want to let everyone new family and older ones.  I'm coming on the 7th yr. of losing Rich.  I've been blessed.  No more tears.  Just smiles.  I even feel guilty.  The idea of sharing our happy memories sounds wonderful, for those of us that have reached that point. For some parents , we all pray that your time will come soon.

My mom was an English teacher who taught for several years in an inner-city school. Many of her eighth-grade students read on the third-grade level, and my mom said if she taught one child to read each year, it was a successful year. She taught many children…

Q. I’m preparing an obituary in advance for my elderly father and want to include a photograph. How much extra does a photo cost, and what are the guidelines? Also, what do you think about using a photo from 40 years ago when he was healthy and…

Six traps when it comes to Depression

1)Social Withdrawal - (Proverbs 18:1)

2) Rumination

3) Alcohol Abuse (Proverbs 20:1)

4)No Exercise (lack of)

5) Sugar Highs

6) Negative Thinking (Philippians 4:6,7)

How Can I Live With My Grief?

“I FELT a lot of pressure on me to hold in my feelings,” explains Mike in recalling his father’s death. To Mike, suppressing his grief was the manly thing to do. Yet he later realized that he was wrong. So when Mike’s friend lost his grandfather, Mike knew what to do. He says: “A couple of years ago, I would have patted him on the shoulder and said, ‘Be a man.’ Now I touched his arm…

When I met my boyfriend last December, his father was already fighting lymphoma.  Both his parents live with him and his family (siblings, nieces, nephews) is very close. There were times we did not see each other much due to him caring for his father. We did maintain communication through email, texts and phone calls.  His father died in early November and for a few weeks, we talked and even saw each other.

Three weeks after his father's death, we were texting and he wrote to…

(Isaiah 41:10) Do not be afraid, for I am with you. Do not be anxious, for I am your God. I will fortify you, yes, I will help you, I will really hold on to you with my right hand of righteousness.’

(Isaiah 41:13) For I, Jehovah your God, am grasping your right hand, The One saying to you, ‘Do not be afraid. I will help you.’

May you all draw comfort and strength from God during this time of sorrow.

With each passing year missing you does not become easier just more bearable. As I watch your children grow I know how proud you'd be of them Brett. Each of them reminding me more of you each day. Ethan and his quirks, his personal style and his soft heart. Aidan with his gift of laughter, his way of lighting up a room, his comedic ways so much like you.And Bitsy your child of the heart. Brett she is a little person of her own you'd laugh at her qualms, her personality so bold her love of…