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Improving Quality of Life – Blog #21
“A range of studies reveal the powerful effects grief can have on the body. Grief increases inflammation, which can worsen health problems you already have and cause new ones. It batters the immune system, leaving you depleted and vulnerable to infection. The heartbreak of grief can increase blood pressure and the risk of blood clots.…
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Complicated Grief – Blog #20
I was completely overcome with thoughts of Ryan from the moment I found out about his accident. At first all I could do was try to get to him. My friends came over and were trying desperately to get me a plane to Texas. We have a tiny airport in our town that has commercial…
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Ten Years Later, A Place to Remember – Blog #19
Grief is the price we pay for love. — Queen Elizabeth II Ten years ago marked the biggest loss of my life! I remember every moment that night, every decision we had to make. The unbearable pain leading up to our son’s final moment, and then, all the chaos that followed. We knew right away…
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Best Days of My Life – Blog #18
Whenever I hear the song: “Best Day of My Life,” by American Authors… I think of Ryan. Mostly because of the day he called me upset that he had a tick infestation and he said “Well this is probably the worst day of my life!” I remember thinking for a split second that I was…
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The Adventures of Hammer (Ryan’s Dog) – Blog #17
“Dogs come into our lives to teach us about love, they depart from our lives to teach us about loss. A new dog never replaces an old dog, it merely expands the heart.” – Liam J. Barnes Ryan loved dogs and had a special bond with our family pets growing up. When he was 4,…
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One Person is Enough- Blog #16
Actions do speak louder than words, but actions do not define who a person is, their life, nor their being. Why is it easier to say my loved one died of natural causes, or cancer, or even heart disease than it is to say they died from drug addiction, or suicide? Saying my sister died…
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My heart hurts! – Blog #15
It feels like an apocalypse is coming sometimes. I spend so much of my life waiting for worst case scenarios. I learned a long time ago to never think that things can’t get worse… life can always get worse! I’ve been feeling pretty good. Writing my blogs has helped a ton. I talked to my…
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Remembering Ryan Blog #14
“Just as you knew you loved him and could remember him on demand before he died, the same will be true now and into the rest of your life.” – Karen Nicola I fear losing memories… especially of Ryan. It is said that after people die, it is their voice that people usually forget first.…
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Visiting Texas – Blog #13
I met Jason at a restaurant in Dallas. Jason was the one that was holding the gun when it went off and shot Ryan. My mother went with me. I was so nervous to meet him. I could tell he was scared when I saw him. We hugged and he said he was sorry. I…
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A Chosen Mother – Blog #12
“There is a unique pain that comes from preparing a place in your heart for a child that never comes.” – David Platt I wanted to take the time to honor all the grieving mothers this week. Unfortunately, I know way too many. It is every mother’s worst fear, only when it happens, it becomes…
Opening Up After Life's Traumatic Experiences
Life after childhood cancer, abuse, family addictions, death of my son, suicide of my husband, and more.