Commentary

Gratitude Can Help Us Deal With Pain

"How can I be thankful for anything when I am mourning my deceased loved one? I can't begin to think about appreciation or being grateful." These comments are quite understandable early in the grief process.

Where Are You Going?

The young man was lonely and depressed. He walked out of his apartment and just kept walking. After going a few miles it dawned on him that he would have to stop at some point. A bridge went over several large streams. After crossing he went to his right. He had been here many times before.

Thinking Out Loud

"How can I be thankful for anything when I am mourning my deceased loved one? I can't begin to think about appreciation or being grateful." These comments are quite understandable early in the grief process.

Are You Feeling Alone?

The young man posted on Facebook that he was feeling worthless. People were not coming around like they once did. He felt that they were lying to him. He wondered why he was alive. Are you feeling alone? This is the loneliest time of year, especially for the elderly.

“Coddling Is A Killer”

Early in our marriage, we were both employed at a large feed, seed and fertilizer company. Its walk-in store was extremely busy from local traffic in the spring, due to the seed and garden plants it carried. Andy was a salesman on the floor, while Renie worked in the offices.

Up, Down, and All Around

It has been said by those in the know that the process of grief and loss has stages. While it is agreed these stages don't necessarily show up in predictable patterns or in specific order, there's much more to the grief process than stages. The work of Kubler-Ross is important.

How’s Life Going For You?

Have you ever thought about living in “the good ‘ol days”? Most of us have fond memories of times past. Maybe you recall parents who are long deceased or perhaps a sibling who took you fishing for the first time.

Family Discussions

Two dogs were resting under a tree in the park. Butch, the collie said, “Look at that dog walking with his master. He has no freedom like we do while he is on that leash.” The other dog, a shepherd named Sleepy replied, “Actually, he has no freedom even off the leash.

Small Town Talk

This is my favorite season of the year. I love to watch the colors of the leaves change from green to orange and red. The air is cool and people are breaking out their jackets. When you look around you see pumpkins and scarecrows adorning people’s front porch.