Tag Archives: Grief

The Talmud

“Do not be daunted by the enormity of the world’s grief. Do justly now. Love mercy, now. Walk humbly now. You are not obligated to complete the work, but neither are you free to abandon it.”

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Greener Pastures

Families can participate in every aspect of natural services: They can carry their loved one to the grave, help place them inside, and fill the grave with soil. The intimacy of this process evokes raw emotion, and that’s cathartic. Afterward, … Continue reading

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One Last Lovely Dinner

My father lay dying of the coronavirus. A normally ebullient 96-year-old, he drifted in and out of consciousness as I, also infected, sat at his bedside. His lucid moments were precious opportunities for connection and FaceTime calls with his grandchildren. … Continue reading

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Hello, Old Friend

Grief was that relative I heard stories about. I knew her in the way I knew Uncle Gerald, someone I never met but learned so much about. Then my husband died, and there Grief was, shaking my hand. I offered … Continue reading

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End-of-life Planning  

Do your parents have a storage unit? What’s your aunt’s Facebook password? Where does your sister keep her diaries? These may seem like minor concerns—but when a loved one becomes terminally ill or dies, knowing those simple details can take … Continue reading

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