by Christine Hammond on November 28, 2021
For the first time in 16 years, Janice was going to spend Thanksgiving without her kids. Even though the divorce was finalized in the summer, she did not realize until a week before the holiday that her kids would spend the entire week with her ex. She was devastated. The traditions she so purposefully cultivated… (more…)
by Christine Hammond on December 6, 2019
Dorothy lost her husband of 30 years this past year. She knew the holidays would be hard but didn’t know they would be this difficult. Every ornament she hung reminded her of him. The cookies she baked were his favorites. Even her adult kids couldn’t help but talk about what their dad would be doing…. (more…)
by Christine Hammond on February 7, 2019
Margie was devastated when her mother passed away. Her mom was diagnosed with cancer one month and then gone by the next. She had a close relationship with her mom and frequently leaned on her for support in her marriage, parenting her kids, and balancing family and work. The loss left a huge hole in… (more…)
by Christine Hammond on January 6, 2018
It was only after the nursing home started setting decorating for Christmas that Norman realized this would be the first year without his wife at home. Worse yet, based on his last visit with her, she most likely would not remember any part of their 50 years together. The Alzheimer’s had taken over her brain… (more…)
by Christine Hammond on October 12, 2017
Perhaps a new custody agreement has the kids spending the holidays with their other parent. Or perhaps this is the first holiday after the death of a loved one. Or perhaps a family member is deployed with limited contact. Or perhaps a recent break-up in a relationship immediately changes the plans already made. Whichever the… (more…)
by Christine Hammond on December 13, 2016
It is generally accepted that there are five stages of grief: denial, anger, bargaining, depression and acceptance. Following a death, these stages can be done consecutively or in a mixed order. There is no proper way to manage grief other than to go through the entire process and not stay stuck in denial. However, when… (more…)
by Christine Hammond on June 21, 2016
Not everyone grieves in the same way. People have different physical appearances, perspectives, experiences, thoughts, emotions, backgrounds, relationships, and attitudes. So when it comes to grieving, there are many healthy forms with the exception of one: not grieving. Embracing grief is a willingness to accept the fluctuating emotions, random thoughts, internal struggles, constant questions, and… (more…)
by Christine Hammond on May 5, 2015
Not everyone grieves in the same way. After all, there are different people with different physical appearances, perspectives, experiences, thoughts, emotions, backgrounds, and attitudes. So why when it comes to grief do some believe that there is one correct way to handle the loss of a loved one? There are in fact a number of constructive ways to… (more…)
by Christine Hammond on May 10, 2013
For many women, Mother’s Day is the hardest day of the year. Perhaps you are one of these women who have little to no contact with your child, outlived your child, tried unsuccessfully to conceive a child, or lost your child through a miscarriage or abortion. Just the mention of Mother’s Day brings to the… (more…)
by Christine Hammond on September 26, 2012
Out of the blue, you receive a message that someone you loved has passed away. Perhaps it is a sibling, a longtime friend, or close co-worker, he/she is close to you but not one of your immediate family. Whatever the nature of your relationship, the timing of their death is so unexpected that you can… (more…)