by Sydell Weiner | Aug 15, 2019 | Bereavement, Grief, Grief Support, Losing a Loved One, Losing a Spouse
The hospital smells of disinfectant, trying to mask the presence of illness and grief. I walk into my husband’s room and give him a hug. I hold on tight, and even though he’s too weak to reciprocate, I relish the familiar touch and feel of his skin. How, I...
by Sydell Weiner | Aug 14, 2019 | Grief, Grief Support, Losing a Loved One, Losing a Spouse, Losing a Spouse, Surviving loss
“In a world where you can be anything, be kind.” This quote is getting thousands of “Likes” on Facebook, but are acts of kindness what we practice in our everyday lives? In March of 2002, my husband Rex and I moved to a small fixer upper in...
by Sydell Weiner | Jan 16, 2018 | Age related Issues, Aging, Bereavement, Grief, Grief Support, Losing a Loved One, Losing a Spouse, Losing a Spouse, Surviving loss
I used to be pretty, I mean cheerleader, actress, head-turning pretty. Fortunately, I was also smart. I learned early that it would take more than good looks to make my way in the world. And as much as I’m struggling with aging, it’s harder for women whose...
by Sydell Weiner | Jan 15, 2018 | Bereavement, Early Mother Loss, Grief, Grief Support, Losing a Loved One
I ride to the cemetery with my step-sister’s daughter, a red-headed beauty who always makes me feel included. My step-brother’s daughter is sitting in the back with her husband and they are all sharing memories. Their beloved grandmother passed away...
by Sydell Weiner | Jan 14, 2018 | Bereavement, Early Mother Loss, Grief, Grief Support, Losing a Loved One, Motherless Daughters, Surviving loss
I reach for some strawberries as my father unpacks them from his grocery bag. “No, sweetheart,” he says, “we’re saving those for mommy.” I’m 12 or 13, and my mother is sick in bed. My father reassures me that she’ll get well, so I...
by Sydell Weiner | Jan 3, 2018 | Aging, Bereavement, Grief, Grief Support, Losing a Loved One, parenting, Relationships
“Mommy, can you sew a button on my P.E. uniform?” “Ma, I sat on my homework and it’s wrinkled, can you iron it?” “Mom, I signed you up to bring cookies on Thursday, OK?” These are the sounds that filled my home for over...