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 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 5, 2018 | Artistic Genius, Bereavement, Grief Support, Life after Death, Losing a Loved One, Losing a Spouse, Losing a Spouse, Relationships, Set Design, Surviving loss
As a director of theatre, I always appreciated the art of collaboration. Besides working with actors, I worked hard to bring together set, lighting and costume designers. When creative artists are open and feed off each other’s ideas, we do our best work. But at...
by Sydell Weiner | Nov 25, 2017 | Artistic Genius, Bereavement, Genius, Losing a Spouse, Relationships, Set Design, Surviving loss
My husband Rex was a brilliant set designer. He did his best work in the scene shop behind the theatre at Cal State Dominguez Hills, where we worked together for 25 years. The shop was 50 x 100 feet with 30 foot ceilings, and every inch had a designated...
by Sydell Weiner | Nov 24, 2017 | Bereavement, Grief, Grief Support, Losing a Loved One, Losing a Spouse, Surviving loss
I move the books on my wall unit so they’re grouped by height. Am I being OCD, or is this just how I cope? Standing back to admire my work, I think, “Hmmm…I need a vase or a sculpture next to the books on the second shelf.” I try a red...