Mid-Life Aging… Gracefully

I’ve been reading a book called The Age of Miracles by Marianne Williamson and enjoying the conversation about mid-life and the aging process for the baby boomer generation.  Having time to think during my rehabilitation the past several months has brought to mind decisions I wanted to put off for a few more years.  Like what?  Well [...]

June 15, 2010 · Mary · No Comments
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I Remember Susie

I’ve been re-reading the book by Thomas Ellis on This Thing Called Grief.  I want to be prepared for the Anniversary of my sister Susie’s death, she died unexpectedly last April.  During the past few weeks I’ve been thinking of my sister as I go about my daily routine, pictures and memories just seem to pop into my [...]

March 30, 2010 · Mary · No Comments
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Begin Here “Helping Survivors Manage”

Healing is hard work, it may not seem so but it is.  I’ve been home bound as I wait for my broken ankle to heal and for me the hard part is learning to be patient.   You’ll understand my disappointment when I say I got a call from my doctor this week  to tell me the new x-ray shows [...]

January 6, 2010 · Mary · No Comments
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Holiday Healing

Taking time to heal these past few weeks has been a gift; I’ve realized how many caring family and friends I have.  I’m grateful for all those that have continued to take time these past five weeks (yes it’s been five weeks already) to call, send notes, bring food and gifts or just stop by [...]

December 19, 2009 · Mary · No Comments
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Dementia and Aging

 On Saturday we celebrated my brother in law’s 50th Birthday with family and friends and we all had a fabulous time.  There was music, warm conversation, good food, a few gifts and lots of funny birthday cards that focused on “turning 50″ with a few stereotypes about getting old.   During dinner a friend happened to ask a question about dementia [...]

October 12, 2009 · Mary · One Comment
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Caring for our Aging Parents

As I read the email from my dear friend in Canada I wish I was there in person to support her as I tell her we’ve all had experience with helping our parents through illness, transition and even endings.   I tell her it doesn’t matter that we are nurses or that we have experience in [...]

August 24, 2009 · Mary · No Comments
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Things I Learned about the Tasks that follow Death

I’ve done a bit of research on information that would have been helpful a few weeks ago on “what to do when a loved one dies.”  I remember asking our funeral home director if they had a checklist on to help us organize all the tasks to be done and I was surprised when he said “we don’t [...]

June 24, 2009 · Mary · No Comments
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Finding Your Healing Space

Healing Pup
I’ve been reading and working on “This Thing Called Grief – New Understandings of Loss” by Thomas M. Ellis, the book and the center he directs in St. Paul was recommended by my friend Leslye.  As I let go of the daily work I was doing to close out my sister’s affairs I begin to [...]

June 18, 2009 · Mary · No Comments
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The Healing Path

One of the kindest things about losing a loved one is that we tend to remember only the most wonderful stories about that person, all else is unimportant and forgotten.  As I think of my sister Susie and look at her pictures and memorabilia surrounding me I remember all the most funny and delightful experiences we shared as sisters.   I’m glad May is [...]

June 15, 2009 · Mary · One Comment
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Embracing a Joyous Life

I wrote a small item awhile ago on my friend Sherry a Breast Cancer Survivor; although new at the business of “thriving” she is running joyously toward her new beginnings.  I received her email blast last evening where she routed her wedding pictures to those of us who are fortunate to be in her circle [...]

May 5, 2009 · Mary · One Comment
Tags: , , , , , , , , , , ,  · Posted in: Healing