On the one-year anniversary of my grandpa's death, this post relates some of what I learned first-hand about death, dying and grief. Every death and every grief feels different, and individuals express and cope with grief differently. By listening to one another's experiences, we can learn and understand and, ultimately, recognize a bit of ourselves in each other. Read more →

Today the songs I'm sharing are in memory of my grandpa, who died a year ago. I think of Gramps when I hear this music from John Gorka, Alison Krauss & Robert Plant and Local Natives and feel comforted by the songs. What music has brought you comfort in times of grief? Read more →

On a Christmas afternoon a few years ago, I remember noticing my gray-haired grandparents sitting quietly in the center of the room, contently observing the noisy holiday chaos. This year, my family will celebrate its first Christmas without Gramps. Read more →

In today's post, I explore Prompt #3 from #WEverb11: "Learn. What lesson did you learn in 2011 from 'The School of Life' rather than a classroom?" What I learned through life in 2011 is that risk can lead to rewards. What lesson did your 2011 life experience teach you? Leave a comment here, or connect with me on twitter. Read more →

Six months ago today, my 86-year-old grandpa died at home on a beautiful early-Spring afternoon. During Grandpa's last ten days, I came to understand that death, just like life, is a miracle. Over and over, I have replayed the simple, now-sacred moments I had spent with Gramps during those last days. Though my grief has lightened, I don’t know that it will ever go away. Read more →