Death

  • The Light Within You

    This Spark and Spitfire post introduces a new regular feature and category — Sparks — thoughts, excerpts, rants, etc. — inspired by my current reading. What purpose does religion serve in our lives? Why does religion still exist in the 21st century?… Continue reading

    The Light Within You
  • None of It Mattered

    Two days ago, I witnessed a heartbreaking tragedy unfold on Facebook. I still can’t shake it. A month ago yesterday, I posted about the 10th anniversary of the death of my beloved feline, Isaac. The veterinarian, R (I want to… Continue reading

    None of It Mattered
  • Grief Lessens

    Today is the Feast of the Epiphany, a Christian holiday celebrating the revelation of God the Son as a human being in Jesus Christ. It is also the first anniversary of my mother’s death. There’s not much difference between a… Continue reading

    Grief Lessens
  • Little Blue Dreamer

    Ten years ago today, my beloved feline, Isaac, left this sweet world.  I miss him. He was such a good boy. You haven’t heard from me for a while. I’m sad, laying low. More about my Christmas in the upcoming… Continue reading

    Little Blue Dreamer
  • Aglow — All Saint’s Day 2018

    Today is All Saint’s Day — a Christian festival in honor of all the saints, known and unknown. This year, I remember my mother, who died last January 6. I miss her. I wish I had known her better. I… Continue reading

    Aglow — All Saint’s Day 2018
  • This Little Light

    My mother has been on my mind and heart a lot lately. Like me, her favorite season was Fall; a season she did not experience the last decades of her life when she and my father lived in Orlando, Florida.… Continue reading

    This Little Light
  • A Blackbird’s Song

    Did the song of a blackbird bring comfort to my dying friend? ***** “A blackbird’s song can’t stop disease, but it can offer comfort.” So believes Rachel Clarke, the author of Your Life In My Hands: A Junior Doctor’s Story… Continue reading

    A Blackbird’s Song
  • Sisters Showing Up

    “We are each other’s reference point at our turning points.” This quote from Elizabeth Fishel’s book, Sisters: Shared Histories, Lifelong Ties — a compilation of more than 150 interviews and questionnaires with more than 150 women — describes what my… Continue reading

    Sisters Showing Up
  • Showing Up — Part Two

    My mother died the way she lived — stubbornly and privately. Two weeks earlier she had suffered a catastrophic stroke with no hope for recovery. She had signed an advance directive not to start or continue life-sustaining procedures and was… Continue reading

    Showing Up — Part Two
  • Showing Up — Part One

    “I’m sad that it took the death of my dad to re-connect us.” Three weeks ago on a late Thursday afternoon, I received an email from a former client from whom I hadn’t heard in nearly 13 years. “Hi Sharon… Continue reading

    Showing Up — Part One