Author, Speaker & Grief Counselor
The anniversary of the fire that devastated Lahaina was last month. It has taken me this long to process my feelings about it. My dear friend Waltye Rasulala asked if I had viewed the documentary about the fire. I told her that I could not because it is too hard. … Read the rest
I am in the process of creating a crowd-funding page for my friend Beth and her daughter Becky. My heart aches so badly for them. They are the remaining family members out of five.
Okay, sit down while you read this, because this family’s story is difficult to fathom. Beth … Read the rest
Mother’s Day just passed which also means the anniversary of my son’s death. Time does not heal the pain of grief. I know I have said that over and over. I am proof. It still hurts like crazy and he has been gone for 39 years. It feels like moments … Read the rest
The grief that comes from your child or any loved one dying is horrific. But sometimes surviving sucks too. It is like a spiral. You fight to stay alive by any means possible, but your quality of life can be screwed up forever. I was just talking about how I … Read the rest
What happens when the shock and disbelief wears off? People who have been there for you might drift away, thinking you should be “over it” by now. Those who were steadfast are golden.
Some folks think that the second year of grieving is more challenging. I am sure that is … Read the rest
A love letter from those who have passed on…
Take the love you have for me
And radiate it outwards
Allowing it to touch and impact others
Take the memory you have of me
And use it as a source of inspiration
To live fully, meaningfully, and intentionally
Take the … Read the rest
This year, we put up our Christmas tree super early. My daughter Keili read an article about how putting your tree up early brings you joy. So she was searching for a tree. I got our decorations out and sorted them for her so she could have the ornaments we … Read the rest
It is that time of year again. You may find yourself more sensitive, irritable, less patient, and sad right now. The first few years after your loss, you expect to feel poorly on birthdays and holidays, mainly because others have warned you. If you feel out of sorts more than … Read the rest
This past week has been one for lots of prayer. I am a former news producer and purposely do not watch the news on a regular basis. I scan my phone when I get up and the house is quiet. Lately I have been appalled by the stories I have … Read the rest
So, I went to Maui to talk with a few folks who needed to process what happened when Lahaina burned. I stayed in South Maui, and it was eerie the first time I drove to the West Side. There are screens up along the bypass, and police spread out along … Read the rest