Author, Speaker & Grief Counselor
Today marks three years since my daughter, Ke’ili, was hospitalized after being in bed for five weeks thinking she had Covid. It turned out to be Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia. My heart froze when she called me to say she was on her way to the ER. 30 minutes later; she … Read the rest
My husband Steve’s sweet, kind, generous all-around fabulous uncle Charlie just crossed over the rainbow bridge. We knew he was on borrowed time because of the type of cancer he had., but it still hurts like heck. Charlie was quiet, funny, and very talented musically, but most of all, he … Read the rest
Some days are better than others. I found out yesterday that my mammo from last week came back clear. It was a relief and an eye-opener. I didn’t even realize I had been holding my breath for a week. It’s been 10 years, and apparently, I subconsciously still worry about … Read the rest
Okay, so I have been extra careful for the last two and a half years, mainly because I have asthma and a child with leukemia, but still, I got Covid from my sister, who let her guard down for a brief lapse of time at a memorial service. Anyway, wah! … Read the rest
When my son Cory was six years old, he was trying to make a point about life after death. He grabbed a box of macaroni from the pantry. With a flourish, he ripped the top off the TV and dumped the contents on the dining room table. He then separated … Read the rest
The June Gloom, which follows May Gray, is real here in Southern California. The weather can affect one’s mood, as you possibly already know. It feels like a physical manifestation of the sadness I feel about what has been happening in our country lately. The news has recently focused on … Read the rest
I hope everyone has special friends that they may not get to see regularly, but it is as if no time has passed when they do. When I moved to Maui, I kept up with friends via Facebook. It helped me not feel homesick, and I was able to keep … Read the rest
Time stops the moment a doctor tells you or your loved one that there isn’t much they can do to prolong life. But then, the earth shatters around you, and you start to fall down, down, down swallowed up by the enormity of your grief.
For me, it happened consciously … Read the rest
I recently traveled to Seattle for a dear friend’s memorial service. I hadn’t been there to visit for just a few years. I moved away ten years ago. In the last five years or so, every NW visitor to Maui that we spent time with lamented the homeless problems in … Read the rest
I am sure that you have seen the grief quotes on wall hangings, posters, FB postings that are meant to comfort. Sometimes they are helpful and other times I question who wrote it and why. I would love to hear from you about the ones that helped. I like the … Read the rest