SurvivingSara

Tag: Grief

  • Mom’s Dead a Year

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    Sara Z
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    Flowers speak to my soul. I love them. I show love for others with them frequently. Beautiful arrangements delivered to doorsteps are such a sweet surprise that lasts for a couple weeks (hopefully). I take time choosing one particular combination for a special person, hoping the smile I get from giving them is shared across…

  • Good Grief

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    Sara Z
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    If someone who’s loved dies, who qualifies to grieve? Is grief only for devastating, unexpected loss? Or reserved for tragedy that takes a young person too early? If an elderly person dies, do their loved ones have a limit to how long or deep their grief? Dictionary Data from Oxford Languages grief [ɡrēf] grief (noun) So, who…

  • Blackbird Sings

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    Sara Z
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    A time to mourn in a time of much grief, my stepfather-in-law died this morning. He was a tough old bird, made it to 92 despite of myriad health challenges, and his grip remained strong. He was 60 when I met him in his backyard, fastidiously cared for by my in-laws. He’d worked his way…

  • Invictus

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    Sara Z
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    Two years ago today, I lost my dad. In the aftermath of the ICU, medical noise, and decisionmaking, we had a small gathering to honor him. I put together several of the multi photo displays, one each for his childhood, young family and work life, and the rest of his years. Many 8 x 10…

  • Is God Playing Chess?

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    Sara Z
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    When someone says, “Everything happens for a reason,” I bristle. It’s involuntary and visceral. I used to say it myself. We employ this phrase as though it is a comfort. We trot it out because we don’t know what else to say, which makes us uncomfortable. It fills the painful, quiet space that one experiences…

  • Oh, Dad

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    Sara Z
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    Dreamer, boxer, soldier, delivery truck driver, husband, daddy, salesman, supervisor, small business owner, entrepreneur, talker, joker, teaser, Pop, hunter, boater, fisherman, achiever, provider, supporter, cheerleader. There are so many stories I could tell about him, but I’ll just share one today, the first anniversary of his death. Much to the chagrin of my sisters and…

  • Tigers, ‘Niners, and Crosses, oh my!

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    Sara Z
    in

    My sister-in-law’s 52nd birthday is today, but she’s not here to celebrate. At age 50, she passed away from ALS, a cruel disease. She loved NASCAR and Bon Jovi. She was a major 49’ers fan and I so wish she’d seen this last season. Her home was decorated with crosses and pictures of her daughter,…