GriefHaven Blog | Insights and Stories of Healing

March 29, 2021

Loneliness and Life Connected to Healthy Gut

The evolving science of wisdom rests on the idea that wisdom's defined traits correspond to distinct regions of the brain, and that greater wisdom translates into greater happiness and life satisfaction while being less wise results in opposite, negative consequences. Scientists have found in multiple studies that persons deemed to be wiser are less prone to feel lonely while those who are lonelier also tend to be less wise.

October 19, 2020

The Dash

I leave you with these final thoughts:
I read of a man who stood to speak at the funeral of a friend
He referred to the dates on her tombstone
From the beginning...to the end.
He noted that first came her date of birth

May 25, 2020

Miscarriage and Ectopic Pregnancy

One in six women experience long-term post-traumatic stress following miscarriage or ectopic pregnancy. This is the finding of the largest ever study into the psychological impact of early-stage pregnancy loss, from scientists at Imperial College London and KU Leuven in Belgium. The research, published in the journal American Journal of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, studied over 650 women who had experienced an early pregnancy loss, of whom the majority had suffered an early miscarriage

July 4, 2025

Are mixed emotions real? New research says yes

Neuroscientists found that brains display distinct neural activity when experiencing emotions such as bitter-sweetness. The advance could help solve a longstanding scientific debate: whether 'mixed emotions' arise from unique activity in the brain, or if we're just flip-flopping back and forth between positive and negative feelings. In Pixar's latest film, Inside Out 2, complex feelings like envy and embarrassment join the cast of characters.

May 13, 2020

Multiple Losses In Succession “Now cut off from the world… Complicated Grief”

As a director of a bereavement center myself, I am very concerned about a friend. Her mother died about 4 years ago. Her father died about 8 months ago. Then, her son, as far as we know, died of an accidental overdose about one month after her father. The truth is it seems she never quite was able to adjust after the death of her mother. She was a devoted daughter to her parents. The following information comes to me by a mutual friend. Since her son's death she has become completely cut off from the world. She does not drive or leave the house. She is completely terrified of doing anything.

November 18, 2023

2023 – Live Your Best Life Luncheon

After not having had an event since 2019 due to the pandemic, griefHaven had its first Live Your Best Life fundraising event. The room was filled with love as everyone gathered to shop, bid, and join one another to support griefHaven’s mission. The goal of griefHaven’s event is not only to raise the funds needed for another year, but also for people to experience being together in a room where they are safe, loved, and having fun!

February 22, 2014

2014 – Live Your Best Life Luncheon

Welcome to Our 2014 Live Your Best Life Luncheon The 2014 Annual Friends of griefHaven Live Your Best Life Fundraising Luncheon on October 7 rocked the Luxe Hotel ballroom. Attended by 191 family, friends, supporters, and many of those helped by griefHaven over the years, a warm welcome was extended to all. Performer Ari Kaplan serenaded the audience during the silent auction, which helped griefHaven net $20,871.56, guaranteeing the event’s success. Marc Klaas, Susan Whitmore, Kim Goldman and Wendell Whitmore An array of speakers, from Los Angeles’ former Mayor Richard Riordan to keynote presenter Kim Goldman, sister of Ron Goldman and victim’s right activist, shared testimonials, touching stories, and the inspiration and grief tools given to them by griefHaven that enabled them to move forward in their lives after experiencing tragedy and loss. As usual, the incredible women who make up the Friends of griefHaven Council worked and planned for […]

October 19, 2020

If I Had Known

If I had known what trouble you were bearing;
What griefs were in the silence of your face;
I would have been more gentle, and more caring,
And tried to give you gladness for a space.
I would have brought more warmth into the place,
If I had known.

May 9, 2023

The Health Benefits of Tears Yes! Health Benefits!

For over twenty years as a physician, I've witnessed, time and again, the healing power of tears. Tears are your body's release valve for stress, sadness, grief, anxiety, and frustration. Also, you can have tears of joy, say when a child is born, or tears of relief when a difficulty has passed. In my own life, I am grateful when I can cry. It feels cleansing, a way to purge pent-up emotions so they don't lodge in my body as stress symptoms, such as fatigue or pain. To stay healthy and release tress, I encourage my patients to cry. For both men and women, tears are a sign of courage, strength, and authenticity.

June 21, 2020

Loneliness Alters Your Brain

Social media sites aren't the only things that keep track of your social network -- your brain does, too. But loneliness alters how the brain represents relationships, according to new research published in JNeurosci. A brain region called the medial prefrontal cortex (mPFC) maintains a structured map of a person's social circles, based on closeness. People that struggle with loneliness often perceive a gap between themselves and others. This gap is reflected by the activity patterns of the mPFC. Courtney and Meyer used functional magnetic resonance imaging to examine participants' brain activity while they thought about the self, close friends, acquaintances, and celebrities.

February 22, 2013

2013 – Live Your Best Life Luncheon

2013 – Live Your Best Life Luncheon It was truly beautiful, and that room was filled with so much love it was palpable. There were 180 people in attendance. The Friends of griefHaven Council members (meet them all on our website) worked for months and months to make this event flawless. Our former Mayor, Richard Riordan, introduced Susan in such a lovely way. Then several families stood up and shared how griefHaven has helped them on their journeys. Michael Davis sang a beautiful song he wrote entitled “I Will Friend You,” and there wasn’t a dry eye in the house. But then…ta dah!!! Along came John Gray, best-selling author and sought-after speaker (ever heard of “Men Are From Mars, Women Are From Venus?”) , and he spoke and had us all in stitches! […]

May 17, 2015

Brian Moorman P.U.N.T Foundation

griefHaven Founder and President Gives Keynote and Facilitates Workshops Brian Moorman and Susan Whitmore I had the honor and privilege of being with the beautiful families who attended the second annual Brian Moorman P.U.N.T. Foundation’s Remembrance Weekend in Ellicottville, New York. Where’s Ellicottville, you might ask? Well, it’s a long way from Los Angeles, but man oh man is it gorgeous! Snow on the mountains, golfers on the greens, and us in a ski resort with breathtaking views! Brian Moorman was a 13-year punter for the Buffalo Bills and moved to Dallas to be the kicker for the Dallas Cowboys, where he currently resides. On May 2 and 3, my husband, Wendell, and I spent a beautiful and meaningful weekend with many families from New York who had all lost their children of various ages to cancer. I opened early Saturday morning by giving a PowerPoint keynote address, with the […]