GriefHaven Blog | Insights and Stories of Healing

October 14, 2020

You Are Right That I Am Lucky

My Love,

tonight Fionnuala is your nurse.
You’ll hear her voice sing-song around the ward
lifting a wing at the shore of your darkness.

October 19, 2020

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 26, 2020

When To Date Again

I am a bereavement counselor at a hospice. I have a client who has done amazing work after the death of her husband. She is in her mid-60’s and very healthy. She and her husband had counseling before his death, and she continued after his death. She has written, and written, and read everything she can get her hands on. She has recently met a man in whom she is romantically interested who is concerned she has not grieved enough.

October 20, 2020

For Grief

When you lose someone you love,
Your life becomes strange,
The ground beneath you gets fragile,
Your thoughts make your eyes unsure;
And some dead echo drags your voice down
Where words have no confidence.

February 12, 2022

Forever Trying to Rescue You

I love you, Dad. Those are the last words you said to me the day before you killed yourself. They're also the last words you said to me in the first letter I wrote to you in this magazine, 24 years ago. Back then you were "Robbie" and I was "Daddy," and I never thought I could possibly love you more than I did. Then again, I never imagined I'd be writing this letter to you now.

October 19, 2020

DEAR FRIEND

It has been said that the more deeply we loved,
The more deeply we grieve
My love cannot be measured
In the ways I show my grief

There is no “formula” for grieving
No pattern to which I must adhere

October 19, 2020

When you lose a child, it is alright to . . .

When you lose a child, it is alright to . . .

Scream in the shower;
Yell in the car;
Howl at the moon;
Cry anywhere you like;
Misplace your glasses;
Lose the car;

October 19, 2020

The dash

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.

July 23, 2005

2005 – Peace of Heart Award

The Erika Whitmore Godwin Foundation Presents The 2005 Peace of Heart Award To Steven Turnbull and Credence Sol Attorneys from the Liner Yankelevitz Sunshine & Regenstreif Law Firm Susan Whitmore presenting the 2005 Peace of Heart Award to Steven Turnbull On July 23, 2005, The Erika Whitmore Godwin Foundation and griefHaven presented its 2005 Peace of Heart award to Steven Wade Turnbull and Credence Sol for their unwavering support in assisting the foundation in a lawsuit caused by a volunteer who had refused to return the Portrait of Grief; Badges of Courage tapes to the foundation until certain demands were met. After almost a year in court, the footage was returned to the plaintiffs, who held a celebration July 9 to thank the devoted lawyers of Liner Yankelevitz Sunshine & Regenstreif for handling the case pro bono. Susan presented attorneys Steven Turnbull and Credence Sol with the 2005 Peace […]

January 22, 2005

Klaas’ Kids Fingerprinting

Susan & Wendell Whitmore Help Klaas’ Kids With Fingerprinting Saturday, January 22, 2005, Huntington Park, California. griefHaven joined hands with Marc & Violet Klaas, Polly’s dad and step-mom, through Klaas’ Kids Foundation. HSBC Financial, one of the world’s largest investment companies, opened it’s door in Huntington Parkand asked Klaas’ Kids to be a part of the day’s festivities, which included five $5,000 donations to various charities, photo opportunities, news coverage, and the fingerprinting of over 400 children! This was an incredible day that we will never forget,” said Susan Whitmore. “As you can see from the photos, the families came out in droves to have their children’s photos taken, fingerprints digitized, and DNA kits handed out. It is an honor to join hands with Klaas’ Kids. The EWG Foundation and griefHaven, along with many volunteers, are going to be organizing and conducting several of these events over the next few […]

November 21, 2022

Holidays and the “What to Do” When a Loved One Has Died

For many of you, planning for the upcoming holiday brings a sense of excitement and is something you look forward to. For others, not so much, and that includes those who have had a significant person in their lives die—a person whose presence is so blatantly missing that the holidays become a time to "get through" rather than a time to enjoy

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! […]