GriefHaven Blog | Insights and Stories of Healing

October 19, 2020

Dearest Daddy

You are truly the best father anyone can have
We are going to miss your hugs, kisses, and your laugh
Our minds keep telling us you are in a better place
But our hearts long to see your beautiful face

May 24, 2020

Kids Who Blame Themselves for Mom’s Depression

"Even if she doesn't say it, I know it's my fault that my mother gets sad." Kids who believe comments like this -- assuming blame for their mom's sadness or depression -- are more likely to face depression and anxiety themselves, a new study led by SMU has found. "Although mothers with higher levels of depressive symptoms face increased risk that their children will also experience symptoms of depression and anxiety, our study showed that this was not the case for all children," said SMU family psychologist and lead author Chrystyna Kouros. "Rather, it was those children who felt they were to blame for their mother's sadness or depression...that had higher levels of internalizing symptoms."

February 22, 2015

2015 – Live Your Best Life Luncheon

Welcome to Our 2015 Live Your Best Life Luncheon There? Great! Enjoy the memories and share the link with others. Not there? No problem! Take a walk down memory lane and feel like you were there! Susan Whitmore (Founder & President) & Wendi Knox (Featured Speaker) What a beautiful day for a fundraising event. But of course, griefHaven events are so much more…they are days filled with love, compassion, seeing old friends, meeting new ones, and a place where people are enveloped in love. This event was just that. We don’t need to go into details, for it is true that a picture speaks a thousand words. So sit back and enjoy spending this time with us—either again or for the first time. Thank you to all 200 of you who showered the people with love and shared your generosity with griefHaven so that another year of helping those who […]

October 19, 2020

Memories of Patience

Those private places remain the same as if you’ve never left.
Frozen in time, an eternal play place, a silent stage for the bereft.

Artwork on the refrigerator, your shoes still scattered on the floor,

October 19, 2020

On the Death of the Beloved

Though we need to weep your loss,
You dwell in that safe place in our hearts
Where no storm or night or pain can reach you.

Your love was like the dawn

October 20, 2020

David’s Poem

David was a mighty ship
that weathered many gales,
and leaves a blessing to the world
in every place he sails.
He buoyed the dreary and sheltered the sad,

October 19, 2020

I Know You By Heart

Midnights in Winter
The glowing fire
Lights up your face in orange and gold. I see your sweet smile
Shine through the darkness
Its line is etched in my memory.
So I'd know you by heart.

August 17, 2020

Social Connection Strong Tool For Depression

The study demonstrates an important new approach for evaluating a wide range of modifiable factors and using this evidence to prioritize targets for preventive interventions for depression. "Depression takes an enormous toll on individuals, families, and society, yet we still know very little about how to prevent it," says Smoller. "We've shown that it's now possible to address these questions of broad public health significance through a large-scale, data-based approach that wasn't available even a few years ago. We hope this work will motivate further efforts to develop actionable strategies for preventing depression." The study's two-stage approach could also be used to inform the prevention of other health conditions.

July 28, 2020

Gift

I became a mother when Riley was born. I became a poet when he died. His death and writing poetry are intertwined like the malformed vessels of his AVM and his brain—rooted, inseparable as a banyan and its host tree. If Riley hadn’t died, I would not be writing poetry. I wouldn’t have survived the tsunami of his death without that lifeline. In the hospital, when we were given the news that Riley would not survive his third bleed, a nurse whispered in my ear. I don’t remember what she looked like, but I remember her ethereal embrace and the way she placed my hair behind my ear, and whispered, “You’ve been given a gift.”

May 24, 2020

Bird And Green Helps Grief

The researchers found that the neighborhoods most attractive to birds were those in which many yards had fruit or berry-bearing trees and shrubs; a mix of evergreen and other types of trees; and, to a lesser extent, other environmental features. They found that the presence of outdoor animals, especially cats, kept birds away. The research, Minor said, grew from wondering how many birds from the forest preserves flew into nearby neighborhoods. Many do so, they found. "Birds are really living out in the neighborhood," Minor said.

September 23, 2022

Stewarding Children’s Grief

Each person within the family may very well have a different way of healing themselves. Some persons may have a great need to talk, others may need to connect their grief with action, while another might be quietly healing in his or her own private manner. This diversity can often lead to trouble in the family, with barbs being thrown or held in consciousness about some other family member not grieving in the "right" way.

November 18, 2018

2018 – Heart to Heart Gala

Welcome to Our 2018 Heart to Heart Gala Page Enjoy Photos, Tributes and Video Below Susan Whitmore, Founder Friends of griefHaven Over 265 people joined us for an evening of laughter, meaning and fundraising Thanks to everyone for helping us raise $117,801! Meet our award recipients: Singing Celebrities Tributes at the Gala Photos at the Gala This Is griefHaven