Grief can be especially confusing when the person who died was someone you had a difficult or painful relationship with. A brooding sky casts dramatic shadows over the vast ocean as storm clouds gather on the horizon. We tend to think grief should look a certain way. Someone dies, we are sad, we miss them, and we mourn their absence. But what happens when the person who died frightened you, hurt you, neglected you, or made your life more difficult? My father and I never got a

Well-meaning people often ask someone who is grieving, “Are you doing better?” I’m never quite sure what they expect us to say. Better than what? Better than yesterday? Better than the day our loved one died? Better enough that everyone else can stop worrying about us? A cascading waterfall gracefully flows over moss-covered rocks, surrounded by lush greenery, creating a serene and natural oasis. Some grievers are deeply offended by the question, and I understand why. About f

The first year after losing someone you love is often a blur. You may be operating on shock, numbness, and pure survival instinct. There are arrangements to make, paperwork to handle, belongings to sort through—or avoid—and an endless series of “firsts” to face. The first birthday without them. The first holiday. The first anniversary. Scenic view of lush greenery and modern buildings under a clear blue sky, with a mountain range in the backdrop creating a picturesque landsca