Coping with a Loved One's Death Anniversary: 30 Ideas

Holidays and Special Days / Holidays and Special Days : Eleanor Haley



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My mother's death anniversary was this past week, October 23rd to be exact. As soon as the fall weather hit, I could feel it approaching. I will forever associate the colorful leaves, cool breeze, and crisp air of Autumn with the helplessness I felt seven years ago knowing my mother could slip from life at any moment.

This year, as with past years, I spent time thinking about how I would cope with the day, I even started a blog post about it. But then guess what happened. The day came and went, and I completely forgot about it.

On the morning of October 24th, I stepped out of my house, and as soon as the smell of fall hit me, I thought, holy crap, is it the day? When I looked at the date and realized it was actually the day after, I was shocked. How did this happen???

Again!

Yep...again. I did the same thing last year. So, apparently, this is how I dysfunctionally deal with my mom's deathiversary (is deathiversary a word?).  Boo...I don't like it.  For me, forgetting feels a lot worse than remembering the pain; which is why I'm writing this post today - to implore you to not be like me.

Litsa and I have written many blog posts about dealing with grief on special days.  We helped you reframe Valentines Day,  we offered you 64 New Year's resolutions for grieverswe suggested a fun family activity for remembering loved ones on Easterwe came up with a list of ways to remember your loved one during the holiday season, we've written 17 posts to help you cope with Mother's Day Grief (and counting)and Litsa laid out a rock star tutorial on Father's Day sulking.

We obviously advocate for finding constructive ways to acknowledge and cope with tough days; although I will totally support you in ignoring them if you so choose. But we highly recommend on days like the death anniversary that you find at least small ways to honor and remember your loved one.

You (and others close to the loss) can decide how. There is no right or wrong way. Some will want to fully feel the sadness and emotion of the day (what I like to call 'wallowing with a purpose'), some will want to stay positive, some will want to do a quick and casual acknowledgment, and some will want to spend the entire day focused on the deceased. Whatever you do, we recommend you think ahead, anticipate the hard parts, and make a plan.

 

30 ways to honor and remember your loved one on their death anniversary:

1.  Take flowers to the gravesite, a memorial site, or another place where you go to remember your loved one.

2. Look at old photos and home videos.  Do this alone and have a good cry or reminisce over photo albums with family and friends.

3.  Turn digital photos into a photo album on Shutterfly or Snapfish.

4.  Donate a few of your loved one's old belongings to a shelter or other charity.  If you don't want to give away any of their things, just make a charitable donation in their name.

5.  Volunteer with a charity or cause close to your loved one's heart.

6.  Plan a memorial service or candlelight vigil.

7.  Reach out to someone else grieving the loss via letter, card, phone call, or e-mail.

8.  Host a dinner party and invite those who knew your loved ones best.

9.  Cook your loved ones favorite dish, use one of their recipes to prepare a meal, or host a pot-luck and ask people to bring a dish your loved one liked.

10.  Light a candle in honor of your loved one.

11.  Visit or spend time in a place where you feel close to your loved one.

12.  Take the trip you had been planning or dreaming about.

13.  Read old notes, letters, or e-mails from your loved one.

14.  Treat yourself to a massage.

15.  Distract yourself by getting together with friends, going to the movies, or taking a short trip.

 

16.  Watch your loved one's favorite movie.

17.  Make a mix CD of music that reminds you of your loved one.

18.  Create a new ritual to celebrate the life of your loved one.  Choose a ritual that can be repeated in the years to come.

19.  Do something your loved one would have enjoyed.

20.  Build a memorial with portraits, personal items, and objects that remind you of your loved one.

21.  Spend time journaling about your loved one.

22.  Make a toast or say a prayer or blessing in their honor.

23.  Plant a tree in your loved one's name.

24.  Establish a scholarship in their name.

25. Celebrate the strengths you have developed as a result of your loved one's death.

26.  Search for joy and feel gratitude.

27. Make a keepsake box of things that remind you of your loved one.

28.  Finish a project your loved one was working on.

29.  Continue to work towards a cause your loved one was involved with.

30.  Tell a story about your loved one to a stranger.

We love when grievers help other grievers.  Comment below and share with us how you dealt or will be dealing with the anniversary of a loved one's death.  What did you find helpful?  How did you honor and remember them?

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346 Comments on "Coping with a Loved One's Death Anniversary: 30 Ideas"

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  1. Sham  February 28, 2023 at 9:03 am Reply

    My mothers anniversary is approaching soon . Thanks for this blog – it made me see that I was not alone feeling sadness as the days approaches. She passed on 15th March last year , 2021. I will do something special on the anniversary in remembering her . Cook her favourite meal .

    3
  2. Alison  January 22, 2023 at 4:43 pm Reply

    It’s going to be a year this week
    You left us and the world is bleak,
    I don’t know what I’m going to do
    As I complete a year without you.
    No one knows I’m still so sad,
    I try and still I feel so bad
    I can’t be free from sadness still
    Even thought I think I will
    I haven’t got a brother spare
    To take your place or show they care
    I never had a sister, so
    You were my only one, you know.
    Now you sleep for evermore
    Where sadness can’t come back, for sure
    But Friday’s coming and I will
    Get through it though I miss you still
    Be there for me on this big day
    And hold my hand, don’t go away,
    Look after me cos I need you to
    I love you Matthew, I love you.

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  3. Jane  December 30, 2022 at 6:24 pm Reply

    My moms one year death anniversary just passed and as much as I want everyone to remember what a great person she was I wasn’t able to do anything for her and it makes me even sadder. I emotionally wasn’t ready yet. It seems a year would be long enough but losing her so suddenly to covid and the way it all happened a year isn’t long enough and I’m still in shock about it all. She was my best friend. She’s the only one who couldve helped me navigate this type of grief I’m going through and she’s not here anymore. A bunch of my cousins got together and went put flowers at her grave and tell funny stories etc about her(she was the sweetest funniest kindest most positive person)after at lunch to celebrate her life. I couldn’t go, my sisters couldn’t go we are a wreck. Mom was our rock, the glue that held us all together, she was our whole world and it’s just getting harder. 🙁

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  4. Mom  October 3, 2022 at 3:56 pm Reply

    My oldest son died after a brief battle with covid in 2021. He had tried so hard not to get sick, always wearing a mask and keeping his distance, but got it anyway. The time since then has been excruciating, from the shock, to the numbness, to the intense sadness. I talk to him a lot, which helps, and I used to sense when he was near (a cool touch on my arm, finding things like dimes in areas he used to be in). However, I don’t sense his presence like I used to, and I’m in tears off and on every day. Staying busy with work will distract me, visits to the cemetery let me unload a bit, but I’m “just not here” most of the time. I see the passing of days as bringing me another day closer to being with my son again. Such a good boy who grew up to be a fine man, always kind and giving. My heart feels broken forever

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  5. Sharon  October 1, 2022 at 11:20 pm Reply

    Monday will be one year. My brother and I are going to lunch and to the cemetery.
    He’s adjusted much better than I have. I’ll try not to fall apart.
    I’m not sure what I’ll do with the rest of the day.
    I can’t believe it’s been a year. I don’t want it to be a year! It went way too fast and it shouldn’t be that long. But it is.
    I thought I’d be doing better by now. I’m starting counseling with Hospice this month.
    My heart goes out to all who are dealing with this.

    1
    • Diane  September 1, 2023 at 5:03 pm Reply

      My sons death anniversary is September 6th he would have been 32 this year. He loved the movie “the nightmare before Christmas” and had several characters from the movie tattooed on his arm. In October we decorate our yard with those characters to honor him.

  6. Robin  September 28, 2022 at 8:07 am Reply

    These are all ways to stay in grief. People have become in such need of constant attention. “Poor me someone I know died”. It’s a fact of life. All this honoring and attention getting behavior is a modern thing. Let these dead people rest in PEACE. Stop using their death for attention.

    • Litsa  March 8, 2023 at 6:21 pm Reply

      Quite the opposite – it was a modern invention (1920s) not to continue honoring and memorializing the dead. Freud began saying what you say here – that it was not healthy. Modern western culture changed then to discourage people from mentioning and honoring the dead. But what more recent research has shown is that it is normal and natural for people to do so. Even Freud, later in his life and after losing his daughter, revised what he said to share he didn’t think this was actually the problem he earlier suggested. What research has found is that for many people these connections are actually what HELP them to move forward. It does not keep them stuck in grief, but rather allows them to know that their loved one’s memory can still be part of their new life that grows after the death. When people were pushed to severe these ties and memorials, that actually often made people more unwilling and fearful to move forward. So what we are now seeing a movement back to the type of remembering and grieving that was natural and accepted before the modern, western era changed it.

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      • Lizzie  March 13, 2023 at 7:23 pm

        Thank you Litsa for your helpful words, and the historical context you provide – and you did it in a kind and lovely manner – my mom would have loved knowing this!

  7. Alex  August 28, 2022 at 12:17 pm Reply

    Three years ago today around 4:00 pm e.s.t. My brother ended his life. I still miss him even after this time has passed. I wished him as a lonely child. A brother that I could play with. Once my wish came true, I foundly called my wish. I recalled the story at his wedding. Everyone at the wedding was in tears. Now I am as I write this. I have our favorite vodka shots and pickled herring we called roll mops ready as I have for the last two years. I will toast him for the memories we created. Then I will toast with his shot how much I miss me. I will eat the two pieces of herring alone. Wipe my tears and live on, Continuing my lonely pilgrimage without him. ❤️ him and miss him.

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  8. Walker  July 14, 2022 at 10:48 am Reply

    It’s never easy to lose someone close to you, and our hearts go out to you during this difficult time. Whether it was expected or came as a shock, grieving is a process that takes time. There are no set rules on how to grieve, and there is no timeline for healing. Grief is a very personal experience, and everyone copes in different ways.

    If you’re struggling to cope with your loss, know that you’re not alone. There are plenty of resources available to help you through this tough time

    2
    • Alex  August 28, 2022 at 12:22 pm Reply

      So Ture Walker. Thank you for sharing. Painful emotion only another individual can have empathy for and with you.
      Keep the memories close and let time help with the healing.

      • Connie  December 20, 2022 at 6:27 am

        Thank you for sharing your story of your brother and his memory. What a beautiful way was to stay connected with him. Keeping him close and speaking of him often must brings you comfort. Reading your post has helped me know that I will be keeping my son and his memory alive with me and speak of him often.

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  9. Sue  July 13, 2022 at 8:30 am Reply

    My Borther sadly passed away at the age of 50 on 11th July 2021. Monday was the first anniversary of him passing.
    My brother had liver cancer was given 3 – 6 months to live but only lived for 5 weeks.
    I lost one of the most important people in my life and the past year has been awful.
    Knowing the 1st year was upon us I knew I had to deal with that day how I wanted to. Family members said we should all be together but I just wanted that day with him.
    I have thrown myself into many things in the past year to remain distracted (enabling me t cope) but that day I cleared myself of any distraction. I took the day off work, I played his favourite music, when through all the photo’s and built up a photo album of his life. I cried, I smiled…yet I genuinely felt like I had spent the day with him.
    Going forward I plan to do exactly that each year – just me and him – in my mind and my heart.
    The following day I felt at peace with the fact I did just that and will continue to do so he’ll never to be forgotten, always be loved and remembered.
    R.I.P. Ian Putnam – Love you Bro, more than I can ever tell you.

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  10. Mandy  March 24, 2022 at 12:21 am Reply

    It will be 5 years this weekend since my mom passed and the anniversary of her death is the hardest day of the year for me. She was terminally ill from cancer and had a physician assisted suicide. I knew the exact minute she would die for weeks and I can still hear the doctors footsteps in my mind. I was 6 months pregnant with a 2 year old and a 4 year old at home and had to compartmentalize my grief in order to be there for all of them. With 3 young kids, a pandemic, a move to a new town and the world in chaos I’ve never needed her more… and she’s not here. I’ll be spending the day by myself ugly crying, feeling sorry for myself, and eating chocolate bars ….then will pull it all together for another year until I do it all over again. It’s not pretty but it works for me!

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  11. Ari  December 18, 2021 at 12:14 pm Reply

    I’d like to offer an alternative perspective: I WISH, completely and sincerely, that I could do exactly what you did–not even notice that awful anniversary until the day is passed.

    I honour my late wife on her birthday, remember our anniversaries (marriage and “together”), talk about her with our kids and friends, keep many of our shared traditions at holidays. But I lost her to a sudden medical event one day, and there is NOTHING about THAT –ing day that I want to commemorate, honour, or in any way relive. It was an extended trauma, the horrible, horrible worst day of my life.

    Every year I try to ignore it as hard as I can until it’s over. But it’s impossible, I can’t *not* be aware of what day it is. And when I think about it, I become aware of the time, and then I have to fight the desire to think about what was happening at every moment through that day. I’m continually trying to pull myself back into the present. I always feel relief when the clock ticks past midnight and it’s over.

    Coming up on 5 years, so I’m open to anyone’s suggestions on how to power-ignore. It’s on a weekend this year, which may make it easier not to watch the clock. I already stay off Facebook for a few days around then.

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    • Mike  January 27, 2022 at 10:42 am Reply

      After 45 years of the most beautiful marriage, I lost my wife on Halloween. I will never commemorate or have anything to do with that awful day of the year again. I will however honor her on every other occasion that we happily shared together for so many years – birthday, wedding anniversary, Valentines, Mothers Day, Thanksgiving, Christmas, etc. She is my everything, and for me there can be no peace or comfort without her. I lost her physical body, but her spirit and love dwell within me, and together we will continue to celebrate the special times together. Love never ends.

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      • Cathy  December 13, 2022 at 9:15 am

        Ari and Mike,
        I am so sorry for your losses. I lost my Dad suddenly in April of this year (2022) and I feel exactly the same way – I have no desire to “celebrate” his last day with us…I know it will be extremely difficult when the anniversary comes and right now I’m not sure how I will spend the day and days around it. But I will celebrate his birthdays, holidays and his and my Mom’s anniversary always. ❤️

    • Alex  August 28, 2022 at 12:28 pm Reply

      Mike, I came across your post while writing mine today.
      No one can share this lonely pilgrimage you are on. Live on with the beautiful memories you both created. That is your wife’s greatest gift. Celebrate her. She lives in your heart forever.

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  12. Rachel  November 23, 2021 at 3:51 am Reply

    I have a question regarding myself- My dad passed away on the holidays. Not just any of the holidays, the one year anniversary of my father’s passing was EXACTLY on New Year’s Eve, December 31, 2020, during COVID19. It was due to complications from surgery while making a full recovery from colon cancer- it had nothing to do with Corona Virus, he had tested negative twice- the doctors took him off the anesthesia when they were waking him up, he had massive heart failure and he never woke up. I never had closure with him, and worst of all, my dad never got to say goodbye to me and my mom. This past year was hell- my mom’s mother, my grandma who’s 80 years old and a MAGA person, disinherited us and labeled us as crazy people, on the 20th anniversary of September 11 of all days, and not only there’s the fact that my mom is now a new widow, I feel like my mom and I are the sisters Elinor and Marianne Dashwood in Sense and Sensibility, and we are both fatherless. It feels like this is my first holiday season being an orphan with my mom. I know this sounds like the worst case scenario right now, but I really don’t know what to do on how to celebrate and commemorate Christmas and New Year’s anymore. My amazing saint of a boyfriend who is a godsend for me, he believes it would be poor taste for me to spend Christmas and New Year’s of 2021 all alone with my mom. But I sadly feel like that Christmas is going to require me to be lonely and depressed this year because he has to work at the hospital on Christmas Day, and he’s already got plans for Christmas Eve with his family (he doesn’t have much family left either, only a few people left other than his mom and his brother- his dad passed away also from cancer when he was five). Plus, my mom had to cut out a lot of dead weight from my father’s past, because all of his friends from the science fiction conventions revealed to us they all hate my mom and think that both me and my mom are crazy and should be locked away after our first month of January in bereavement from losing my dad. Even my mom’s sister refuses to talk to us and she won’t stop shunning us. I have friends, but they don’t know my mom very well and my mom has absolutely no friends, she’s scared of meeting total strangers and trying to make friends from people she’s never met when she goes out in public such as going to church, etc.
    That said, what do you do when number 1- my father was cremated when he passed away, so he has no gravesite- number 2- my dad thought he was certain he’d live to see 60 years old in 2021, and he never made his final arrangements before his death in the final hours of 2020, and finally, the big one- what, or how, is there a way, for me to celebrate the new year 2022 and celebrate Christmas, my dad’s all-time favorite holiday for that matter because my dad was our Santa Claus to us- when my mom and I will be spending the holidays completely alone with absolutely nobody? Should we just spend the holiday crying until we get migraines, with no presents since we’re both living below poverty and very close to losing our home? How is Christmas possible for me and my mother this year, or the future for that matter?

    • Litsa  December 18, 2021 at 4:49 pm Reply

      Rachel, I am so sorry for what you are going through. Please know that there is no right or wrong for how you spend the holidays – if alone with your mom feels right, that is what you should do. If you go to our categories we have a section called “holidays and special days” which has dozens of articles with ideas and tips that might be helpful for you. Though your dad doesn’t have a gravesite, anywhere that you feel close to him can be a place where you go in the same way you might visit a gravesite. It could be a restaurant, a beach or park or hike or other outdoor place he liked, or anywhere else that means something to you. Remember that Christmas is about the values that mean something to you – consider what those are and find small ways to capture that in your day. Whether that is comfort, generosity, faith, spirituality, service, family, friendship, or whatever else, know that it might not look the same as years past, but you can still try to include some of those things in small ways. I hope some of the other posts on the site prove useful.

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  13. Debbie Johnson-Clinton  October 18, 2021 at 10:41 am Reply

    my mom died 5 years ago in my arms. I accepted her death my body has not . On the anniversary of her birthday and her passing my body trips out !!!! I was diagnosed with epilepsy , ms and als 8 weeks after mom died. I have fought so hard to get well but when the anniversary of her passing comes around my body goes into stress and shock mode I cannot control it no matter how hard i try . Its killing me . It is so bad i have to be sedated on the anniversary of her death and her birthday for 24 hours twice a year …………..I want this madness to end how do i get my body to accept her death ??????????

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    • Sue  February 26, 2022 at 11:30 am Reply

      Debbie i am sorry for your loss. I hope this helps. I lost my partner and was extremely shocked because it was so sudden and unexpected. He was so fit. I grieved intensely and had flashbacks and PTSD. I had counselling but felt i needed something more.
      I found out about this lady via a Bereavement friendship group. She did a talk. Her name is Maureen Fearon n she does Tapping n NLP. I trusted her to help and after a long session she marvellously helped me to “switch off” these flashbacks and it truly felt a miracle!! Shes a very kind lady and truly helped me! It was worth every penny and i would recommend her and also use her again without hesitation. Its possible to do via zoom and i hope she can help you and any others tht require help with troubling problems. Think how great it wd be to switch tht problem off Debbie! She also gives you coping mechanisms to top up if needed. She also told me about someone with possible Parkinsons that she was able to help. He is ok now and no longer shakes. I will say a prayer for you Debbie that you will get the help you need! Good luck take care Sue m xxx

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  14. Bobbie Hamfeldt  September 25, 2021 at 2:20 am Reply

    On the anniversary of my son’s death, I purchase dozens of bouquets of sunflowers. I drive to a neighborhood that is low resourced and in need of cheering up. I leave a bouquet of sunflowers on each porch with a note attached saying that I’m honoring my son Erik. If I see people walking on the sidewalk I give them the sunflowers in person. I’ve engaged with so many people who are in shock that I’m not charging money and am just giving them away for free. The smiles I see and the “thank yous” I receive help heal the hole in my heart. I feel connected to my boy who I feel is smiling down on me. It’s exactly the kind of thing he used to do when he was alive and I feel so close to him. ♥️💫

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    • Nina G  March 24, 2022 at 10:23 pm Reply

      Omg! That is so beautiful.

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    • Alex  August 28, 2022 at 12:33 pm Reply

      What beautiful way to remember your son. I lost my brother today three years ago. I can only try to understand the pain your moving and living through after your son’s death. There are no words to comfort you.
      Keep living on and remembering your son. He must be smiling watching over you.

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  15. Susanne K.  September 21, 2021 at 11:56 am Reply

    One of the things that has helped me most is designing rocks (sometimes elaborate sometimes simple) in his honor, sometimes keeping them and sometimes placing them outside near a river, the ocean, off a hiking trail. I say something about him on the rock, or I say something to him. Either way it feels therapeutic to get my thoughts out there into the world, maybe for other people to find and read, and then they will think of him too. I feel like when people think of him, even if they didn’t know him, it keeps little pieces of his soul alive here. Silly maybe, but it helps me.

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  16. Nessa  June 8, 2021 at 4:02 pm Reply

    It’s the first anniversary of my beloved partners passing tomorrow the 9th of June. I have a helium balloon which says I love you on it and I’m going to write him a message saying how much I love and miss him and let it go. I did the same for our anniversary, valentines day and what would of been his 50th birthday last month. It makes me feel closer to him.

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  17. Sarah  April 29, 2021 at 3:34 am Reply

    My mum died one year ago on 7th May 2020 – she was only 74 and died alone in hospital. Due to lockdown restrictions she was not given the care she needed to bring her back to health and the hospital would not let our family discharge her so we could get a second opinion. They put her on end of life care by misusing emergency covid procedures and I feel she died before her time.

    I have got her an angel with an inscription to place at her memorial stone.

    It reads:

    MUM

    THOSE WE LOVE DON’T GO AWAY,
    THEY WALK BESIDE US EVERYDAY.
    UNSEEN, UNHEARD BUT ALWAYS NEAR.
    STILL LOVED, STILL MISSED AND VERY DEAR.

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    • Jane  December 30, 2022 at 6:16 pm Reply

      I’m sorry for your loss I just wanted to say I could have wrote what this. I lost my mom too. It’s just soul crushing and such an awful way to lose them. I hope you’re doing ok.

  18. Karen  April 18, 2021 at 8:55 pm Reply

    Tomorrow will be the 5 year anniversary of the last day I spent with my dad. I thank God I got to spend the time with him. He got up and I made him pancakes. We sat on the front porch with my mom. We took some selfies. We talked about what the name of the road was they lived on. He ate hot dogs for dinner. Soon after he got sick and was taken to the hospital. That next morning At 4:20 am he would pass away with most of his family by his side. I held his hand almost not stop for 4 hours and cried as he passed. He kept squeezing my hand. Each year my grief is worse 2 days leading up to the anniversary, the anniversary and the day after.

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  19. Mary  February 24, 2021 at 6:58 am Reply

    I lost my brother, two years in April. It was sudden, and that is called “complicated grief.” No prolonged illness, nursing home. Less time to say good bye, and how much he meant to me, and the family.

    Hold your loved ones lose to you, and treat them well, if you can. You never know, when they will depart.

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    • Alex  August 28, 2022 at 1:10 pm Reply

      Mary, I came across your post while writing and posting mine. This Complicated Grief you composed is an insightful description of the empty, painful, lonely journey we are dealing with our loss.
      Thank you for posting.

  20. Lynda Zutski  January 19, 2021 at 8:02 pm Reply

    My mom will be gone 5 years on January 27th & I am hoping I can go to her gravesite.
    I feel with covid & all the dreaded things that has happened in the world the past 10 months I’m more overwhelmed with grief over her passing. The last time I went to her grave for Christmas I just broke down. It’s been extremely hard not having her here. She was always a pillar of strength & I think I need that right now.

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    • Isabelle Siegel  January 22, 2021 at 11:03 am Reply

      Lynda, I’m so sorry to hear that you’re experiencing such pain. It’s absolutely normal for grief to feel worse right now. I highly recommend you give this article a read: https://whatsyourgrief.com/crisis-grief-feels-worse/ Please know that, no matter what, you are not alone. All the best.

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  21. ERNESTO VILLEGAS  January 13, 2021 at 8:54 pm Reply

    Well, no one is permanent in the world. My lost is the same as yours, so I sympathized everyone specially those who are still in state of agony, I know how you feel. 6 days from now is my wife’s 1st death anniversary. I know and understand that everything has a purpose. She left us with our 2 kids, our elder son is just 5 years old and the younger one is turning 2yrsold next month.

    God knows how we really feel during our darkest moment. He knows what we are going through. It seems lonely, sad but everything is going right. We need to come out from the box and be brave and be with GOD along the way. We will gonna the light in the days to come, and we out better and stronger.

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  22. Dom  November 29, 2020 at 9:47 pm Reply

    My grandfather died on. December 8, 2019 at 1pm due to an Aneurysm Burst.

    December 8, 2020 will be the first anniversary of his death. I want to have a family gathering and invite 10-15 people, but due to COVID-19, we probably will not have a gathering or only 1 or 2 will come. Plan for the 8th is to send prayers, have a mass for my grandfather, visit his grave, and order and cook lots of food and have a great meal. We live in the Phillipines so death anniversaries are usually done with our own traditions.

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    • IsabelleS  November 30, 2020 at 11:01 am Reply

      Dom, I’m so very sorry for your loss. I’m glad that you are finding ways to honor his life and the anniversary of his death even during the pandemic. All the best to you!

  23. Anastasia  July 28, 2020 at 2:49 pm Reply

    My mother doesn’t even have a headstone and her ashes were stolen from me, her only child. I have just 4 photos of her, and no letters, videos, etc. Her important belongings, heirlooms and things she made (she was a crafter & artist so there were many) were taken/stolen as well. It’s so difficult to not have these things, and be unable to do so many of your suggestions. Her death anniversary – and my life – would be a whole lot easier if I was given back some of these things, but that’s unlikely to ever happen. I’m now unable to cook so cannot even make her recipes either. Sorry to be a downer but what do people in my situation do?

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    • mar  February 17, 2021 at 10:52 pm Reply

      wtf this made me so mad. not you, i feel for you, but hearing about ashes being stolen makes me angry for no good reason.

      if you have hobbies of your own, you can incorporate your mother’s memory into it. for example, if you do music, you can dedicate a song to her.

      i’m so sorry for you loss, and i hope all is well.

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    • Tina  December 15, 2021 at 9:57 am Reply

      That is devastating! My situation is not the same but I thought to share. I have a loved one who died and there is also no headstone to visit and I don’t have ashes. I finally planted a tree because I needed somewhere to memorialize my loved one and somewhere to visit in my grief. It helped me to see my loved one’s name somewhere (on a plaque) and to have somewhere to go to pay respects or sit with my grief. I hope something will help comfort you with all of your loss.

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    • Betty  May 9, 2023 at 1:33 am Reply

      Will be praying for you, that for as long as you are alive, her memory will be all you need in your heart. For me, keeping the Lord in my heart, has helped me after losing my daughter almost 21 years ago. I still think of her every day. She was 28 years old with severe cerebral palsy. Only word she could say was momma.

  24. Jamie  July 10, 2020 at 7:28 am Reply

    One year today I lost my mom. Followed by my deceased best friend’s cat for whom I gad been caring as my own. Followed by having to move out. Followed by Covid 19. Followed by the loss of my 2 boy cats, who had been the light in my life, in the spring. There’s nothing left. Probably doing it wrong but this went on FB today :
    A year ago today, my world ended. Then it got worse. I am alone and lost and terrified. And that is how it will always be. I’m tired of arguing. Tired of listening to advice. Tired of trying. Tired of pretending. If you’re looking for a happy upbeat person look somewhere else. I have nothing left to give you. I’ll still be here, joking and pretending to care. There will be cat pictures. But my heart is no longer in anything. Sorry. Have a great weekend.

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    • Vicki Volpe  August 5, 2020 at 9:56 am Reply

      Jamie,
      I felt so bad for you as you I read your story. my father will be gone a year on 8/17/20.
      He was the best father any one could ask for. He was the glue of our family.
      He found out he had lung cancer (never smoked a day in his life) and died 5 weeks
      later. I promised him that I would live everyday the best i can in his memory.
      Life can be really cruel and I am sorry you are having such a hard time.
      Think of your mother and how she would feel that you are not going on with your life in
      the best way you can. If you ever want to talk via email please let me know.
      I care about people that are having like you that seem to be really having a very
      hard time.
      “i Care”

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    • Nevaeh  October 6, 2020 at 9:01 pm Reply

      June 12 is the same day i lost my god mom and for me it was not easy because i started acting out but i turned it all around when my grand mom died i thought i owed it to both of them to turn my life around and now i’m still not doing so good but i’m doing ok

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      • IsabelleS  October 7, 2020 at 11:04 am

        Hi Nevaeh, I am so sorry for the multiple losses you have experienced. I want you to know that I see the efforts you are making to turn your life around and I am proud of how far you have come. I hope this website brings you some comfort.

    • Tina  December 15, 2021 at 9:59 am Reply

      There is no doing it/grief wrong. <3

  25. Traci  June 12, 2020 at 12:22 pm Reply

    I have a dumb question. I am approaching Mom’s anniversary this month and Dad passed 3 months ago. I am trying to figure out ‘the day’. For example Mom died June 25, 2019. When I was looking at it monthly, gone 6 mos, 7 mos, etc it wasn’t always on the 25th. Yes 6/25/2020 is the day we lost her but when looking at it monthly do you count it every 4 weeks or on the 25th of every month?

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    • Tina  December 15, 2021 at 10:03 am Reply

      I used the date as the anniversary (so if it was January 31, I would use the 31st as the month marker but at first, I counted the weeks that went by too as however many weeks it had been). I probably counted both week and month anniversaries for the first 6 months to year. I think you can do whatever works best for you.

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  26. Angelica  May 2, 2020 at 7:23 am Reply

    Today is exactly a month since my mother passed away.I am all alone since then due to the lockdown. I had to take care of everything and go home without her. I couldn’t eat for a week,when I wake up I cry whenever I realize she’s not here anymore.My sister is in another country and could not go home due to the pandemic lockdowns.It was a difficult time really and I feel bad that we could not give her a proper memorial service that she deserves.
    I still talk to her at home,I know she is still around. Honestly it gets harder everyday,because you forget about her being sick.Before I’m comforted with fact that she’s no longer suffering but now as the days go by, I just miss her,her comforting voice,her presence.I do not know how to face Mother’s day but I know I have to. I’m starting to question if I have really accepted that she’s no longer here. I can’t focus on anything,there are days that are alright and there are days like today when sadness just takes over everything and you just hope that it will get easier.

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  27. Anthony Pucci  February 28, 2020 at 4:15 pm Reply

    Today February 28, 2020 is exactly one year since my fiance passed away. We were together for 11 years and so much in love. We were planning on starting a family and getting married. Well at least that is what I wanted but I never got a chance to ask her because she passed away. Her heart gave out on her and she was only 32 years old. I wish it would have been me instead of her. She was such a bright light on this dark planet that we live on. She could make you laugh no matter what mood you were in. I cried for 3 weeks straight, all day and all night. I didn’t even know that was possible for someone to cry that much. I miss her so much and I don’t know how I will ever be able to move on. I try and keep myself busy but that is only putting a band-aid on it. This hurt will be with me till the day that I die. Hopefully that is sooner than later. Life is a very difficult thing to deal with. I will always love you and I will never forget about you!!

    RIP Krystal Hope

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  28. Selasi Akakpo  February 22, 2020 at 2:04 pm Reply

    I lost the love of my life on 23rd february, 2019. My world was turned upside down ever since. She was my best friend, my mother, my sister and my wife. I visited the psychologist to help make meaning of life but my situation my pain was no better. Frankly life is meaningless in the longrun. Had it not been our 2young innocent children, l would have love to join my beloved wherever she is. As her departure anniversary comes tomorrow, my prayer is that she feels happier where she is till we meet again if there is any existence after this life. …….Still the One. Forever in my heart.

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  29. Dawn  February 8, 2020 at 11:15 pm Reply

    I lost my twin boys jack and Connor on feb20 and feb21 2006. I was almost 24 weeks pregnant with the two boys when I gave birth prematurely . I could never had any other children . Every year I feel pain hard on my heart on their birthday. I wish I could hold them everyday. I feel so jealous of mothers with living children especially around this time of year . I especially wish this hole in my heart would mend . Everyone in my life somehow forgot about this pain of how I lost my boys so many years ago and just go on with their lives on feb 20th every year without a thought of my boys and my sadness anymore . Funny how this date that is so significant for me is just another day for everyone else. Thanks for letting me vent . Just feeling terribly sad .

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  30. Fern julia  January 10, 2020 at 6:56 am Reply

    I am coming up to our daughters 1st year feb 18th which was family day my 22 yr old daughter lost her fight after 41 days in the hospital and 7 long years; her demons took over.
    She was a victim of human trafficking and then became an addict she tried to get clean but it was stronger then her.
    She overdosed but we got her back after 22 days in a coma; then the hospital pushed her;feeding tube through her stomach and then she had to have brain surgery it was all to much for her fragile body could handle, so every parents worse nightmare I had to hold her in my arms while they Unplugged the machines and I heard her last heart beat, my heart stopped with her.
    Now we are trying to go and figure what we should do on the 1st Ann

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  31. Anvitha  December 5, 2019 at 5:56 am Reply

    Hi..i don’t know if this will ever reduce my anguish and pain i am going through past one year..i lost my younger brother on 25/12/18..and we got to know about it only on 27/12/18 and was already far away from all of us physically..he was alone in the attic for two whole days and we were so helpless, away from him and unable to reach him..it was a nightmare for the entire family until we could trace him out..mental depression over a breakup at the age of 24years took him away from us..he curbed to the loneliness..but he tried everything he could to come out of it before taking such a drastic step..its almost an year since the unforgettable and unforgivable incident..i feel angry with him for leaving us alone but the love we have for him overcomes any other strong emotion..i would give everything i have and everything i don’t have to have with him us again..christmas is no more beautiful to any of us..i can’t talk to my parents about him as they feel sad if i am in pain..work helps to keep me going but nothing helps me when i am alone..there is no single day when i forgot him..i would like to do something special for him on his death anniversary..i want to distribute goods to all the kids in an orphanage in his name and i hope all the prayers will reach him

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    • Eve  December 6, 2019 at 6:15 pm Reply

      Hi i understand your pain. I lost my little brother 10th of December 2018, and we found out it two days later. It was so devastating. I would like to talk with you more.
      My e-mail is elleuqe85@gmail

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    • Jeanette  December 23, 2019 at 1:54 am Reply

      I also lost my younger brother 12/25/2018 , feels like I lost my brother and my parents because our lives have forever changed. I empathize your pain as we have so much in common.

  32. Jay  November 23, 2019 at 2:39 pm Reply

    A balloon release helped.

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  33. neill  October 24, 2019 at 3:22 am Reply

    October I dread, I lost my dad and sister to cancer and today is the 24th my birthday and its the day my dad was taken. I was overwhelmed with dreams last night and woke up in a terrible state. I don’t seem to be able to cope 🙁

  34. Brenda  October 21, 2019 at 5:03 pm Reply

    Hi!
    I don’t know how I came across this site, but I am ecstatic! . I wish this was a private group on Facebook so we could chat & listen more often.
    I dread October through January. October for some reason reminds me of what’s near. My fave Holidays: Halloween, my Birthday, Thanksgiving & Xmas. I lost my Mother in 2005. She died 5 days before my birthday in November. There is something about October that sets me up for sadness each time. It’s her fault that she isn’t here with me, with us. Her addiction made her love “Cocaine” more than she loved her 32 year old daughter, 27 year old son & 13 year old baby girl.
    A day doesn’t go by that I don’t think of her. Some days are better than others. If I think about her too much I get those knots in my stomach. She died 5 days before my Birthday and I am turning the same age she was when she died. All I can hear echoing is the number 47. Every year has been hard, but this one…..,

  35. Helen  October 18, 2019 at 4:30 pm Reply

    The one year anniversary is coming of my husband’s suicide. I can feel the tightness in my chest when I think about it; increasing in intensity as each day gets me closer and closer. In some ways it feels like a million years and experiences ago. And sometimes the time feels like the blink of an eye and I am standing in that garage looking at him and wondering why he would do this. I have experienced the worst and the best since that day. Government agencies refusing to help right to perfect strangers saying exactly what I needed to hear at exactly the right moment. I see from these posts that I shouldn’t expect anything to change in the future. Sad, but comforting.

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    • Anka  January 20, 2021 at 6:41 am Reply

      I lost my friend M almost six years ago. March 2015 she was killed by a man I can never, ever forgive, and her loss sparked so much tragedy and heartache.

      She was a beautiful soul. I am older now than she was when she died, and I’ve had to leave my home state for work. I’m in the air force and while I was looking at train fares for her anniversary today I realised I might not even make it home. I have a deployment coming up that could keep me away.

      I have never missed an anniversary before, and while I knew this might happen joining defence (missing important dates like anniversaries and Christmases etc) it really struck me all of a sudden. I grieved for her like I haven’t in a long long time. I think about her every day, but talking about her is easy now. She was and is so important to me, and today felt like losing her all over again. I know that grieving never really stops, we just learn to live around it, but the feeling hit me so hard and fast I felt physically winded.

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      • Isabelle Siegel  January 22, 2021 at 10:56 am

        Anka, I’m truly so sorry for your loss. It’s normal and okay to have good and bad days. You’re right: Grieving never really stops, you just learn to live around it. You may want to check out this article: https://whatsyourgrief.com/grief-recovery-is-not-a-thing/ All the best to you.

  36. Edward Vendetti  October 18, 2019 at 3:50 pm Reply

    My husband passed away 02/12/19 and this will be his first birthday 11/05. My plan is to release balloons first thing the morning of his birthday. I am then off to work for half a day. In the afternoon I am getting a new tattoo in his honor with both our initials joined by a heart. After that I will treat myself to dinner at one of our favorite restaurant. Once home I will have his favorite ice cream cake sing happy birthday and surely cry. After I dry up lol I will open the card I got him read it aloud and then open the present I got him which I will wear (beaded bracelet) that I know he would love. I will always celebrate my Jorge and know he is always with me and that we will he reunited when my number is called… much love to all… stay strong and courageous ????

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  37. Linette  September 29, 2019 at 11:49 pm Reply

    October 1st 1983 it will be 36 Years since my Father shot himself. I was only 6years old and I am still very hurt,alone and angry. I have had nightmares of those hours that lead up to him taking his life. My mother has gotten rid of everything of his even his ashes. I have tired to speak to her about my grief or share Memories of my father and all she does is get angry with me and tell me that I should already be over this. Never wants to talk to me about him. I do feel alone. And others dont want to hear or see me in pain. And i am a little ashamed to go to a therapist. Every October is so very hard for me that i have internalized my pain for so Long that the whole month of October i am very sick or really depressed and just last year i had such a painful mirgrain only on one side of my entire head that no medicine helped. I do enjoy and thank this site to try to help me with ways of celebrating his life

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    • Lisa  October 1, 2019 at 6:33 am Reply

      Linette,
      I’m so sorry about the loss of your father to suicide. My father also died by suicide earlier this year. The trauma of his loss has been incredible – and the resulting loneliness has been both unexpected and terribly sad. I guess it’s impossible for those who haven’t experienced this kind of loss to understand. While initially not at all in my comfort zone, I’ve found great help in seeking all available sources of care – trauma counseling, suicide bereavement support groups, and online suicide bereavement resources. It’s been empowering for me to do what I need to do to begin to heal. Please know, as you remember your father’s anniversary today, that you are not alone, and that others do care and support you in your grief. I hope you find what you need to honor your grief today.

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  38. SARAH MCPHERSON  September 20, 2019 at 4:35 pm Reply

    hello,
    September 25th, 2018 , my husband went to the store to buy cigrettes and he never came home. he was murdered in the parking lot as he was getting into his jeep to come home.
    as the first anniversary of his death approaches, nothing is easier emotionally, i still think he will call or come thru the door. i miss him terribly.

    • Karen Decker  September 23, 2019 at 8:17 pm Reply

      Hi Sarah,
      My daughter was killed in a car accident on September 25 2016. I cant believe it’s been 3 years, and I still think she will walk through the door in the morning. She left a special piece of her behind, my grandson. As much as I love him he cannot replace my daughter. Having him does help me through the rough times .
      I’m sorry for your loss and I wish there were words to make it better but infortunately there are none. You have to remember the good and bad times and know you will in time find it easier to deal with the anniversary.
      I haven’t reach that time yet but I will honor her on the 25th.

  39. Samantha  September 16, 2019 at 11:19 pm Reply

    On this day 9 years ago at 117am my beautiful 6 year old boy was pronounced dead! It wasn’t his time, he was misdiagnosed & mistreated & it resulted in his untimely & painful death! I used to release green & black balloons (he was a Ben 10 fanatic) but now I buy a White Rose for every year he has been gone, I have it wrapped in green & black paper & ribbon, my aunt bought me a beautiful candle with a poem inscription about my son & I light this & burn it all day in his memory! Nothing ever changes the way I feel on this day, there is anger, sadness & lots of pain

  40. Marlene Manto  August 11, 2019 at 5:43 pm Reply

    On 19th September 2017 my husband was killed in a glider accident. That date is coming up again for the second time, and again, I have a plan. I don’t know how I got through the first year without him but I know I depended on friends and family to help me through each day. On 19th September 2018 (one year anniversary) I invited them all to come to my house for ‘Memory Day’. Yes, that’s what I call it. In the morning we distributed my husband’s ashes out on the ocean, and in the afternoon we had a party! I felt ‘safe’ with all these wonderful people around me, and I took the opportunity to stand up and publicly thank each one for staying by my side.

    Well, 19th September 2019 and the second anniversary will be here soon and this time I have decided to travel to the other side of the world (Berlin) to mark ‘Memory Day’ with my husband’s family there. Again, I will feel ‘safe’ being surrounded by the people who loved him, and I’m sure, who care for me too.

    As for Memory Day next year? I will consider this after the second one passes but I know it will definitely be marked, and I will have friends and family around me to help me get through the day. I can’t imagine ever letting the day slide by without noticing as my life was changed forever, but I also don’t want the day remembered only in sadness. I want to celebrate the life my husband lived, and acknowledge that he will always be remembered.

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    • Patricia R. Reid  October 18, 2019 at 6:03 pm Reply

      I love your idea. Nov. 13, 2019 will be third anniversary of when Paul took his last breath. I have been numb ever since. I just returned from a retreat to write about grief and loss, and today I feel stronger and ready to commemorate that day in a special way. Thank you.

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  41. Christy Spencer  July 22, 2019 at 8:29 pm Reply

    On July 28, 2019, it will be a year since I lost my Mom to dementia. This past year has been a rollercoaster ride for me in every way. It was six months before I felt “normal”, again. After a year in an “emotional” hell, I am at peace with her not being here with me on Earth. Also, when I thought my life was over, out of nowhere came something I thought I would never experience, again. Happiness! I now know how truly precious life is and am determined to live it to the fullest. R.E.M. said the “Sweetness Follows” and I’m happy to say that it does!

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  42. Ayana  July 8, 2019 at 10:35 am Reply

    Hi everyone, today is the first anniversary of my fathers passing. My dad was battling kidney disease, which brought on a whole heap of other ailments to my dad’s health. I have been struggling with the fact that he is really and truly gone, and the fact that a whole year had passed made it even harder. I was planning to visit his grave site, but honestly I have been making every excuse not to go. I think the first year is the hardest, and I pray it gets easier to cope as the years go by.

    • Rachel  September 22, 2019 at 9:42 pm Reply

      Hi,

      I am coming up (Nov 4 2019) of the year anniversary of my dads passing. It was very sudden, no warning 36 hours and he was gone. I feel your pain about the first year being awful. I feel like the first 6 months I did not even know myself, if that makes sense. I thought it was get easier, and maybe some days it is but overall I don’t feel like it is.

      I am sorry for your loss, and I too hope it gets easier as the years go by.

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  43. Darlene  July 7, 2019 at 12:53 pm Reply

    I lost my daughter to cancer. I know she is in a better place, free of pain but my pain has overtaken my life. My heart is breaking. Sometimes I feel like I can’t breathe. I live alone and my every thought is of my precious girl. The anniversary of her passing is July 27. I don’t know how I am going to make it through it. Pray for me and pray that my girl will somehow show me a sign she’s OK.

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    • Moira Hill  July 23, 2019 at 4:37 pm Reply

      Hi Darlene, Ive just found thus site and read your post about losing your precious daughter. My heart goes out to you. I lost my son in January and I’m struggling but I just know that one day you will feel more at peace. I’m praying for you to see a sign that she is happy in heaven now. I truly believe loved ones stay close. God bless.

    • Irene  July 25, 2019 at 1:58 am Reply

      Hi Darlene, Im sorry for your loss. I lost my twin daughter Natalie on July 26, 2017. Her 2 yr anniversary is coming up, I live alone and find it hard to cope. Maybe we can email each other to help us cope ijean2020@yahoo.com my name is Irene. Anyone on here have any coping ideas?

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  44. Anissa  July 3, 2019 at 9:07 am Reply

    Today is the 1 year anniversary of my grandmother’s death. The emotions are hitting me in waves. I helped my mom take care of my grandmother for 6 years. The pain hits differently when you watch someone decline, build your life around their medication schedule, then that dedication is completely gone. I know that death is apart of life, but seeing my mom get very depressed this morning, made me feel so helpless.

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  45. Mary  May 8, 2019 at 10:27 pm Reply

    Shortly after my mother’s passing a woman I worked with approached me. Her kind words of support were appreciated, even when she admitted to me, “It’s been 10 years since my mother died and I still miss her… still grieve her.” I’m sure she meant that you never really get over the death of your mother, but to me, it wasn’t that I wanted to get over anything, I just wanted to feel something different, like a sense of peace and stability. I felt like the best of who I was left with her, so I grieved her and I grieved who I was when she was here. No one ever tells you that when someone you love dies, a large part of yourself goes with them.
    My mother, Carolyn was a remarkable woman who loved her family, dearly and deeply. She saw the best in her kids and was our source of encouragement. Even now, years after her passing, she still sends me her love through others, like an expected hug from a friend or the kind words from someone you work with or even a stranger. She’s still here with us, inspiring us to be happy and to live each day in gratitude. June 13th of this year will be 10 years. I will spend it laughing with those I love and be truly appreciative for a gift I never asked for but was given to me and my siblings. I will spend the day encouraging family, friends and strangers that they matter and that we can share in our losses and celebrate too. Blessings to you all

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    • Nina  November 20, 2020 at 8:22 pm Reply

      Thank you for writing about your mother’s death anniversary. Next week will be the 5th year of my mother passing. I still cry almost every day thinking about her. From the description of your mom, she sounds similar to my mother. My mother died at 1:19 am. I answered the phone call from the hospital. This year her death falls on the same day as last time (Sunday). Despite my husband being with me, I dread that 1:19 am time. Perhaps I
      I will sleep on the couch so I don’t have to relive that awful moment in time.

  46. Jan  April 17, 2019 at 1:06 pm Reply

    I have been doing many of these things year round. My mom died 5 yrs ago in Jan., my dad 1 yr Feb. 12 and my nephew died almost 1 yr. ago in May. I wear my dad’s watch and wedding ring, many of his old t-shirts. Wear mom’s rings and other jewelry. Visit the cemetery often – leave flowers. Sit in mom & dad’s room often (they lived with me). My sister and I talk about them all the time. For my nephew’s birthday, we toasted him and speak of him often. Grief is a real, I can’t come up with a G-rated word. I feel as if I will never get over the loneliness and isolation I feel. My heart will never stop breaking. I pray for direction, but it doesn’t come. I have been to groups and that was a bust. I’ve been to therapy and doesn’t help. My sympathy to everyone who is experiencing what I am feeling.

  47. Ron  February 20, 2019 at 10:06 am Reply

    Evelyn, is it possible that you forgetting your mother’s anniversary on the day of the event was your mother’s gift to you and possibly her way of trying to comfort your by not having you worry about it? Maybe she wants you to make less of it and move on with your life.

    The one year anniversary of my own daughter’s passing is coming up next week. I will never forget her and she knows that. For me, trying to cope with that still is difficult and am actually trying to downplay it more than memorialize her, for my own good. I think a person should do whatever helps them best get through it. I don’t view it as “forgetting”, I see it more as not making it harder than it has to be.

  48. Megan  February 7, 2019 at 7:14 pm Reply

    My mom passed away a decade ago tomorrow. A decade. I grew up, from 16 to 26. I’m a functioning adult, with a job, a nice, healthy relationship, friends, and responsibilities. But it doesn’t change the fact that 10 years ago, my mom did her last dose of crack/cocaine and left me here to figure this out every year. For some reason, the decade part of this is the hardest. Ugh, I’m glad I found this site. Thank you.

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    • Lanette D Sweeney  September 20, 2019 at 12:44 am Reply

      I’m so sorry your mother left you that way. Addiction hijacks our loved ones. My son died of a meth and heroin overdose three years ago and I am trying to focus on the memories of him before the addiction swallowed him. Whether or not you have those memories of your mother, it sounds like you’re doing well. Be proud of yourself. Some grief is like walking around with a sword in your heart… forever… yet somehow learning to breathe around it. I wish you well.

  49. Marlize  February 7, 2019 at 5:45 am Reply

    My grandmother passed away tomorrow one year ago. We found out on 5 Jan 2018 she has pancreas cancer. Mom and I were devastated so we made plans to take my twins to see her all the way from Australia to South Africa to see her and to spend time with her and to meet my twins for the first time in real life. It was a longggg flight and so emotional not knowing what she would look like cause her eyes turned yellow and she lost so much weight so we prepared ourselves. This was the hardest 4 weeks of my life and special at the same time as the twins turned two and she got to celebrate with us and we got many photos of her with them and us. After that she went backwards quickly. I can’t talk about my grandmother to anyone without bawling my eyes out. One year later still feels like yesterday. I miss her so much my heart is still so hurt. When we got back home it still didn’t feel real as it felt like she is still in her home making tea or go visit her sisters. Till today I want to give her a quick call but then reality sinks in ;( I love my mom and grandmother the same way they are both so special to me I also can’t talk to my mom about how I miss my gran because I know she misses her too and we will cry and I don’t want to upset my mom. Mom will call me telling me she misses her and I try to be strong and say something positive but it makes me so sad. As I am typing this I am bawling my eyes out. We want to do something special for her heaven day but we can’t do half of this list as we are in another country and I don’t want to watch her videos or look at photos cause I will cry that feels like for hours. I don’t even know what her fav food was ;( I have so much guilt as I was so busy with my life that I wish I asked her what her fav meal was. I know she loved her classic music and opera which I come to love even more everyday. I feel so much better commenting on this as I can’t to to someone else I am so sensitive to talking about my dear nan. I hope I can figure out what we can do to celebrate her special day…

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  50. graceh marine  December 1, 2018 at 12:43 am Reply

    When I was in phils I always do something for my mom’s birthday I buy her sea foods or cake,she like chocolate cake and ice cream even my mom is not present her memories always there for me,that’s how I honor my mom and show here I celebrate her every coz we do things together when she alive it makes me happy when she smile it reminds me to her kindneaa,gentle,calmness what would I do,I always thankful for her each and her memories leave with me,when I miss her I let it out my feeling being sad I do things that I don’t feel sad I do things like her when I cook it reminds me how gentle she is and always caring person…I would buy snacks that she hide for me and sister lol,when mom have a stick on her hands because she said if we won’t she gonna spank us but my mom couldn’t do it because we were acting silly and we we’re running around the tree and my mom got tired and laugh with us because she couldn’t catch us lol,my son and I celebrate my mom’s birthday we send balloon on the air and I bring to the class cup cake to celebrate mom’s birthday,Everytime I cook food it reminds I tell her let’s eat mom lol and smile??? I have awesome memories with mom love you mom…. Thank you this site

  51. Robin  November 2, 2018 at 10:08 pm Reply

    So I did a quick search of “tomorrow is the anniversary of my father’s death and I don’t know what to do”. It will be four years tomorrow. That was after a three -year battle with lung cancer. I miss my Dad. He was 83. It was me, my mom and dad and my brother. There were and still are issues with my brother and soon after my Dad died the relationship between me and my mother fractured. It’s not that the anniversary sneaks up on me. Like you the crisp air and changing colors of the trees along with the Jewish holidays get the ball rolling for me. This past week has been particularly difficult. The assault on the Tree of Life Synagogue in Pittsburgh was not only painful because it is my hometown, the temple was my father’s and although I do not practice, I remember being there as a child. That coupled with the phone call the day after that my aunt (my Dad’s sister) was failing in the nursing home just blocks away from the tragedy rocked me. I spent time with her the day after that and got the call on Halloween morning that she had passed. She will be buried the day after my father’s anniversary. I didn’t think so much of how I would spend the day. And all of a sudden I had an anxiety attack. And then I realized that the past three anniversaries I had spent at work. I would do my job, but i am lucky that I have the kind of job that I could post on Facebook and cry in my office. Come home, light a candle, have a glass of wine and sing his favorite karaoke songs. But tomorrow is different. There is a long , long day that I have to get through before I can light his candle at dusk, sing at the top of my lungs and drink a couple glasses of wine without sounding like a crazy person in my city neighborhood 🙂 Well..I guess I will prepare for the funeral on Sunday. Nails. I’m overdue for a salon dye job just as I was 4 years ago…so drag there….I’ve gained weight, so I need to buy something to wear. I will make my donations in my Aunt and Dad’s names to the Tree of Life. I will take a moment to be grateful. If only for the fact that they weren’t here to see what happened in their childhood neighborhood. Thank you so much just for the opportunity to post something and get the feelings out. So exhausted and hoping I sleep. But, I am sure I will be reading your posts tomorrow. There is still the hell of all of the holidays…….. Peace and light to you and all of your readers.

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  52. Wendy Blanchard  October 19, 2018 at 11:15 am Reply

    Thank you for this. Your website has been incredibly helpful. I like the no nonsense way the articles are written. We lost our Aysha girl 5 years ago today to suicide at the age of 17. This anniversary is particularly hard. It seems unfathomable that she has been gone that long and I wonder how we have been able to go on. The answer is we don’t have a choice. But we are forever different and this has become a part of who we are, just as she was.

  53. Kym Nash  October 17, 2018 at 12:11 am Reply

    THANKS FOR THE LIST
    My Nan died of a smoking illness nearly 10 years ago and i’m happy with myself for coping the past 10 long hard years,she died when i was 7 and theres 2 days in the year when i feel sad and upset about her and that’s my birthday and her death date ( April 11th),i also kick my myself due to i was having a dinner at my dad’s parents at the time of my nan’s death and none of my family like mum & grandfather (nan’s husband) told me about it until 2 days after the death for 3 years i blamed my mum for her death and then for 7 years i’ve blamed myself as i never got to say goodbye,everytime i look at the pictures of her and me in my grandfathers house,it makes me swell up in tears and i have flashbacks to the funeral,my mum’s Dad nearly a year ago died and i wasn’t affected when he died until i saw the flowers outside his house where i burst into tears in the middle of the street after looking at the flowers for 10 minutes and then i started whacking myself in the head to try and keep it together and it made my mum upset but then i kept her together during the funeral,me & death/grief are a bad mix especially as i have anger issues & autism,when i feel sad about my nan’s death i listen to a song called MY LOVE MY LIFE BY LILLY JAMES,MERYL STREEP & AMANDA SEYFRIED FROM MAMMA MIA 2 AS IT HELPS ME COPE

  54. Caroline  October 9, 2018 at 10:47 pm Reply

    One year ago, my brother was finally reaching a positive overcoming point in his depression battle. He was on new medicine, and actually went for a walk at the track because he was feeling so good. Exactly one year ago, I was so optimistic of the future and living in this bubble of never having suffered an unexpected death of an immediate family member. On October 10, 2017 between 730-745am I received a phone call that changed my very existence forever. I looked down at my phone at the red light on my way to work, to see my mom calling. I answered. “He’s dead. Andrew is dead.” Words that replay in my memory like the worst broken record I’ve ever heard. How could this be? Are you serious? How could my 33 year old brother really be dead ? He struggled with depression and substance abuse for years, but how NOW when he finally was getting help could this happen? I am broken. I thought I would die when I got that call. I did not see any way to live without my brother. Yet, here we are a year later, and somehow I am still living & breathing & working & being a mom & soccer coach, and my life is still rolling forward despite what I thought. I still google looking for encouragement regularly, but the pain now really is more bearable than what I felt a year ago. I guess what I’m trying to say, is just keep on keeping on and do the best you can do everyday in spite of your grief and pain. I am learning it really is a process and with time the stabbing knife eases its grasp. No I will never talk to my brother again, but just look how he has manipulated a storm into giving me a day off tomorrow for his death anniversary. I know his spirit is with me, and somehow life with continue forward.

  55. Renee  September 26, 2018 at 12:01 am Reply

    My mother was in a fatal car accident when I was 8, (October 1st 1997) I am now 29 and my “anniversary death date” reaction has changed significantly. I used to drink in my early 20’s – people always assumed it was my way if forgetting. It wasn’t. It was alcohol made me forget the social allowances and allowed me to remember. People want you to move on and “remember the good time” but that isn’t always the case. When you’re young and lose a parent forgetting is inevitable . Things become hazy and you can’t remember the details. Well, for me, alcohol brought to surface some of the memories I had forgotten. Talking with a buzz was much easier to open the hatch. It made me remember…. but after going through years of that unhealthy solution, I don’t any more. The people around me know know about my mother and how I feel. Now, I take these unfortunate days and make the best. I call my grandma, i speak to people who feel the same loss and like about how I fiddle with my shirt in uncomfortable situations just like my mom did. I make her favorite dish, I look through her purse with old grocery receipts, pictures, and chapstick in it. That’s what makes me happy. Being reminded how human she was and how much she loved siblings and I. It’s hard and it’s a long road. It took me over 15 years to realize what I was doing was only toxic for myself. We are all just pawns in the universe and we should be thankful that we had our parents for as long as we did. They helped mold us into who we are. I hope each and every child from parent-loss can come to the same to conclusion, I just hope it doesn’t take you as long as me.

  56. Roxana  September 24, 2018 at 4:09 am Reply

    Thank you for sharing this post! Today is the first anniversary since my mom past away. I looked at old pictures, listened to a voice memo (recorded a week before she passed) and ended everything by writing her a letter, updating her of everything that happened in the last year, from her funeral to today. It is hard for me to express my feelings, but writing the letter allowed me to organize my thoughts and gave a clear passage to my grief and sadness.
    Reading everybody else’s comments, it gave me hope, strength and I allowed myself to grief. To cry and miss her. I was scared of looking at old pictures and the pictures I took the day she passed, to be depressed again. After I did my new ritual, I felt closer to her. Everybody here is so inspiring and gives me hope and peace knowing I’m not alone in this process. I miss her so much, being an only child too. I will probably bake her favourite cake for her birthday.
    Thank you all!

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  57. Rick  August 3, 2018 at 8:46 am Reply

    My wife lost her mom 1 year ago today. My wife is an only child & her mom was a single parent since my wife was 5. They were more like sisters, or best friends than mother & child. She feels totally alone in that there is no one who had that same type of relationship with her mom & so no one can understand her pain. Today our plan is to park a weekend get away bag, and just go. Go any place or direction but towards the grave site. I found this site while looking for a different designation than ‘anniversary of her death’. Has anyone come up with a more pleasant phrase. “Deathday” sounds like a bad horror movie & Deathiversary, just don’t work for me either… no unkindness meant to those who use it. I’m just another person lost in this journey to love my best friend & better half, who is struggling not feel totally alone.

    • Kristi  November 5, 2018 at 8:55 pm Reply

      I’ve heard other folks refer to their loved one’s anniversary day as their “Heaven Day”. We’re approaching the 1 year anniversary of my Dad’s death. Somehow these words bring comfort. Another thought is to have my family pick out special fake flowers, one for each. And then to use sharpies and write a message to my Dad on the underside of each flower petal. Then place it on his gravestone. You can buy a sealer spray in any craft store to preserve the same. This idea could be done on any special day like a b-day etc.

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  58. Shawn  July 7, 2018 at 5:57 pm Reply

    My mom passed away this time last year in July. Her and my Dad both died violently. I’m trying to cope with this. This is crazy I’m an only child. Well at least they’re together in heaven. God bless all of you.

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  59. Cathlyn  May 3, 2018 at 6:23 pm Reply

    It is very interested to see a few different posts of parents whose child has died on May 3. My Caleb died May 3 2015. He was three years old. Today has not been as bad as the last two weeks. I think the anticipation hurts more than the actually day. Maybe seeing May 3 is a confirmation that everything is ok.

  60. Cathlyn  May 3, 2018 at 6:23 pm Reply

    It is very interested to see a few different posts of parents whose child has died on May 3. My Caleb died May 3 2015. He was three years old. Today has not been as bad as the last two weeks. I think the anticipation hurts more than the actually day. Maybe seeing May 3 is a confirmation that everything is ok.

  61. Nancy  May 1, 2018 at 9:53 pm Reply

    This is some wonderful ideas. I lost my mom Jan 3, 2018. She had end stage copd. She was an absolutely wonderful, kind person who would help anyone. She worked so hard to raise 6 kids, run a home , work full time and deal with my dad and take care of my ill gma who lived with us for 10 yrs. I’m a hospice nurse. And losing my own mother has committed me even more to help those in need. I can speak from personal experience on losing a close loved one. She had her last exacerbation of copd in July 2017. And ended up on a ventilator. She made this choice. I asked her mom what do you want done? And she wanted them to save her. Her first and only great grandchild was expected in 2 weeks. My grandson. She wanted to see him and have more time with us. I knew as a hospice nurse her days were numbered. But as her daughter I didn’t want to fully believe it. I wanted to believe she had more time and maybe just maybe couple more yrs. Christmas was amazing and we had to have it at the nursing home where she was staying while my siblings who lived with her were being trained on taking care of her. I live 3 hrs away. They were almost ready to send her home when she passed. It was a matter of maybe couple weeks? I think she went so that my siblings wouldn’t have to deal with her dying on them. The guilt they would of felt would of been horrible and she couldn’t live with that. She just stopped breathing one morning before my brother got there. The pain I feel is indescribable. The loss unimaginable. It was helpful to read others stories here about their loss of their wonderful loved ones too. This to shall pass. Yes in some ways, It will. But the loss we feel never will pass. We will just learn to live with it and move forward in our lives. They will always be with us and they will continue to live thru us thru our love and our memories. My children and I are going to make a scrap book called memories of maw. And share pics and diff stories of good times with her. I feel this is therapeutic for all of us. And a way to not forget precious stories and memories about her. May god bless you all

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  62. Nancy  May 1, 2018 at 9:53 pm Reply

    This is some wonderful ideas. I lost my mom Jan 3, 2018. She had end stage copd. She was an absolutely wonderful, kind person who would help anyone. She worked so hard to raise 6 kids, run a home , work full time and deal with my dad and take care of my ill gma who lived with us for 10+ yrs. I’m a hospice nurse. And losing my own mother has committed me even more to help those in need. I can speak from personal experience on losing a close loved one. She had her last exacerbation of copd in July 2017. And ended up on a ventilator. She made this choice. I asked her mom what do you want done? And she wanted them to save her. Her first and only great grandchild was expected in 2 weeks. My grandson. She wanted to see him and have more time with us. I knew as a hospice nurse her days were numbered. But as her daughter I didn’t want to fully believe it. I wanted to believe she had more time and maybe just maybe couple more yrs. Christmas was amazing and we had to have it at the nursing home where she was staying while my siblings who lived with her were being trained on taking care of her. I live 3 hrs away. They were almost ready to send her home when she passed. It was a matter of maybe couple weeks? I think she went so that my siblings wouldn’t have to deal with her dying on them. The guilt they would of felt would of been horrible and she couldn’t live with that. She just stopped breathing one morning before my brother got there. The pain I feel is indescribable. The loss unimaginable. It was helpful to read others stories here about their loss of their wonderful loved ones too. This to shall pass. Yes in some ways, It will. But the loss we feel never will pass. We will just learn to live with it and move forward in our lives. They will always be with us and they will continue to live thru us thru our love and our memories. My children and I are going to make a scrap book called memories of maw. And share pics and diff stories of good times with her. I feel this is therapeutic for all of us. And a way to not forget precious stories and memories about her. May god bless you all

  63. Queen  May 1, 2018 at 11:35 am Reply

    My siblings and I will be celebrating out mother’s 10 year homegoing anniversary. We were/are very close to our beloved angel Princess & each other. She didn’t speak of many regrets, but not taking a formal family picture was one of them. I/we are looking forward to honoring her desire this June, as it will be the first time in 10 years that we will all be together. I know it will be extremely emotional, but I also feel great sense of solace knowing that there are only 5 other people who know exactly the depth of love we have for a woman we are honored to call “mother.” We are also having a celebration of life, and a re-commitment to family ceremony. We will share special memories, her favorite sayings, food, and love on each other. She is missed beyond measure but lives on through each of my siblings, our children and myself. Our loss was devastating but boy am I thankful to continue learning from her many lessons. I cherish her with every fiber of my being. God speed each and everyone in this club I wish we did not have to be apart of.

  64. Queen  May 1, 2018 at 11:35 am Reply

    My siblings and I will be celebrating out mother’s 10 year homegoing anniversary. We were/are very close to our beloved angel Princess & each other. She didn’t speak of many regrets, but not taking a formal family picture was one of them. I/we are looking forward to honoring her desire this June, as it will be the first time in 10 years that we will all be together. I know it will be extremely emotional, but I also feel great sense of solace knowing that there are only 5 other people who know exactly the depth of love we have for a woman we are honored to call “mother.” We are also having a celebration of life, and a re-commitment to family ceremony. We will share special memories, her favorite sayings, food, and love on each other. She is missed beyond measure but lives on through each of my siblings, our children and myself. Our loss was devastating but boy am I thankful to continue learning from her many lessons. I cherish her with every fiber of my being. God speed each and everyone in this club I wish we did not have to be apart of.

  65. Peter Thom  April 5, 2018 at 11:51 am Reply

    Great article 🙂 One service that we found very helpful was Celestial Rise, they send cremated ashes to the edge of Space – which sounds all out there and fancy, but it wasn’t really about that. We had the ashes of my father for a while, with no great ideas what to do with them. As Dad’s anniversary came round a friend recommended Celestial Rise, saying you can make your own day and own way to say goodbye. Basically we were able to invite our family and friends, plus some of Dad’s old friends to a brilliant get together, where we told stories about Dad, lit candles and then let Dad go – watching him float up to the stars in this giant balloon. It was amazing and such a nice way to let him go, to do something nice with the ashes – and has helped me and the family move on a little. Worth a look to see if it’s for you – http://www.celestialrise.com

  66. Peter Thom  April 5, 2018 at 11:51 am Reply

    Great article 🙂 One service that we found very helpful was Celestial Rise, they send cremated ashes to the edge of Space – which sounds all out there and fancy, but it wasn’t really about that. We had the ashes of my father for a while, with no great ideas what to do with them. As Dad’s anniversary came round a friend recommended Celestial Rise, saying you can make your own day and own way to say goodbye. Basically we were able to invite our family and friends, plus some of Dad’s old friends to a brilliant get together, where we told stories about Dad, lit candles and then let Dad go – watching him float up to the stars in this giant balloon. It was amazing and such a nice way to let him go, to do something nice with the ashes – and has helped me and the family move on a little. Worth a look to see if it’s for you – http://www.celestialrise.com

  67. Erika  March 22, 2018 at 10:10 pm Reply

    It’ll be 5 years May 3rd since my first born, my t year old son passed away of wilms tumor. A childhood kidney cancer. Not a day goes by that I dont struggle to hide my pain for my other 2 kids. Especially my daughter. Shes 6. She just lost her father October 11th…3 days after my sons 10th birthday. We have kept each other strong through many hard days. She’s my strength and I try my hardest to be hers. Life will never be the same without him here with us. We find some peace knowing he has his dad with him now. But the pain for us is still so fresh. I am not sure what to do for his anniversary. In a way I want to be alone amd just cry all day. But I know thats not what he would want. Another part of me wants to find a way to raise $ to give to the hospital that cared for him for the year he fought his battle. I have about 5 weeks to figure it out. ? Praying I find the strength to get through that day.

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  68. Erika  March 22, 2018 at 10:10 pm Reply

    It’ll be 5 years May 3rd since my first born, my t year old son passed away of wilms tumor. A childhood kidney cancer. Not a day goes by that I dont struggle to hide my pain for my other 2 kids. Especially my daughter. Shes 6. She just lost her father October 11th…3 days after my sons 10th birthday. We have kept each other strong through many hard days. She’s my strength and I try my hardest to be hers. Life will never be the same without him here with us. We find some peace knowing he has his dad with him now. But the pain for us is still so fresh. I am not sure what to do for his anniversary. In a way I want to be alone amd just cry all day. But I know thats not what he would want. Another part of me wants to find a way to raise $ to give to the hospital that cared for him for the year he fought his battle. I have about 5 weeks to figure it out. ? Praying I find the strength to get through that day.

  69. Chris  February 8, 2018 at 2:27 pm Reply

    16 Years ago today my father passed. In 8 months, Oct 7th, will be the day my mother passed 16 years ago as well. They both past of 2 different cancers 16 years ago, 8 months apart. How time doesn’t stop….. Usually July 1st is the hardest day of the year, their anniversary. As I look back on 16 without my parents I wonder to myself how I ever made it! (I can see my mother laughing at me now, she had an incredible sense of humor.)
    Many people do not understand when I say, “My parents taught me more in their deaths than in life.” When growing up, my parents taught me so much from manners to working hard to being good to family. Losing both mom and dad in 8 months, you can imagine what the first 2 years were like. But something happened, I started seeing my parents differently. As I never am in short supply of witty comeback’s or sarcastic remarks, (like my mother), something would fly out of my mouth and I would think to myself, “mom would have liked that.” And sadness didn’t take over me……. A smile would come to my face. That’s when I embraced all they taught me. Working harder, raising my son with my parents on my mind more, enjoying the thought that my father was fishing on God’s pond and my mom reading the Heaven’s version of Readers Digest. Don’t get me wrong, it never goes “away”….. Some days you deal with it better than others. My mom would always say, “this too shall pass.” Well, it doesn’t ever pass, but sometimes I want the thought of them around without the sadness. I am grateful for all they taught me and grateful for keeping them close when it was the hardest to enough them this close without the sadness. There’s a wisdom I have come to know, though it could be said I paid a dear price for such wisdom, my parents. However, at 50 the wisdom I have come to embrace is the closeness with them after the initial grieving process.
    Allow yourself to grief
    Allow yourself to cry
    Allow yourself to let your lost loved ones live through you
    Allow yourself closeness with them again…. with smiles

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  70. Chris  February 8, 2018 at 2:27 pm Reply

    16 Years ago today my father passed. In 8 months, Oct 7th, will be the day my mother passed 16 years ago as well. They both past of 2 different cancers 16 years ago, 8 months apart. How time doesn’t stop….. Usually July 1st is the hardest day of the year, their anniversary. As I look back on 16 without my parents I wonder to myself how I ever made it! (I can see my mother laughing at me now, she had an incredible sense of humor.)
    Many people do not understand when I say, “My parents taught me more in their deaths than in life.” When growing up, my parents taught me so much from manners to working hard to being good to family. Losing both mom and dad in 8 months, you can imagine what the first 2 years were like. But something happened, I started seeing my parents differently. As I never am in short supply of witty comeback’s or sarcastic remarks, (like my mother), something would fly out of my mouth and I would think to myself, “mom would have liked that.” And sadness didn’t take over me……. A smile would come to my face. That’s when I embraced all they taught me. Working harder, raising my son with my parents on my mind more, enjoying the thought that my father was fishing on God’s pond and my mom reading the Heaven’s version of Readers Digest. Don’t get me wrong, it never goes “away”….. Some days you deal with it better than others. My mom would always say, “this too shall pass.” Well, it doesn’t ever pass, but sometimes I want the thought of them around without the sadness. I am grateful for all they taught me and grateful for keeping them close when it was the hardest to enough them this close without the sadness. There’s a wisdom I have come to know, though it could be said I paid a dear price for such wisdom, my parents. However, at 50 the wisdom I have come to embrace is the closeness with them after the initial grieving process.
    Allow yourself to grief
    Allow yourself to cry
    Allow yourself to let your lost loved ones live through you
    Allow yourself closeness with them again…. with smiles

  71. Mona  January 8, 2018 at 11:48 pm Reply

    These posts have really helped me. I lost my mom February 20, 2017. I can’t believe that it has almost been a year. Her birthday is this week and I don’t know what to do for her. I want to honor her, but I also want to pretend like she is still here. The pain of not having her is so much more painful then I could ever imagine. I am not alone. She has touched alot of people and I don’t want to make this any harder for anyone. I have never wanted to go back in time until now. I feel like an orphan even though I am a grown woman. I just want my mommy. When I think of all the difficult times my mom had before she passed away, I get so sad and frustrated. She deserved a fun and full life. I pray she is in heaven as happy as can be. I love and miss her more then I could ever express. I hope everyone that has lost someone, feels thier love and presence.

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  72. Mona  January 8, 2018 at 11:48 pm Reply

    These posts have really helped me. I lost my mom February 20, 2017. I can’t believe that it has almost been a year. Her birthday is this week and I don’t know what to do for her. I want to honor her, but I also want to pretend like she is still here. The pain of not having her is so much more painful then I could ever imagine. I am not alone. She has touched alot of people and I don’t want to make this any harder for anyone. I have never wanted to go back in time until now. I feel like an orphan even though I am a grown woman. I just want my mommy. When I think of all the difficult times my mom had before she passed away, I get so sad and frustrated. She deserved a fun and full life. I pray she is in heaven as happy as can be. I love and miss her more then I could ever express. I hope everyone that has lost someone, feels thier love and presence.

    • Dawn  February 18, 2018 at 7:28 pm Reply

      I was just reading through posts and saw yours. I lost my mom February 23, 2017, just 3 days after you lost yours. That day is coming soon and my heart is still aching. I miss my mom so much and don’t know how I make it through each day, but I did because it’s been almost a year… and has not been the same since that day last year. Peace to you this wee…..

      • Brian Cudnik  February 21, 2018 at 9:35 pm

        I was looking through Mona and your comments and it caught my attention…Mona’s mom passed February 20, 2017, yours passed February 23, 2017; my beloved mom died one year ago today, February 21, 2017. And us guys can be just as devastated by the loss, we just do not tend to talk about it/express it as openly as the ladies. But I cried more in the past year than any other year since childhood. The pain is still real but I am managing a bit better one day at a time. Now my mother in law is in hospice care and it is bringing back the memories of events around my mom’s passing, but the big difference is that my mom’s was sudden and semi-unexpected. Today went surprisingly well, I took off from work to spend the day reflecting and all, and it was good. Interesting also that Billy Graham should pass on the one year anniversary of my Mom’s passing.

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  73. Jennifer  November 29, 2017 at 11:32 pm Reply

    Hello guys,

    I lost my mom from congestive heart failure, we didn’t know anything about it until she had a heart attack. She passed away at age 61, (I’m 35). Numb, in denial I guess you can say. She passed away December 21st, 2016. I have a bunch of “should of” things I need to deal with. My mother and me were like sisters, we would talk to each other almost every day. She was my best friend. I am now very lost, I’m trying to “ignore” the fact she is passed because I have to keep strong for my 2 kids. My daughter is having a really hard time about it. She was super close to her also. She said, “I feel like I lost my other mother.” it took my breath away to hear a 10 year old say that. Honestly I don’t really know why I am telling my story. She hated winter and she died the first day of winter. Her grandmother(nanny) died December 21 also (years back). it’s so weird to see someone you are so close to just disappear out of your life in physical form. I have her ashes on my mantel, I also have a necklace (don’t wear much, because it is so big and heavy). But now, My 10 year old daughter has asked me for a necklace with grand maw’s ashes in it. I don’t know if I should do it or not…. would it be creepy? They were super, super close and I know she wants something to have of hers. All of grandmas clothes are gone. I can’t give her much of anything, I don’t have much to give. I just know this first year has sucked. Her Birthday was November 18th… I slept almost the whole day to keep from thinking about it or crying. Because of that experience December 21st is going to be super hard. To make things worse, we had her memorial the day after Christmas….so December and Christmas is a downer for me. My main worry is helping my daughter through this. I don’t know what to do about her. I wish I could make my daughter whole again. I know I can’t, a really big part of her is gone, so how do I help her cope with it? She wants something tangible for her to touch and feel that helps her be near grand ma. What do y’all think… suggestions would be greatly appreciated, also should I get her a small heart necklace to put a tiny bit of grand ma in there so my daughter will feel close to her?

  74. Jennifer  November 29, 2017 at 11:32 pm Reply

    Hello guys,

    I lost my mom from congestive heart failure, we didn’t know anything about it until she had a heart attack. She passed away at age 61, (I’m 35). Numb, in denial I guess you can say. She passed away December 21st, 2016. I have a bunch of “should of” things I need to deal with. My mother and me were like sisters, we would talk to each other almost every day. She was my best friend. I am now very lost, I’m trying to “ignore” the fact she is passed because I have to keep strong for my 2 kids. My daughter is having a really hard time about it. She was super close to her also. She said, “I feel like I lost my other mother.” it took my breath away to hear a 10 year old say that. Honestly I don’t really know why I am telling my story. She hated winter and she died the first day of winter. Her grandmother(nanny) died December 21 also (years back). it’s so weird to see someone you are so close to just disappear out of your life in physical form. I have her ashes on my mantel, I also have a necklace (don’t wear much, because it is so big and heavy). But now, My 10 year old daughter has asked me for a necklace with grand maw’s ashes in it. I don’t know if I should do it or not…. would it be creepy? They were super, super close and I know she wants something to have of hers. All of grandmas clothes are gone. I can’t give her much of anything, I don’t have much to give. I just know this first year has sucked. Her Birthday was November 18th… I slept almost the whole day to keep from thinking about it or crying. Because of that experience December 21st is going to be super hard. To make things worse, we had her memorial the day after Christmas….so December and Christmas is a downer for me. My main worry is helping my daughter through this. I don’t know what to do about her. I wish I could make my daughter whole again. I know I can’t, a really big part of her is gone, so how do I help her cope with it? She wants something tangible for her to touch and feel that helps her be near grand ma. What do y’all think… suggestions would be greatly appreciated, also should I get her a small heart necklace to put a tiny bit of grand ma in there so my daughter will feel close to her?

    • Annie  December 1, 2017 at 7:04 am Reply

      Jennifer,

      It is not creepy at all to give your daughter a necklace with some of your mother’s ashes. Honestly, it is probably something she will cherish for the rest of her life. My mother died unexpectedly as well at 56 on Dec 2, 2016, and I was 31. I used to sleep with the angel statue I have with her ashes in it. I have learned not to fight the grief. Your body needs to get it out. This doesn’t mean I plan on wasting the whole day being sad, but rather I can be sad and still go on with my day- as she would want me to. On her birthday I made her favorite meal. I’m not sure how I will be honoring her tomorrow, but I know I will not be fighting my feelings of sadness. Take care Jennifer!

    • Jasmine  December 14, 2017 at 4:44 pm Reply

      Hi Jennifer,
      My father, at the young age of 49 passed away last year on December 20th, 2016. I was 17 at the time, now 18, and still have a hard time dealing with the loss of such an influential man in my life. My mother is now left with my 3 siblings and I, to struggle through the bad days and cherish the happy ones.
      I don’t think giving your daughter the necklace would resemble anything ‘creepy’. She asked for it with the obvious intent of having a piece of her grandmother with her. Having a younger brother around her age, my family and I did everything we could to ensure he felt loved, specifically choosing to give him my fathers university graduation ring.
      Best of luck finding strength this month.

    • Emily  January 21, 2018 at 11:18 am Reply

      We had jewelry made with the ashes of my children’s dad. They are very special pieces. My 16yo wears her necklace nearly everyday.

  75. Beth Bishop  November 15, 2017 at 2:24 am Reply

    Fantastic Post! I totally agree and have given the same advice to many of my friends who have asked the same question. Drawing on the right side of the brain is great. My mom read it when I was young and a budding artist to help guide me. Thanks for your terrific information.

  76. Beth Bishop  November 15, 2017 at 2:24 am Reply

    Fantastic Post! I totally agree and have given the same advice to many of my friends who have asked the same question. Drawing on the right side of the brain is great. My mom read it when I was young and a budding artist to help guide me. Thanks for your terrific information.

  77. Meg  November 6, 2017 at 9:48 pm Reply

    In two days, November 8th will mark one year since my mom died of colon cancer at only 58 years old. She was fighting for 18 months and I took care of her while she was in hospice at my aunts home . It’s been really hard the past couple weeks waiting for the anniversary and reliving the last few weeks of her life in my head. Although I know she is no longer in pain, I can’t help but want her here with me. It was always her and me growing up and I still need her guidance, I have more growing up to do. Although I have extended family here for me now and I’m very grateful they are there, my home is gone. My person to turn to gone. I just miss her so much. I appreciate the ideas of what I can do to honor her. All I can hope for is to feel her with me more.

  78. Meg  November 6, 2017 at 9:48 pm Reply

    In two days, November 8th will mark one year since my mom died of colon cancer at only 58 years old. She was fighting for 18 months and I took care of her while she was in hospice at my aunts home . It’s been really hard the past couple weeks waiting for the anniversary and reliving the last few weeks of her life in my head. Although I know she is no longer in pain, I can’t help but want her here with me. It was always her and me growing up and I still need her guidance, I have more growing up to do. Although I have extended family here for me now and I’m very grateful they are there, my home is gone. My person to turn to gone. I just miss her so much. I appreciate the ideas of what I can do to honor her. All I can hope for is to feel her with me more.

    1
  79. Beth Bishop  October 2, 2017 at 7:29 am Reply

    hi! great idea but im a bit confused so after you finish tieing the first 3 knots and you close the opening in-between them, do you go and tie the next 3 and repeat the process or do you continue as if you were closing the holes in between? and also how do you finish it off
    Thanks x

  80. Beth Bishop  October 2, 2017 at 7:29 am Reply

    hi! great idea but im a bit confused so after you finish tieing the first 3 knots and you close the opening in-between them, do you go and tie the next 3 and repeat the process or do you continue as if you were closing the holes in between? and also how do you finish it off
    Thanks x

  81. been thru it a few times  September 8, 2017 at 11:37 am Reply

    I was widowed at age 34, left with two young kids. Have lost parents and only sibling since then. Have lost many friends and coworkers. RATHER than weep and ‘celebrate’ the anniversary of DEATH and relive that familiar pain, for me, it was most helpful to get a grip on ‘death being a part of Life’ and focus on what’s here on earth which is ALIVE speto love and enjoy. Living is what we HAVE. We have God-given gifts to share with others…time spent in pity past a couple of years is time for professional grief counseling. No one enjoys being depressed. Granted, a tragic death is one harder to deal with than expected (elderly parent) but a loss is a loss. THINKING OF OTHERS’ needs is far more rewarding and productive! I know my first loved one’s advice would be ‘Hey, have a good life and enjoy!’ and he would not be ‘honored’ by yearly death anniversary parties. just sayin’ that was him.

  82. Nickoi Scott  August 17, 2017 at 10:40 pm Reply

    My boyfriend of 5 years died on June 24, 2017 which also happened to be his birthday in a car crash. He was 25years old. We live in Jamaica which isn’t a large country. However we live on opposite sides of the country because of work. That Saturday morning I didn’t get a text from him a Ying how much he loved me and I didn’t send one because I was in a hurry for work. At about 9am the security officer called me and when I went outside there was Omar with a single white rose in his hands and a big grin on his face. They drove 3 hours to come see me. On their way back home his friend crashed. I was so excited to see him that I forgot to remind him as usual to wear his seat belt.
    October 15th would’ve been our anniversary. I still cry everyday. Still unable to cope. There was no one on the earth like him. We had plans to get married and start a family. All I can do that help me cope is looking back at photos and reminiscing on our memories. And watching videos we made. I miss him dearly. He was my best friend, comforter, doctor, my everything.

    • Kim Jelley  October 1, 2017 at 9:23 am Reply

      Hi,

      I have a similar story to yours in that the love of life of ten years passed away suddenly on April 3, 2016. I know the pain your feeling and continue to feel the effects of grief everyday… some things that have helped me are reading books about grief, seeing a therapist who specializes in grief work, placing photos in my house of him(I even carry a photo of him in my pocket book everywhere I go) . For me seeing his picture comforts me and helps me to feel like I’m not so alone. Even though there are days where It hurts to look at his beautiful face in that frame. Grief is a nightmare but it is something we can survive. Honoring your boyfriend and allowing your self to feel the pain and devastation is the best advice I can give you. The pain will never go away but it will soften and at times it will return with full affect. We are survivors, and it’s important to focus on one day at a time, not overwhelm ourselves with the weeks, months and years to come without our loved one. I hope this post has helped you and hope it gives you the courage to hold on as you walk through your grief journey. Reach out if you need to.

  83. Amy  July 29, 2017 at 7:21 am Reply

    I lost my Grandma on 11th September in 2016 by cancer when they found the cancer it was to late to treat her it was already spreading to the rest of her body and making her very ill. As it came to the last stages it was so hard to look after her my grandma wasn’t the same grandma the has raised me the last 8 years. now this September on the 11th is the one year anniversary of her death. Life is not the same without her here by my side and supporting me on every decision i make. Its like there a massive hole in my heart and my heart is broken for ever and ever and is never going to be the same without my Nan by my side to comfort me when i’m down or need someone to talk to. my nan may be gone but she will be NEVER forgotten always her by my side and in my heart for EVER and EVER.

    • Kim  August 12, 2017 at 10:34 am Reply

      Thank you for your suggestions. Tomorrow will be six years since losing my husband. What a journey! I have also lost my mom, dad, and brother. I think by doing something to honor him also helps me forgive myself. The guilt of the should ofs and could ofs seem to wash away, at least for that moment. Now just have to decide what to do this year.

  84. Lisa Capone  June 6, 2017 at 2:19 pm Reply

    Tomorrow, June 7, 2017, is the one year anniversary of my father’s passing from Alzheimer’s. Today was the day that my mother got the phone call from the nursing home saying that my father had stopped breathing when they were bathing him and they had to call an ambulance to take him to the hospital. Later that day at the hospital, we had to make the agonizing decision as a family to withhold medications and just keep him comfortable with palliative care until he passed. They weren’t sure how long it would take for him to pass. The next morning, at 10:10 a.m., I got the phone call from the hospital saying my dad had passed. My mother has had a very rough year without him and as a result has lost a lot of weight and went into a depression. I’ve noticed recently that she has turned a corner and gotten a little better. I was thinking of maybe planting something in their backyard that will come back every year. My father loved gardening and had quite the green thumb, but I’m not really looking forward to tomorrow.

  85. Lynda  May 3, 2017 at 3:52 pm Reply

    Thanks for this post. Your suggestions were awesome. Tomorrow, May 4th, will be the one year “angel-versary” of my husband’s sudden death from a heart attack. We’ve decided to do random acts of service throughout the day to remember him. He loved serving others in small ways. We figured that would be the best way to remember him.

  86. Tonya Brown  May 3, 2017 at 3:21 pm Reply

    I’m on my way right now to Virginia to have a 21 gun solute for my dads funeral on Friday morning. I lost my father in law two days after thanksgiving 2016 my daughter had our first grandson on April 8th and my dad died the day before his sons 37th birthday. I am so numb…. I HATE THIS FEELING. I WANT HIM BACK.

  87. Theo.  February 13, 2017 at 10:08 am Reply

    10th February marks two years of my sweet wonderful wife,there’s not a single day I didn’t remember her since she died,she died from a swollen neck after only one week she got that swollen neck,and it just killing my soul. my life is a struggle without her,writing this makes me cry now,and I’m gonna celebrate her death to the fullest. . thanks for your blog ,it’s helpful.

  88. Rhonda Westfall  February 9, 2017 at 9:15 am Reply

    Life keeps going on and I thought after my only child died in sleep,that it should all stop.
    I can feel your pain, after I read the bottom of your page.
    Your faith in God and his son Jesus is very important. They will help with you’re pain.
    If your brother was suppose to be here, God would see to that.
    Living your life with a broken heart is something that only you know the pain. But God knows. And if you ask him in Jesus name,he can help you carry on and when time on earth is over, you get to see him again.
    Keep the faith.

  89. Rhonda Westfall  February 4, 2017 at 3:41 pm Reply

    There is a ” Go fund me ” online that you can do pictures and tell your story. Ask some of your dearest friends to help you in doing a yard sale in your son’s name. They may have others that might want to give them things to sell also.
    If you would like to contact me, please do so. I lost my only child. He was 20. It has been 3 years ago. I know that pain.

  90. ANGIE  February 4, 2017 at 4:11 am Reply

    MY 19 YEAR OLD SON DIED IN A FATAL MOTORCYCLE ACCIDENT ON MARCH 1, 2016. NEXT MONTH WILL BE THE FIRST YEAR ANNIVERSARY OF MY SON MARTINS PASSING. I CAME ACROSS THIS WEBSITE I READ SOME OF YOUR IDEAS BUT WAS WONDERING IF YOU OR ANYONE WHO READS MY POST CAN GIVE ME IDEAS ON WHAT KIND OF FUNDRAISERS I CAN HAVE TO RAISE MONEY TO PAY FOR MY SONS MARKER. I HAD JUST GOT HIRED AND STARTED WORKING FOR A RETAIL STORE IN FEBRUARY 2016 THEN A FEW WEEKS AFTER MY SON PASSED AWAY AND I HAVE’NT BEEN ABLE TO RETURN TO WORK. THANK YOU

    • Ginger Lane  April 28, 2017 at 3:16 am Reply

      Here’s what I would do. Over the years when I’ve had a need that I couldn’t afford, I would trade.
      You could possibly trade working for them part time, making them something crafty for their business or just ask them if you can pay a small amount and get it when it’s paid.

    • Claudia  May 7, 2017 at 12:08 am Reply

      My brother passed away in a motorcycle accident too. His 1 year anniversary is in June. You should set up a go fund me account to try and get donations to help you out.

  91. Chrissy  December 9, 2016 at 10:20 pm Reply

    On Monday it will be one month that my mother became an angel. She left us after a three and a half year battle with pancreatic cancer. My mother was such a fighter. I find that my days are getting harder instead of easier. My family and I have tried to do the things she would normally do (Thankgiving). It has been difficult. Her favorite holiday was Christmas so I set up a little tree. Her one month is Monday and I am planning on letting balloons go. Thank you so much for this blog.

  92. Jamila  October 8, 2016 at 4:33 pm Reply

    December 20th 2016 will be the first anniversary of my mum’s death. Her bday will be on nov 2nd. I miss her so much and feel like i can’t go on. I dread the days ahead. I really don’t know how to prepare for this. This blog has helped me a lot tho. I thank you all for your contibutions

  93. Vicki McClifty  October 8, 2016 at 2:48 am Reply

    It was 4 years this September since I lost our 23 year old son very suddenly. Finally i felt like celebrating his life on his anniversary with my husband and our 4 children. We planned ahead – I made all his favourite dishes, we watched old home videos, we shared funny stories and made a toast to our son between us. I set up the table and chairs to include him in the celebrations and it really felt like he was there with us ? The day was beautiful however the grief hit me strongly a day after between his anniversary and his birthday 3 weeks later. Seems you can’t avoid those deep despairing feelings of loss. This year I accepted them as just how things will be always knowing September will always be so very emotional for me. That’s ok with me now ? I’m just starting to pick myself up again the last couple of days. That is definitely an improvement on 2015 where the last 6 months of the year were terrible and the two years prior when every day was so very painful. Now I’m ok and I’m getting ready for Christmas- the never ending grief roller coaster ?? if we can survive the loss of a child we can survive anything…. I certainly now know where my priorities lie and now I’m so passionate about helping others who have travelled a similar path. Carrying through my son’s mission (his tattoo read:) pursuit of happiness with diligence which he proudly displayed on his body. Now I’m making his life purpose count. ??

    • Dianne  July 31, 2017 at 9:30 am Reply

      Vicki, thanks for sharing this. My son was murdered during a burglary of his home while he slept in bed. He was 27 yrs old and his birthday was 3 weeks later as well. It will be 10 months on 8/1/17. I am having a really rough week this week as it is now one year since I last saw him, saw his smile and got to hug him while he was alive. I know people talk about the year of ” firsts” and I am past most of them but fail to see that the “seconds , thirds and forever mores” will be much easier. Hope they are right. Thanks for listening

      • Casey  August 15, 2019 at 12:28 pm

        Diane, my sincerest condolences on the loss of your son in such a horrific way. I myself lost my daughter 8/22/18 and she was also murdered in her bed. She was kidnapped, tied up, raped, and strangled. We just recently finished with the trial for the man who did this to her and thankfully he is going to prison for life without the possibility of parole but it does not change the wake of hurt and pain left behind by such an evil act.

        I hope that you were able to find who did this to your son as well.

        I was on here though just looking for ideas to hold a traditional memorial service for my daughter as the anniversary of her death is fast approaching.

        Thanks, and Bleassings

  94. Jo  August 31, 2016 at 3:47 am Reply

    My name is Jo, and I lost my twin sister 14 years ago. Even though life moves on and so many thanks have changed, I have always struggled with the anniversary of her death. The date looms from about the month before and I usually end up in a flood of tears at some point. After 14 years, I realised I HAD to do something about it. Counselling didn’t work for me. I spoke to my local doctor who suggested trying Cognitive Behavioural Therapy. I wanted to try that but something that was specific to grief. I found a great book CBT when dealing with grief and it really helped me. Im not saying that it will help everyone, but I have always struggled around the anniversary of her death and our birthday which I celebrate without her now. The book helps you to deal with those really painful memories and strong thoughts that are associated with your loved one’s passing. Hope this helps.

    • Litsa  September 4, 2016 at 12:27 pm Reply

      Thanks so much for sharing your experience with CBT. It can definitely be very helpful when it comes to overwhelming and consuming thoughts that are making it hard to function or have a bond with your loved one.

    • Kira Mahoney  April 29, 2017 at 1:30 pm Reply

      Hi Jo,

      I lost my twin 7 years ago and I’m still having a really hard time with the loss. Can you give me the name is that book ?

      Sincerely,

      Kira

      • Jo  May 2, 2017 at 4:03 am

        Hi Kira, thanks for your message. So sorry to hear about your twin. The anniversary is always hard and now you’re 7 years in, you know it does get easier, but the pain is still there. Its 15 years this month for me, and I’ve been a lot better than I used to be. On the anniversary day (15th May), I will still fall into a black hole of grief again reliving the day she past away in my head. The book I used is stored away now in boxes as I am decorating at home, but I will dig it out for you and let you know the details.
        take care
        Jo.

      • Jo  May 4, 2017 at 4:05 am

        Kira,
        The book is called “Overcoming Grief – A self-help guide using Cognitive Behavioural Techniques” by Sue Morris.
        It might not be what you need – but give it a go. It did help me.
        Jo.

  95. Vicki Bee  August 30, 2016 at 1:29 pm Reply

    This is what I’ll be doing this year too. I’ve only been able to attend one Reading of the Names. It’s so painful listening to them read 2,996 names that I’ve only been able to do it once. I think it’s rude if I go and only listen to the name of my loved one and then leave. I can’t do that, I have to stay the whole 3 hours.

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zXnCVpWg3DQ

    I wish I could go to sleep on September 10 and wake up September 12. Barring that possibility, I listen to the names reading.

  96. Ebony  August 3, 2016 at 1:07 am Reply

    I am so sorry to hear of your mother’s passing… I love that you have turned your grief into something positive and generous, for others – and are helping them through their own grief… 🙂
    I lost my twin brother to suicide, 9 months ago. It is our 24th birthday coming up on the 31st of august. Although it is not the anniversary of his death – but our birth, I can’t possibly bear to imagine how to get through this day coming up. I am more or less, dreading this day. Every year we have always celebrated together, so I have no idea how I am supposed to celebrate this day – when all I feel is such a terrible, deep sadness and loss of his presence. I have never felt so much pain, lonliness and a loss for words at how to speak of this amazing human. If you have any ideas or tips of what to do on this day coming up – I will welcome them warmly. Reading this post helped me realise I am not alone… But I still feel completely lost at what to do, to prepare for this day.

  97. Karen  July 27, 2016 at 6:40 pm Reply

    Hello,

    Well, this is the hardest pain that I have ever felt. My mom pasted on June 29 of 2016- her services was July 8th, 90 days before my wedding. Words can not describe the pain. The motherless club was one that I knew that I would join some day but not this soon and not before my wedding. I had kept my mom clueless about the wedding because I wanted to surprise her and see her face when she saw the venue and decorations. She did have a chance to see my dress and she really liked it. She was so happy for me and I was secretly going to do something special at the wedding- now I can barely think straight. My fiancé is trying his best to be there and do the rest of the planning, We were suppose to send out our wedding invitations the day of my mother service. My sister was planning my bridal shower, all of this seems so pointless and trivial. The pain is beyond compare. I have a voice mail from my mom that I listen to. I must admit that I am angry at God for taking my mom. I always called her my ” my first love”. I feel like the world does not have the same color and that food taste different,. I still wake up thinking ” wow did that really happen”.

    Missing my first love

    • Agnes  July 27, 2016 at 8:07 pm Reply

      Karen I lost my Mother on May 31, 2015. I know what your going through, email me I would love to have a grief buddy. AKozlow77@gmail.com

  98. Saddy  July 22, 2016 at 9:58 am Reply

    I need help here i don’t know what to do last year I was pregnant at my 20 weeks of pregnancy my son was born so he’s birthday will be on July 30th but since he was to early he died right after one hour so I have no idea what to do I want to do something for him. He’s my baby angel please any ideas will help thank you

  99. Winnie  July 11, 2016 at 4:14 pm Reply

    Post your comment…my dad’s 1st anniversary will be this coming Sunday 17th July, I was trying to figure out what I could no but I couldn’t come up with anything thanks for this site…. Terrible year it was….

  100. Mona Villarrubia  May 26, 2016 at 5:59 pm Reply

    My son took his own life so his deathiversary is a day we just try to survive. On the other hand we celebrate his birthday every year with a gathering at his favorite pub with cousins uncles aunts and friends. We face-time his brother in new york as we toast him with guinness and bailey’s in a “car bomb” and we sing happy birthday. This was the 9th anniversary and it has become a joyful gathering where we start planning for our summer vacation as an extended family.

    • John  May 3, 2017 at 5:19 am Reply

      I’m so sorry for your loss, My Son also took his own life on May 3rd 2015. I would be lying if I said it gets easier.

  101. bill pickett  May 25, 2016 at 6:57 pm Reply

    the second word in this commentary should read-you’re, it is read “if (you are)

    • Litsa  May 25, 2016 at 7:12 pm Reply

      Thanks Bill, we’re typo queens 🙂

  102. Rachel Lopez  May 20, 2016 at 11:06 am Reply

    This July 13th will be the 1 yr anniversary that my husband passed I’ve been dreading this day but yet there’s nothing more than I love to do but remember him with the ones he loved and anyone that would like to be apart of it. I’ve been trying to think of ideas and I found on the internet sky lanterns I think that’s what I want to do. His birthday will be 2 weeks later so the month of July is hard for me and our kids. Since he passed his family has not spoke to me or my kids they find it better for them to place blame and not include me or my CHILDERN in there life I think it’s very sad cause my husband would be very upset that they have treated us HIS family very bad. I wish they would be part of what I’d like to do but in his honor I’m going to carry on and do something for him with my family and childern. I cremated him and have him here at home with us so having his favorite food for dinner and skylanyers is what I plan to do

  103. Lauren Olson  March 18, 2016 at 10:00 pm Reply

    As I sit her and read all the post’s from different people it make me feel like I’m getting better, I lost my “soulmate” and the love of my life on April 2nd 2015, I have a large family and they all try to help me get through this but, I have such a HEAVY heart as I approach the anniversary of his death. I continue to have him on my mind at least 20-30 times a day “no kidding” it seems everything I see reminds of something we did or shared or even wanted to do.etc.I have planted a beautiful little tree in his honor of his birthday, released balloons with the family 1 for each year of his life. My son built a bench to sit by the tree for fathers day, so we have done many of the things already but, as I sat and read through the suggestions of things to do to commemorate his memory I found something that is very fitting, he was always very neat and kept all his things in order his side of the closet was always perfect, me not so much. I really felt bad about that later, when he was gone and my part of the closet was still a mess! so that’s what I’m going to do!! I know I will feel his presence <3

  104. Amanda  March 16, 2016 at 9:24 am Reply

    Hello, we are trying to come up with idea for the 1 year mark on losing our daughter, Makinley Rain was 13years old, and fought hard for 21 months with leukemia. We want to do something big for her remembrance. Do y’all have any suggestions

  105. Nancy  March 8, 2016 at 7:57 pm Reply

    I lost my daughter on March 14th 2015, she fought cancer for 15 years. She was so strong and so positive and life without her is very difficult. She was only 47, and should have had many more years, but her suffering is over and she is with God. I struggle to keep positive for her children and do the best I can, although I know I will never measure up to her. I am trying to plan something to celebrate her life and appreciate all the suggestions I can get. Thank you for this site.

  106. Sharyl  March 3, 2016 at 11:42 pm Reply

    Sophia, I lost my mom a year ago today too. March 3rd, 2015. I can’t believe how difficult it’s been and sometimes I still don’t think it’s true. I shared the fact that this was the one year anniversary with some of my coworkers just to acknowledge it in some way. I’m going to have a glass of wine, light a candle, say a prayer, and cry little bit before I go to bed.

  107. Sophia  February 29, 2016 at 4:54 pm Reply

    My birthday is March 2, that is the day one year ago that the doctors lost my father but were able to revive him. I spent my entire birthday at the hospital completely lost. That was the day I was told his body was deteriorating and we needed to start saying our good byes. March 3, 2016 was the day my father earned his angel wings. The day my father watched me take my first breath, exactly 34 years later I watched him taking some of his last breaths of air. These two days I’ve been dreading for almost a year now. I will be honest, I just want to lock my self in my room have a tantrum all by myself. I think the world should stop just so I can grieve. Now I know that’s not possible, I have children so I have to get up take them to school and then go to work. I’m not sure how I ha going to handle these two days. Everyone wants me to celebrate my birthday, for the past year now I’ve made it very clear. I NO LONGER HAVE A BIRTHDAY. To me, there is nothing to celebrate. 🙁

    • tracy russell  February 29, 2016 at 5:45 pm Reply

      Sophia, your post struck a chord with me. I had my first birthday without my lovely Dad last May. I didn’t lose Dad on or around my birthday so I can only imagine how completely torn you feel. I had friends who tried to tell me I had to celebrate my birthday but, like you, there is nothing to celebrate. I was firm with my friends (to the point of being harsh) & told them the day was special because Dad made it special every year with little things he did for me & without him there is no birthday. You do whatever you feel. For me, I pretended it wasn’t my birthday, went home from work & cried my eyes out.
      Sending you love, you WILL get through those awful 2 days x

  108. Michael Cole  February 8, 2016 at 2:18 pm Reply

    Starting this year, each year on the anniversary of my wife’s passing, I will donate blood. When we first started dating, she had been impressed that I was a regular blood donor.

  109. Beth L  January 27, 2016 at 6:23 pm Reply

    February 8th is the anniversary of my father’s death. He was not an easy man to have as a father – exacting, smart, funny yet not one to easily share his feelings. I believe I was special to him and he sure was a special man to me. He was kind but quiet about it, he was giving but would never openly acknowledge it. At his wake, I heard literally a hundred stories about how my father helped in one way or another. He would make fun of my trusting and giving nature but after hearing these stories, I realize he was more trusting and giving than I have ever been.

    My father…measure twice, cut once. Be kind but never overly ingratiating. Give to others but do so because it’s only through the grace of God that we are not in the same position. Until the last six weeks of his life, he was not especially giving of his love in an open way except with animals. What is the saying…the true measure of a man is how he treats those less fortunate and animals.

    On our way to the grave site, a stranger stopped walking and saluted as we passed (the hearse had a Marine sticker in honor of my father’s service). I thank this man, this stranger, for celebrating and recognizing the greatness of my father. I don’t have to measure twice. He was and will forever be a hero in my eyes.

    My father would be laughing right now, saying I’m overly sentimental – that he was nothing special. He was special to me, my mother, my siblings, my animals and to so many others. I miss him every day but as I read other posts, I am also extremely grateful that we had in him in our lives for as long as we did – so many others have lost someone special way too soon. I feel blessed for having him as a father, a teacher and a guiding force in my life.

  110. Victorina  January 27, 2016 at 12:40 am Reply

    June 29, 2016 is my grandfathers 1-yr anniversary since his passing. It has been so hard for me. He passed away from a stage four stomach cancer… I miss him so much. But I would like to do something with my family to remember him by. Since it’ll be the 1st year, what do you suggest?

  111. Debbie L.  January 26, 2016 at 10:34 pm Reply

    Thank you for this posting of ideas. In May, will be one year since my husband’s, John, home going. I am wanting to do something for him, for me, his siblings for a remembrance. He didn’t like flowers, but had some wonderful hobbies to get some ideas from. Hunting, fishing, and amateur radio. In our headstone, already, are a couple of our older hand-held radios and a 1/2 wave antenna permanently mounted. I am going to take some old antlers he used for rattling, and a little fishing pole and find a way to secure them. As a hunter, he was very adamantly against trophy hunting and was more concerned about filling our freezer. Same thing with fishing. Luckily, where he is at is pretty isolated so very little chance of vandelism. He died two days after his birthday, so I want to have a get together for his birthday with his favorite foods and desserts. He didn’t like traditional birthday cakes and always requested banana pudding and pineapple upside down cake. I think I can do that. When we gather, it will be around a fire pit and it will be easier for his family to think on and remember all the good things they did together.

  112. John  January 10, 2016 at 6:12 am Reply

    My wife Jo suddenly and unexpectedly passed away13 weeks ago. She was 64 years old. In March we will be married 46 years. I’ve been going through a horrific time dealing with it. I’ve especially been extremely afraid and concerned that I’m not feeling her presence with me. This only adds to the painful loneliness I’ve been experiencing. Along with all this I am currently in the hospital with pneumonia and have been for a week now. The other day I was sitting in my hospital room thinking about my soul mate I recently lost. I was startled when I heard music coming from the hallway. I walked to the doorway and there was this lady playing a harp for the room across the hall. I’m thinking harp music, associated with Angels and Heaven maybe this is a sign from my wife. I listened my eyes tearing up until she was finished, it was beautiful. She saw me and approached me. I explained to her about my wife and how I thought my wife may have sent her to me. She asked if I would like her to play something for me and I said yes please. She randomly took a sheet of music from the many she had and began to play. Before she was finished I recognized the song and began to shake uncontrollably. I said to her I know that song, it’s called A Time For Us, the theme song from the1968 movie Romeo and Juliet. She said yes you’re right. Tears running down my face I said to her “that was my wife’s and my favorite song and movie. We were seniors in high school and associated ourselves with the movie. The movie came out October 8, 1968. We went on a date to see it that Friday which was October 11, 1968. My wife passed away on October 11, 2015. Coincidence, I don’t think so. She sent me a sign and connected our beginning together and the end of us in this world. Needless to say, I thanked the lady, went back in my hospital room and cried for an hour.

  113. S B  January 3, 2016 at 2:28 am Reply

    Monday 4 January will mark the one-year passing of my best friend, my mom. I have been incredibly teary since Christmas, with New Year’s Eve being the worst of it. My husband and I had planned a day trip to the beach (two hour drive each way) because that’s where I feel closest to her. However, all of the emotions of the past week have left me feeling exhausted and overwhelmed…now a day trip seems too much to manage. However, the thought of just staying home is causing my anxiety to ramp up. I want desperately to acknowledge her that day–and be away from here–but am at a loss as to how to do that. Also, her 75th birthday is three weeks later, on the 25th. I love all the ideas in this post, but can’t find any that “fit.” What do I do???

  114. sharon  December 31, 2015 at 1:10 pm Reply

    I have a FaceBook page that I started called “Random Acts of Remembrance”.. this isnt an ad or plug for my page-I don’t get anything for it. lol..I started it to remember my Mom by doing kid things for others in her memory. Each Mothers Day, birthday or other anniversary I try to do little acts of kindness or remembering. Sometimes I leave bubbles in the park for kids, on the 4th of July I took lighted balloons and glow sticks and left them in baskets for people to take and enjoy-in memory of fun times I had with my mom or my brother who also passed away. It was awesome to see lighted balloons all over the park at night. We’ve had a lot of loss this year, my nieces husband tragically died, I think when it warms up I will take some bait to a good fishing spot and leave it for a random fisherman because Mike so loved to fish. Anyway, I started the FB page hoping maybe others will find ways to celebrate or remember their lost loved one and share it if they so choose. It’s kind of like a FB page of love for those who have gone before us. <3…

    • Litsa  January 2, 2016 at 11:08 pm Reply

      What a great idea, Sharon. Thanks for sharing!

  115. Brande  December 28, 2015 at 1:49 pm Reply

    Tomorrow is the one year anniversary of my mothers passing from cancer. My sisters, grandma, and I were around her holding her hand when she took her last breath. My sisters and I plan on making waffles in the morning, it was a tradition mom did on the weekends. We also plan on having a twilight marathon because she loved to do that. We also plan on digging out a bunch of old photos and making photo albums together. We are all pretty young.. 21, 18, 15, and 13 years old. So this is the most we can all handle doing. She was the glue to our family. We are all still pretty lost.

    • Stephanie Slukich  November 29, 2022 at 8:42 pm Reply

      During this time of year it feels of constant dread. Last year in 2021 I experienced the loss of my first pet, my father, and a close boss. The loss of my first dog was in November and looking at pictures of him was easier and would bring some tears to my eyes, the loss of my father is approaching in December and planning on doing something only feels like false promises to myself since for his own birthday I could only find myself wanting to sulk in bed and cry when looking at photos. His loss was so impactful on me since the man he was growing up was not the same man who passed. I have grieved for the version of him who was gone for years. I consistently try to question what am I truly going to do when it’s his deathaversary. Do as I did the day he died and put up Christmas decorating and remind myself it’s another Christmas without him. We shared so many memories growing up the constant reminder of having my son grow up without his grandfather shatters me. The death of my boss will be more of checking in on others and listen to songs that we would sing to in the OR.

  116. DIXON JAMES  December 19, 2015 at 3:31 am Reply

    Life must go on even if one’s loved ones are passed on from this life to another. Christians believe in eternal life and others have other beliefs about life after death. So there is life after death which means the dead are never DEAD! They do exist in spirit. So why grieve? Stay focused on what your loved ones would expect you to achieve in life and go for it in that way you show gratitude to the deceased ( although absent in body). Reminding oneself of the past is NOT a good practice because we force ourselves into grieving again and again. There is an end for everything and we must learn to accept reality and move on with our lives.

    • Litsa  December 19, 2015 at 8:04 pm Reply

      Hi Dixon, I have to disagree. Grief is not about believing in an afterlife or not, it is about acknowledging the pain of wanting to be with someone who is no longer with us. You seem to assume grief is a bad thing, when I would suggest it is not- when we have loved someone deeply continuing to remember them, even when it is sad at moments, is not a problem. The past is an important part of the present and the future- we dont move on, we move forward with a continued memory of and connection to our loved one. We have a post about grief and belief in an afterlife that you may want to check out here: https://www.whatsyourgrief.com/grief-and-faith-grief-belief/

      You may also want to read this post on continuing bonds: https://www.whatsyourgrief.com/continuing-bonds-shifting-the-grief-paradigm/

  117. Tamara  November 25, 2015 at 1:12 pm Reply

    My 13-year old daughter passed away unexpectedly just three weeks ago. I found your website as I was looking for some meaningful way to recognize the monthly anniversaries (a year seems way to far away right now; just getting through each day is still a huge challenge). I like the idea of candle lighting and think that I will start this monthly tradition with my husband and our two boys. Thank you so much for sharing your ideas.

  118. Sue  November 3, 2015 at 10:08 pm Reply

    Tuesday is the ninth anniversary of the loss of my husband. Each year my 3adult children and their families get together and celebrate “dead day.” Each year we do something to remember and honor their father/my husband and I’m out of ideas. That’s how I found this website. There is comfort in hearing other people’s stories and knowing that others can truly relate to what one is going through.
    These are some of the things we have done to celebrate his life. Had his favorite quote mounted on a paper weight for each of my kids; each child selected a piece of his jewelry; planted a tree in his honor; created stepping stones for our garden; made at t-shirt quilt; dedicated brick pavers with his name at a sports addition at his high school; that’s about it. Need some more hands on ideas. Thank you for this site. There is very little out there for helping someone to heal

  119. Adele lammie  October 26, 2015 at 10:19 am Reply

    Hi was looking for someone to help
    Sadly last year I lost my young brother who I spent very much of my time with him we were really close but me being a mum myself I dnt understand why my mum has kept my brothers death or even what happnend or where is body is laid to rest a secret from me and my dad so when it comes to paying our respect to my brother ware totally lost for what we can do if anyone could good we

  120. Sue  October 2, 2015 at 11:37 pm Reply

    Eleanor, I was googling when I came across your blog. Tomorrow will be the 1st anniversary if my husbands death. Then in two weeks the 2nd anniversary of my son’s death to suicide. And next week would have been the 28th wedding anniversary for my husband and me. So October pretty much stinks. I have planned for months to spend the day along, watching our wedding video, listening to our CD’ s etc. My friends wanted me to spend the day with them. Our kids are all grown and live in other states. No family here. Am I wrong for wanting to be alone. Is it “dis-honouring” him?I need to grieve and I’m not a “public” person.

    • Litsa  October 2, 2015 at 11:56 pm Reply

      Sue, it is definitely NOT wrong to want to be alone. You need to do what feels right for you. If you communicate that with your friends hopefully they will understand. If they are very focused on ‘helping’ you by doing something with you, you may be able to refocus the effort by making plans to get together on a different day.

      Your comment made me think of a post I wrote a while back that you might appreciate. https://www.whatsyourgrief.com/fathers-day-sulking-without-apology/

    • Eleanor  October 5, 2015 at 2:32 pm Reply

      Sue,

      I do not think it is ‘dishonoring’ him at all to spend the day as planned. You decided to spend the day in the way that you did because it allowed you to be close to his memory and to spend time in reflection. You know your own limitations and what would you find most meaningful and fulfilling. I absolutely think you should stick to your plan and whatever you find comfort in, you can catch up with your friends the next day.

      Eleanor

  121. Trudy  September 21, 2015 at 7:56 pm Reply

    I have been reading all of the posts and my heart goes out to everyone. The ones who have lost children, my heart aches for you. I lost both of my parents this past December in 2014, 19 days apart. My mom had Alzheimers and my dad passed 19 days later of a broken heart. Every one has started talking about the holidays will be here before long and I find myself tearing up. My mom was buried the day before my birthday and my dad the day before Christmas Eve. Last Christmas I was just numb. I am really hoping I can pull myself together this year and remember the Christmas’ past just spending time with them. I want to smile and laugh!

    • tracy russell  September 22, 2015 at 2:24 am Reply

      Trudy, my heart breaks for you. I lost my Dad last September very suddenly which is bad enough but to lose both parents & in such a short space of time is truly devastating. I am so, so sorry for your loss. The thing that stuck out for me in your post is that you want to laugh & smile. The fact that you want to is a massive achievement! Maybe around Christmas time you could do something your parents would love? Maybe a family ritual you did every year? This is your journey so you need to do what is right for you. My heart goes out to you x

  122. Dionne  September 14, 2015 at 4:57 pm Reply

    Tuesday 9/22/15 will mark the 2nd anniversary of my 22 year old son’s death as a passenger in a car accident. He often went camping with his uncle. He was always the first to ask to start a fire in the fireplace, as soon as the season called for it. OK, let’s just call it what it is. Kendall was a pyro. And honestly, he got it from me. ;0) We will be gathering in my brother’s forest-like back yard and making a Kamp fire for Kendall. We all feel that if we gather in his name and light a fire…he’ll be there. I miss him so. He was the daughter I never had, “my buddy”.

  123. Mary Archibald  September 14, 2015 at 4:49 pm Reply

    My Daughter Danielle ,22, passed away suddenly,unnecessarily,and to my dis-belief and horror…I burst through her bedroom door,and found her on her bed,but it was too late,this was on 8-3-15…I screamed call 911 to my Mom and tried C.P.R…til the Medics arrived,I’m SO bereaved and still in a state of shock and tormenting horror of if I might have knocked on her door sooner that day,this very well have could of been prevented,I’m racked with grief and some guilt about why didn’t i knock on her door this day,as I would randomly,here and there because we were on different schedules and though we lived together,we wouldn’t see each other that much because of our differing ways we slept and did our usual things…nothing seemed out of sorts that day,I found out through the coroner,she had Oxycontin in her system that mixed wrong with her regular medications she took,and it threw her into a “fall out” state,if you will….it is very difficult to even be typing this,as I haven’t yet fully digested all this horror,It wasnt an overdose of the Oxycontin,either,it all mixed terribly wrong and overcame my girl….I don’t have a clue how I would do most of the list of things,because I’m so bereft,it hurts so badly right now,mostly I cry for her….At 30 day mark,I took my Mother (who lives here,too) and we went to our 1st Grief Group,called The Compassionate Friends…they are a Nation Wide group and if anyone reads this would like to go to a meeting in their area,you may look them up on your computer,for one in your area….I just don’t know to go about these things that will be coming up,I feel like she didn’t get to live,so why should I celebrate? It’s too early,much too early for me….others who are able,that is wonderful,but for me,It will be so hard to try most of your suggestions,it’s been such a short amount of time,I can light a candle,i know at least that….I’m pretty lost right now being without her,and it was SO sudden…She Loved Her Life,as many of our loved one’s did,it’s all too sad for me at this point,but your suggestions are very honorable…Something may come,someday? I do hope,I do……I haven’t much Family,we were pretty much everything to each other,I do have my Son inPA….maybe when her Birthday comes around :'( …we can do something,I live in South Carolina…..I’m just baffled as one of the people who also posted said they were going 100 m.p.h….seems so am I ….thank-You for the tips though.

  124. Susan  September 14, 2015 at 4:10 pm Reply

    October 26, 2013 was the day my world forever changed, when my mom left this world and left me all alone (not really, but it feels like it sometimes). I think we get ourselves worked up for the day coming up and it’s not nearly as bad as we expect. I, with you, will also always relate the fall with her passing and will never enjoy it like I used to. It’s a hard life without her! ?

  125. fran  September 14, 2015 at 2:56 pm Reply

    sadly my daughter died at 27 on the fourth of july 2010. we cant hardly forget when she passed at 6A:09 pm that night. so we buy some of those oriental lanterns and release them into the sky when we are done with out fireworks as a way to remember her.

  126. Mydra & Joaquin  August 24, 2015 at 12:53 pm Reply

    My boyfriend, Rey passed away on October 29, 2014. He was my best friend, my first boyfriend, my first kiss, and he is also the father of our son Joaquin. I don’t know really what Im looking for. I just want our son to always remember his father and the love he had for him. He was 21 months old when his dad passed and even though Joaquin may not fully comprehend the idea of Rey being gone forever it motivates me to ensure he understands his father loved him. He still points at the moon and tell her good night like his Dada used to tell him to do. Thank you ladies for your support, I was too depressed before to care enough to find a way to cope. But with his 1 year anniversary(I hate that word!) coming up I want to remember Rey and I want Joaquin to remember too! God Bless

  127. Tiffany  August 23, 2015 at 7:47 pm Reply

    What can you do for a birthday memorial for a 2 year old who passed away at 5 1/2 month’s old.

  128. Tracy Russell  August 19, 2015 at 8:48 am Reply

    Hi,
    I am coming up for the first anniversary of losing my lovely Dad on 8th September (a date that is ingrained into my brain). I still remember every minute detail from that day when I got the call to say he was gone. It was so sudden. I had spoken to Dad that morning and he was fine. Anyway, I’m finding that I’m having strange feelings lately. Apart from still not believing Dad has gone and feeling like the wind is knocked out me; I am quite snappy, acting completely irrationally and the dreams about my Dad are so vivid – more vivid than before. The few times I have dreamt about Dad he has always been just out of my reach but lately, it’s like he is right there and I can see him so clearly – into his eyes and even the few wrinkles that he had, down to his salt and pepper hair. I like to think this is my Dad telling me that he knows I’m struggling and he’s here. Mum and I are dreading “the day” as it creeps closer. We’ll be together on the 8th September but we have no plans on how to get through it. I like the suggestions mentioned in the blog and any others would be welcome.
    Thanks
    Tracy

  129. Chelsea  July 31, 2015 at 2:10 am Reply

    As of August 19th 2015, my best friend, Matthew, will have been gone for 12 years. He would be 19 years old. On August 19th, I go to the park by my house and watch a little league baseball game, Matt loved, and I mean LOVED baseball. That kid probably had more baseball cards and new more about his favorite teams (the Chicago Cubs and Milwaukee Brewers) than some long time collectors I know. I haven’t been to his grave in the 12 years since he was buried there, but I want to, and one of these years I’ll do it. I’ll bring votive candles and incense sticks, and I’ll show him the signed baseball I got from my 7th grade field trip to a Brewers vs. Cubs game. If he were still alive I’d have just given it to him long ago. I also tend to read the poems that I love and that would be on my “I miss Matthew” playlist if only they were set to music. Then, I revamp my efforts, my promises to him and myself,

    1. He will not be forgotten
    2. I will try to live the way he would have wanted me to
    3. I will remember the joy more than the pain
    4. I will support the awareness of, and research for the conditions which led to his death at every opportunity, whether that means charity marches, signing petitions, participating wholeheartedly in awareness weeks, writing/speaking about them and the importance of coming up with more effective and affordable treatment options.
    5. In short, I will do all I can, in any and all small ways I can, to help create a world in which a child in the same situation will not only be expected to live beyond 7 yrs, but to adulthood and beyond. So that, what we (Matt’s family and friends) went through in 2003 never has to happen again.

  130. Jason  July 29, 2015 at 9:51 pm Reply

    My mother passed away on June 16th 2015 from cancer. Today is the 30th of July her birthday 🙁 I am 26yrs of age and the youngest in the family. We will be gathering today as a family to have a cake for our mother in her honour. She would have been 56yrs old, I cry everyday and this is the first time I am talking to someone about this. My boss at work gave me this website to help me through work. I am amazed on the posts and replies. I love you mum always and forever!

    • Tracy Russell  July 30, 2015 at 4:35 am Reply

      Hi Jason,
      I read your post this morning with tears in my eyes. I am so sorry for your loss. I like what you did for your Mum’s birthday. You will be amazed at the strength you will find to keep going and I promise you will find the strength. I have found a lot of comfort in this site since I lost my lovely Dad last year. I don’t need to tell you that you will miss your Mum forever but you will find yourself smiling when you think of her instead of crying. It’s still so early and raw for you. Give yourself time and grieve at your own pace. Keep talking about your Mum to your loved ones. She is still with you and always will be. Thinking of you.
      Tracy

  131. Adam  July 2, 2015 at 3:28 pm Reply

    Brandy
    Posted on March 8, 2015 at 11:59 am
    “Today is my only son, Jr, 2nd birthday (out of 4 kids) if he hadn’t been still born at full term…”

    Brandy, I am so sorry for what you are going through and I pray that the things you are doing are helping you cope. I am writing to you because your post hit me very hard and also slightly concerned me. While I don’t know your specific loss, I do know loss. A lot of it.
    The first and most important thing to understand is that guys aren’t ‘wired’ the same way women are. Please hear me out… My wife and I have been through this on many different occasions. I know how horrible this sounds, but your husband may not need to grieve openly. He may not want to grieve at all. I strongly suggest you don’t try to push him. Guys must prioritize their feelings. If they do not, it can become very dangerous. While women are generally powerful floods of emotion capable of experiencing and managing a wide range of feelings all at once, many men compartmentalize everything. We must keep our best feelings on the forefront so that they will be the emotions that directly affect everything we do. If we dwell on sorrow, our lives will be driven by sorrow. Because of this, many of us tend to take these terrible things and lock them away. They are not buried, building and waiting to explode, they are simply placed on a shelf where we don’t need to think about them. This does not mean that we don’t care! Sometimes, when we are all alone, we may pull out the little box, open it up, and let a few tears fall. Then we close it, put the lock back on, and put it back on its shelf.
    I am begging you not to try to push your husband to open up. If he does it on his own, then he is ready for it and will be able to control it… But, I fear, if you succeed in convincing him to grieve in such an outward manner, you may start him on a downward spiral of anger, hate, fear and other intense emotions that guys are not designed to handle in such magnitude. This could cause severe problems for your family. PLEASE, just let him be dad. Do what you need to do for you and your daughters, but don’t push him. He will deal with it in the way that is best for him.

    Very Sincerely,
    Adam

    • Litsa  July 4, 2015 at 9:03 am Reply

      Adam, thanks for taking the time to comment! You and Brandy get at such a difficult topic when grieving, which is how we grieve together. People have so many different grief styles and it can be a huge strain on a relationship when people are not meeting each other’s grief expectations. It isn’t ideal for either person in a relationship not to communicate what they need from another person and, at the same time, it is not ideal for one person to push or impose their grief style on the other person. These can be difficult waters to negotiate, especially when everyone is struggling moe than usual because of their grief. This post discusses gender and different grief styles and may be useful.

    • Grandma  March 26, 2016 at 1:57 pm Reply

      Adam… Thank you for the very insightful post you wrote. Two years ago April 1st, 2014 my daughter, her husband, myself and her grandfather experienced the same type of loss. I was there with my daughter and son in law when my dear grandson was born. He lived for 1 hour and 2 minutes and then he was taken from us. As far as the advice you gave I believe you were spot on because I have experienced the same type of reaction… But with my daughter. She doesn’t want to discuss it, if you mention it she gets angry or will cut me off and say ” Don’t talk about it”. It’s hard for me to rationalize that she has put it in a box and has closed it where as I have still very raw emotions about it and still cry and knowing that date is coming up is bringing it to the surface. Everyone does grieve in a different way and there are support groups out there that can help you deal with all the emotions that come from a loss. A loss of any type is hard, but a loss of a child is gut wrenching… It is not the natural order of how things are meant to be. Because my daughter is dealing with it in a different way than I am I am in a support group so I can be with other people that are grieving the same way i am. You have to take care of yourself and your feelings and that’s all you can do. Grief and loss is so, so difficult but I have learned as well you can’t push someone to grieve or deal with a loss the same way you do… We all do it in our own way in our own time. It’s difficult when you are not on the same page but you just have to learn to accept it. I would strongly suggest a support group or some type of professional help or if you are involved in a church to talk to a priest/pastor.. Whatever. I hope the situation gets easier with time. I will be thinking of your little angel next Friday as I think of our family’s little angel as well!

  132. Tracy Russell  May 19, 2015 at 11:07 am Reply

    Hi,
    I have only just found this blog via Pinterest (thank you Pinterest!) and I have to say it’s brilliant. I only lost my beloved Dad in September 2014 and it was so sudden I didn’t even get a call to say he was unwell, it was a call to say he was gone so you can imagine the pain my Mum and I have gone through every day since 8th September. I’ve had counselling which has helped but I still have those “manic days” where I go at 100 mph because I’m afraid to stop. Anyway, I’m babbling again! I just wanted to say how comforting this blog is and I have found myself doing some of the things your have suggested for my Dad’s birthday, which was in Feb (he would’ve been 70). It’s comforting to know I’m not going as mad as I thought.
    Thank you again,
    Tracy

    • Litsa  May 19, 2015 at 10:37 pm Reply

      Thank you so much for taking the time to comment! I am so sorry for your loss, but glad you have found some help on our site. Knowing our site is of some help to others is what keeps us writing!

  133. Jo  May 13, 2015 at 11:13 am Reply

    Thanks Eleanor. I think you are right in what you say with regard to reconciling or making peace with what happened. Im not entirely sure how to do that and Im interested in researching ways of managing the painful memories and how I can try and have some control over them. It is difficult avoid to bad dreams, as we have no control over those – but the daytime flashbacks is something that maybe I can try and work on. Anyway, its something to think about. You are right – its nearly Summer, although in London UK we can’t always guarantee it haha.. Jo 🙂

  134. Jo  May 12, 2015 at 5:10 am Reply

    Thank you for putting this blog together… My twin sister has been gone 13 years this week. She died just before our 32nd birthday of cancer. Life has changed so much since she left us.. but I still say good night to her photo every evening. The emotions around her anniversary always creep up on me, no matter how much I try to prepare myself for it every year. It comes over me like a huge wave of emotion, which includes nightmares when I sleep and flashbacks during the day of her final weeks of this brutal disease. I guess my question is, why does my brain only allow me to remember the horror.. not the fun, the laughter? Nicola had a wonderful life until her breast cancer came.. we were close and would laugh all the time. Yet when I sleep.. and when the anniversary approaches.. these bad images seem to takeover… I wish I could stop them. It is comforting to know I’m not alone after reading your blog.. Time is a great healer I really believe that….. and I say that to all the people who have recently lost someone.. but the anniversaries are always tough.

    Jo.

    • Eleanor  May 13, 2015 at 10:16 am Reply

      Jo,

      You’re right, time is a great healer but as you’ve said here, there are still things that hurt even 13 years later. Litsa and I were just discussing the other night how the twin bond is one so close neither of us can truly understand it – I’m sure you feel pain for this loss that others can’t fully comprehend. I’m sorry you still live with the awful memories at times. Maybe there’s something about these events you need to reconcile or make peace with, and maybe it’s that they are just awful memories that will be difficult to ever forget. Thank you for offering your perspective and I hope this time of year hasn’t been too rough on you. At least summer is around the corner 🙂

      Eleanor

  135. Christina  April 27, 2015 at 9:31 am Reply

    Hi I lost my daughter Emily May 1of last year to cancer…she was only 15 months old. My heart aches for her everyday. Most of her short life was spent in and out of hospitals for weekly periods at a time. Most of the time just her and I and I find it a struggle to cope with life without her now. I went from her constantly by my side to nothingness. The anniversary of her death is coming up very soon and I don’t know what to do….it feels as if it were just yesterday that we sat in the hospital holding her telling her how much we love her as she took her last breaths. I remember it clear as day and it just rips me apart.

    • Eleanor  April 27, 2015 at 1:21 pm Reply

      Oh Christina,

      I can hear in your words how painful your grief is on a daily basis. I’m sure it does feel like she was here just yesterday, as I’m sure this last year has been a blur. I encourage you to go extremely easy on yourself as the year mark of her death approaches. What do you need to do to get through the day? How can you take care of yourself? Is there a small way you want to spend time in quiet reflection with her memory or honor her? If it’s all you can do to get out of bed, that’s okay – I’m sure you honor her every day and will continue to do so forever. To the extent that you can, surround yourself with whatever you find comforting.

      We’ll keep your family in our thoughts,

      Eleanor

  136. Toni  April 25, 2015 at 3:42 pm Reply

    First of all I want to extend my condolences to Eleanor & Litsa and everyone whose taken the time to share their story of grief. I wanted to respond to Claire’s comment above but couldn’t get that to work. Today is the 10th anniversary of when I lost my Mom & I agree that time doesn’t heal everything, rather it just shows you that you can get through it & carry on, even if the wounds are still there. My Mom’s passing was sudden & unexpected and I barely remember the first year after. All I know is that each anniversary I make a shepherd’s pie which was the meal we cooked together that night, look at pictures & video of her, and then I write in a journal, which allows me to cry and “talk” with her. Like you said Eleanor, the biggest fear is that somehow you will forget them so I think it’s important to not only honor them but reassure yourself that they are still a part of you. I used to carry a huge burden of guilt – I should have known something was wrong, I could have done more for her when she was here, etc but I realize she wouldn’t want me to feel this way. Sometimes I’ve written Mother’s Day cards & just seal them and keep them in a box. When I get lost in missing her I remember to feel fortunate for the time I did have & to have shared such a special relationship with her, otherwise it wouldn’t still hurt so much. I think loss can not be defined by a title (ie Mother, Father, brother, friend, etc) but rather is based on the relationship you had with that person, which could even be your next door neighbor. I appreciate your ideas above. After the first couple years I didn’t gather anyone together as I didn’t want to make them feel like they had to be sad, since they may not feel the same level of loss that I do. I usually get a few messages from friends/family letting me know they’re thinking of me and my Mom & missing her which makes me feel better that I know she’s not forgotten. She was a single mother and did the best job she could raising my brother & I and if I can demonstrate the same strength she had, I know she’d be proud of me. Thank you for hosting a site that shows we are not alone.

  137. Ryan  April 16, 2015 at 12:54 pm Reply

    Sunday, April 19, 2015 will be 8 years that my mother passed away. I was 12 years old at the time. At the time it was very hard for me to process and make sense of her loss. Up until recently (I am 20 years old now) I am just discovering the impact that had on my emotional well-being. However, with the help of friends and family I have always felt loved and never alone. Going through that experience, I became angry and doubted most religions because of that anger. I’m not a Christian (although there is nothing wrong with being one) but I ended up find solace in Buddhism, which teaches that everything is temporary and everything that happens on this earth is an opportunity for growth, which is what I’ve chosen to view this as. I’ve also realized that our loved ones who have passed would not want us to dwell on the pain of their passing, but to remember the love they shared and make our lives the best we can. I was looking for a way to remember my mother and came across this list and I plan on doing a few of these things on Sunday. I plan on planting a tree or flower (haven’t decided yet as I live in an apartment) and spending Sunday with her side of my family going through home videos and childhood pictures. I wanted to thank the author of this list, it has given me new ways to honor my mothers life and the life she has given me.

    • Litsa  April 16, 2015 at 3:40 pm Reply

      Ryan, I can TOTALLY relate. I was 18 when I lost my dad and I found huge comfort in Buddhism. I was a philosophy major in college and I was not interested on counseling or support groups, but Buddhist philosophy helped me so much. I actually wrote about that here on the blog a while ago- you might appreciate it: https://www.whatsyourgrief.com/grief-and-buddhism-comfort-in-impermanence/

  138. Debbie  April 9, 2015 at 12:06 am Reply

    Hi, April 24, 2015 will be 13 years since my son Dean passed away. Every year on his Death anniversary we buy balloons and write a note to him. We go in our back yard and let them go to Heaven after each one of us says something to him outloud. We also pray. We watch the balloons till they are out of our sight. In the beginning I could barely get the words out without sobbing but now I am able to do it ( still makes me feel like I have a knife in my heart) but I get my words out to my son. On his first birthday after he had passed ( he would have been 22) I had a birthday party for him with food and a cake and all of his closest friends at our house. I had pictures out of him and we all ate, drank and shared stores of Dean. It seemed to be a comfort for his friends and our family as well. I also try to buy a plant on his death anniversary and plant it in our yard every year. All of this brings me comfort and some peace.

  139. Marcella  March 21, 2015 at 2:53 am Reply

    I am really struggling! My son died two days after Mother’s day last year. He was 25 and not a day goes by that my heart doesn’t squeeze tight at the very memory of him. We were very tight and had spent the whole day together. It was a wonderful memory. He was so healthy and happy and truly loved life. Everyone who knew him, loved him so much! He was the only one that died in the car wreck. No one else even got hurt. It is just so unfair. I have 2 daughters and I know that they are in pain as well, we talk about him and all of his funny ways. I am DREADING the 1 year anniversary of that day so bad! Everyone has so many ideas and suggestions for it, but nothing feels right. I want to honor him and let him know that I am alright at the same time. But it is a lie. There are days that are unbearable still. If he were here, he would know just what I should do and say to be ok, and I keep trying to think like him and find his strength…….but I can’t. I go to work and do what I am supposed to do…. But NOTHING is the same. How am I going to get thru that day? I do want to celebrate his life, but his death is still so raw!

    • Eleanor  March 23, 2015 at 9:00 am Reply

      Marcella,

      It sounds like you are really conflicted between your feelings of pain and your desire to honor your son’s life in a way that is worthy of his memory. I think the first thing you should do is acknowledge that the day might be really hard and you might feel really awful. You don’t have to put a brave face on or be better off than you are right now. Your grief is a reflection of your love for your son and in a way you are honoring him by grieving him. Over time it will get easier to find the perfect way to honor his memory and to do things that feel more constructive.

      For this year, what is realistic? Are you the type of person who prefers to be alone on tough days or surrounded by others? What makes sense for you? Maybe this year you honor him by spending the day privately or with your kids doing something small. You could visit a place where you feel close to him or make his favorite dish for dinner, go through old photos, or just watch movies together. Perhaps you have a small group (your daughters?) over and everyone brings a letter written to him about why this year has been hard and what you miss about him and you read them out loud. I guess the main thing I’m trying to emphasize is that you don’t have to do anything big and you don’t have to have it all together for it to be right. This year is going to be the hardest one to get through, so go easy on yourself.

      Eleanor

  140. Naina  March 18, 2015 at 11:15 pm Reply

    Hello everyone…
    It was nice to read everyone’s comments and the ideas given. My uncle died last year on March 27th 2014 and as his death anniversary approaches it brings back the saddest memories :'( he was just a dad to me and I wanted to do so much for him but I couldn’t because he left me. And I wasn’t by his side when he died it kills me till now why I was not there. These ideas make me feel I shoulddo something good to make him happy.
    Thanks for this. God bless u all with your losses.

  141. C Smith  March 15, 2015 at 9:54 pm Reply

    Lovely article. We are quickly approaching the 1 year anniversary of my husbands death. I have known all along that I did not want to be home when this date arrived, so several months ago I sat down with our kids and asked them what they wanted to do. We decided on a destination and so we will spend the week of their Dads passing in a place that we had always planned to go as a family. We will be joined on this adventure (we always called our yearly excursions to our favorite mountain town adventures) by a couple who is closer to us than our families. They have been by our side during every major event our entire married life (wedding, births, hospital stays and death) so I invited them to share in this one too. In the back of my mind I am considering making this a yearly experience, every year during this specific week we spend time as a family, having a new adventure. To me that seems like a nice tribute to the man I love and a good way to deal with him not being here to join us. There are many other things I would like to do to honor his memory but those will come with time.

  142. Maddy  March 11, 2015 at 2:30 am Reply

    Thank you so much, this really helped me! I had no idea about what I could/should do to commemorate my moms death. Today is the first year anniversary of my moms death. I am now 16 and birthdays, holidays, etc. are really tough to deal with. My dad and sister don’t like talking about her death, but it feels wrong to ignore that she was ever here. I mourned on my own, using a lot of your suggestions. I am really scared that I will forget my memories of my time with my mom, any suggestions? Also, do you think it would be okay to split up her ashes when we spread them? We want to spread some at her favorite beach and some at a river in our old home town, but we aren’t sure if this is disrepectful or something.

  143. Brandy  March 8, 2015 at 11:59 am Reply

    Today is my only son, Jr, 2nd birthday (out of 4 kids) if he hadnt been still born at full term. My 2 older kids have had a hard time dealing with their grief and my husband has been worse. His grief or lack of has had a horrible effect upon the rest of us. My daughters and I like to talk about Jr every once in a while when something reminds us of him. But when we have tried to talk in front of my huaband he gets upset/angry and creates a very bad atmosphere for all. So we have learned to respect hes not ready to openly talk about him. Many times this makes me as a mom very worried about my daughters and how not making their brother apart of our life daily if necessary that they will never fully release and grieve properly. I know from experience when you don’t fully grieve you become depressed, sad, feel lonely, and even anger may build. I do not want this for our kids. My mom made a specific point to help us last year while my daughters and i were visiting by giving us balloons to write on and release and celebrating his birthday with a small cake. The girls seemed so free at that time to talk and ask questions. I wish we could do this or something like it every year, but with my husband. I know its too late for advice for today, but if anyone has any suggestions for us thru out the year instead of only one day out the year that would be much aappreciated!

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  144. Janey  February 24, 2015 at 4:54 pm Reply

    My beloved friend lorna died 7th march last year. She was diagnosed with cancer three weeks previously but had decided not to tell anyone except her parents and husband as she had been told she had 9 months to live. When her husband called me with the news she had passed I was in shock. I was so angrey with cancer, I still am. How dare cancer take my friend of 35 years. We grew up, went through school, holidays together, weddings births of our kids etc etc. I miss her so much. She was cremated and her ashes have not been scattered yet and I live 3 hours from her husband and so I need suggestions what to do on the anniversary. Thanks in advance

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  145. Pam  February 18, 2015 at 11:59 am Reply

    Hi Eleanor – I just found your wonderful site. I am a trauma therapist and as you can imagine I work with folks everyday who have experienced many kinds of grief. I only joined your site a couple of days ago and already have found so much useful. I really appreciated how to get through holidays. The rock star tutorial on Father’s Day sulking will be especially helpful information. Anyway, thanks for hosting such a remarkable site. I am sure to suggest the site to many.

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    • Eleanor  February 19, 2015 at 10:28 am Reply

      Pam,

      Thank you so much for your support! I’m glad you’ve found the site helpful.

      Eleanor

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  146. Theresa  February 15, 2015 at 2:19 pm Reply

    Go to your child’s class room and share with his classmates, memories they have cherished of him . This one I made up but to me it sounds extra special. Have the teacher do up pictures by the children to give to you about what they loved about your precious child as keepsakes for you.

    • Litsa  February 16, 2015 at 2:43 am Reply

      Ah that is a lovely idea, and could help a teacher or school counselor support children who are struggling with the loss.

  147. Jonathan  February 15, 2015 at 12:40 pm Reply

    My 78 year old grandfather or ”papa” like what me and my family called him died on this month on the 27th. He was also born on this month. He was born on the same street where he died. New Orleans, AMA, LA CrookedR Lane. I miss him so much he loved to see me on trips from Savannah where I live.

    • Litsa  February 16, 2015 at 2:47 am Reply

      Jonathan, I am so sorry for your loss, but glad you found our little corner of the internet 🙂 I am sure his birthday and the anniversary of his death coming up in the same month is tough- I hope you find what works for you to honor him. Take care!!

  148. Kelly  February 8, 2015 at 8:08 pm Reply

    Thank you for this list and everyone for your suggestions. The end of this month will be the 1 year mark of losing my best friend (one of the most important and influential people in my life), and I’m still searching for ideas. For her birthday I (with help) did a random act of kindness for each year of her life and invited others to join in. It turned out to be a wonderful day of celebration. For this anniversary I know I want/need to do something low-key and full of honor, remembrance, and permission to myself to keep healing and moving forward. I just don’t know what yet. I don’t live near friends or family who knew her, so I feel a little like I’m on my own… Which is ok–just need to figure out how I want that day to look. I won’t lie. It kind of exhausts me to think about it.

    • Rhonda  February 9, 2015 at 8:48 am Reply

      I suggest praying and not to worry after you pray. Something will come to you when God is ready. It will be a great day if you give it to God.

  149. Beth  February 3, 2015 at 5:02 pm Reply

    My Dad died 22 years ago and I’d like to start some remembrance rituals with my sons (three and one) on the anniversary and your list has really helped me. Thank you. Beth

    • Litsa  February 3, 2015 at 11:04 pm Reply

      So glad you found this list helpful. Please let us know what you decide to do! Also, I am not sure if you saw this post, but we have a post specifically on ideas for children who didn’t know or who can’t remember the person who died. You can find it here.

  150. Claire  February 3, 2015 at 12:04 am Reply

    Being Motherless:

    I’ve journeyed all of my first’s (the first year of Xmas & New Year, Mother’s Day, special events, anniversaries, birthdays, etc. following a death). The support of family and close friends has been phenomenal. Despite it all, as I approach the first anniversary, I am feeling lost as to how I will remember, honor, and celebrate 365 days without my Mother.
    So here I am. I don’t feel like I have crossed a finish line or won any kind of trophy, and I certainly don’t feel like I have achieved any sort of closure. I definitely don’t feel as though time has healed anything, because all that I feel time has done.
    I still carry my grief with me. It is a part of me now. My grief is made of irreparable loss, of pain, of memories flashing lights of Red Cross ambulance (I still got the same effect on me).
    If I learned anything, it is that no one can be prepared for a major death, and time can’t fix everything. All time does is allow you to find a way to accommodate grief, like a sudden and permanent limp that doesn’t stop you completely but will forever alter the way you move through the world.
    Now I know why you always asked me to be strong… because you know that one day I would need the strength to bear your loss. I miss you mom.

    • Eleanor  February 3, 2015 at 4:16 pm Reply

      Claire,

      I’m not sure anyone could have put it any better. Especially your closing thought “Now I know why you always asked me to be strong…because you know that one day I would need the strength to bear your loss”. Closure, time, getting over grief; these are all myths only very few people realize it until they’ve actually experienced the realities for themselves. I’m so sorry for your pain and your grief. My heart goes out to you.

      Eleanor

      • Rhonda  February 3, 2015 at 6:46 pm

        I am also motherless. No grandchildren. My mother will have no grandchildren either. It takes a lot of faith in God and daily efforts to become closer to God to seek peace and grace to continue each day. I have a book “Jesus Calling” by Sarah Young. I get up and read it first thing and thank God for what I do have. He has a plan. I know how you feel being motherless. Love, Rhonda

    • Eleanor  February 3, 2015 at 4:17 pm Reply

      Also Claire, have you tried journaling about what you’ve been going through? You have a way with words and I can attest from my own experience that writing can be immensely healing. Just a thought.

  151. Claire  February 3, 2015 at 12:01 am Reply

    March 17 will be my mom first death anniversary…Her hospitalization and death has been one of the most painful times in my life. It’s hard not to tear up when I think of Mom. Words cannot express how much she means to me. She taught me so much by witnessing unconditional love, and her beautiful example of enduring strength in suffering. Her faith in God was unshakeable, and her sense of hope undiminishing.

  152. Bailey  January 29, 2015 at 7:21 pm Reply

    It’s been 7 months since my brother passed away. My 3 year old daughter and his 3 year old son. Love to look at his pictures and argue about who he is my daughter says that’s my uncle and my nephew says that my daddy lol. My husband and I are in the processing of buying a bigger home so we can start having my niece and nephew over to stay. I would love a way of honoring my brother in my home do you have any ideas? He was a big hunter and a sherriffs officer. Thank you

    • Eleanor  February 3, 2015 at 4:30 pm Reply

      Bailey,

      I’m sure we could come up with something. An important question first though, do you want to do something that would include the children or is this just something you would like to do/have in general?

      Eleanor

  153. Nida  January 21, 2015 at 1:26 pm Reply

    Next week, January 29, 2015 will be one year since I lost my father to cancer. He left this world just a couple months away from my high school graduation. Him being there would be my greatest accomplishment ever. He saw me in spirit but I wish he was there in human. My mother has been strong too, being on dialysis three times a week and still raising myself and my 6 year old nephew. Me and my older brother do our best to provide for our mother on whatever she needs and wants. I take her out on road trips, buy her favorite foods and talk about all the memories we had with my dad. Some tears will be shed yes, but if I just keep praying and asking God for guidence and wisdom, I know for a fact he is smiling down on us.

    R.I.P. Mr. Clean We Love You Always (September 27, 1939)-(January 29, 2014)

  154. Melissa  January 6, 2015 at 6:28 am Reply

    I lost my only child, my 15 and a half year old daughter Kaitlin on 5/20/08, it will be 7 years in the spring. Shortly after Kaitlin died I bought a helium tank an balloons at Wal-Mart, her best friend and I would fill them up and than write letters to her in heaven, sending them up to her. On what would have been her 16th birthday I bought a couple of the big mylar balloons took a sharpie pen and filled them front and back and let them go, letters to heaven, to my girl who I had so many things I still wanted to say to her, so I did, and still do. Every birthday and on the day she went home to God I send my precious angel letters to heaven and I figure she floats around up there reading them knowing that she still is and always be the best part of my life, always and forever my Kaitlin Lee.

    • Eleanor  January 6, 2015 at 12:17 pm Reply

      Thank you for sharing this Melissa. That’s a beautiful way to honor and remember your daughter.

  155. Laura  December 25, 2014 at 4:22 pm Reply

    I just stumbled on this blog, and it really could not have come at a better time. I love the balloon release idea and I may just invite some close friends over to reminisce about my angel. I bought a gold urn necklace (memorialurnjewelry.com) a few months ago, and knowing that I hold her close to my heart is very comforting. Thanks for the support and the shared experiences.

  156. Sarah  December 8, 2014 at 1:06 pm Reply

    Its almost a year since I lost my Mom and I am still heavily greiving. You dont just lose a person. You lose everything you had together and everything you were suppose to have. The hardest part is that my daughter, who adored her Grandma, was only two years and a few months old. And I am also dealing with the reasons why she was sick in the first place. My Mother deserves to be memorialized in a great meaningful way. Which is how I ended up on this site. Im thinking a candle vigil would be really nice along with some words about her. Her story should be told. Anyway, thankyou for putting the effort and time in trying to help others cope.

  157. Jonathan  December 2, 2014 at 11:19 am Reply

    I really love a lot of the suggestions. Today is the one anniversary since my mom passed on December 2, 2013. I’m definitely going to use some of these ideas. Seeing this post and responses makes feel less alone. I was my mom’s only child, so seeing this makes me feel like there are other people that understand what I’m going through.

  158. Skylar  December 1, 2014 at 6:50 pm Reply

    Tomorrow is my moms birthday.
    I have to go to work all day and be strong, when all I feel like I need to do is go back to my hometown and “talk with her” in my head.
    My husband is working all day. My father isn’t flying home until 1030.
    I am fearing being alone. Hoping that writing it down on an online forum can make it all go away.

    You are all wonderful and blessed people. <3

  159. libby  November 17, 2014 at 4:20 am Reply

    At these times I picture myself with a bottle of pills, lilo & falling into sleep by her grave.

    • Eleanor  November 17, 2014 at 9:52 am Reply

      Hey Libby,

      I don’t know you or the circumstances of your loss, but I understand your pain is deep. First of all I must ask you if you are having thoughts of giving up, or if you feel like there is no reason to live, to please seek immediate help. If you have a counselor or therapist call them right away, call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-TALK, or you can even walk into your local ER.

      Honestly, I understand your statement because I have heard many grievers say after their loved one died that they just didn’t care about anything anymore. When your in such deep pain it is difficult to see a reason to live; but I promise you this deep deep pain will pass and the same grievers who have said they once felt such desperate despair also say that after making it through the darkness things did become easier.

      I know these times, the anniversaries and the holidays, are the times when it seems like things couldn’t possibly get any worse. But we really need you to get through these days because, as I think many grievers who’ve felt similar to you might even attest, someday you will feel okay. It will never be the same and you will always grieve, but year by year these anniversaries become easier to handle and hopefully in time those memories that are so extremely painful right now might bring you some comfort and help you to continue your relationship with Lilo.

      Please Libby, again don’t give up and if you feel like you might harm yourself, talk to someone. We are always here to do what we can to help locate resources in your local community. Please reach out to us if you need assistance.

      Sincerely,
      Eleanor

  160. nora cerna  November 14, 2014 at 12:10 am Reply

    2013-Was the happiest time and the saddest time if my life on, May 16 I got married to my wonderful husband Miguel and on December 6 my my wonderful mommy Shirley died I am grateful I have the wonderful Lord in my life and my mom did its coming upon her 1st year aanniversary of going to be with the Lord I will do some of these things and I want to say everytime we do something our loved one taught us they are there everytime we hear their voices or see their pictures they are there with us may God bless us all with better tomorrows God bless nora cerna♡♡♡♥♥♥♥

  161. Maria  November 11, 2014 at 1:41 pm Reply

    Set the table for your loved one and let them have dinner with you 🙂

  162. Jake  November 9, 2014 at 10:49 pm Reply

    These suggestions really helped out on the anniversary do my grandfathers passing; he passed on October 28, 2013. On the one year anniversary I did what we always used to do, go to dunkin donuts where I felt like he was right there with me. After my best friend and I went to a hockey game(where we saved a spot for him). This site is so helpful I just wanted to say thank you

  163. Jack  November 1, 2014 at 7:34 pm Reply

    Wow Eleanor thank you for this blog. I stumbled on to it while being undecided about visiting my friends grave on his birthday or anniversary. He pasted away to suicide this past summer which it still hasnt unbelievable to me. And even tho we weren’t as close as I wished we could be it was so hard watching his family and friends break down one by one and seeing his little brother just holding it all in trying to be strong. I dont think any one knew what was going on and I miss him like a dear brother. I plan on using some of ur ideas like the candle and flowers. Thank you again

  164. Nina  October 21, 2014 at 10:59 pm Reply

    Tomorrow is my husband’s birthday. We are having a birthday party for him at his favorite ice cream parlor. On the anniversary of his death, my grandchildren come over to my house. We do a candlelight ceremony and then release balloons with notes to him. Their other grandmother passed away a year later within 4 days of my husband’s passing so I always get them balloons to send to her also.

  165. Eileen  October 21, 2014 at 12:04 am Reply

    When the Anniv. Of my husbands first date came. Instead of staying stuck I had a stone bench built outside the Boys and GIRLS Club. One my husband attended as a boy. I also had a party and raised money for the next three years for a local fund given to patients undergoing, radiation and chemo treatments in their battle against this cancer. This past year ,Oct 14,2014, hurt so much more. Maybe it is just becoming more real, and permanent ? A bigger party scheduled for same fund for year 5!

  166. Pam Proctor  October 20, 2014 at 8:02 pm Reply

    https://joschremp.blogspot.com/search?updated-min=2014-01-01T00:00:00-08:00&updated-max=2015-01-01T00:00:00-08:00&max-results=1 We started a blog as soon after the death of my mom as we could. My daughter actually started it. It is a great read if I do say so myself! We have not added much to it at all, I feel that there are things that could be added now though. We are coming up on the one year anniversary. Loved your ideas, we had done a lot of them already, but there are a lot of great thing there. Thanx for the blog posting!!!

  167. Kathy Hayes  October 20, 2014 at 5:29 pm Reply

    Just last week was the first anniversary of the loss of one of my longest dearest friends, and next February will be the first anniversary of my daughters accident and death. For my friend, I spent the day remembering him. For my daughter, I’ll do the same and some of your suggestions here. Thank you for these, I like to plan ahead, I will be getting my first tattoo (and probably only) that day. My daughter loved Halloween and in this year of ‘firsts’ I find myself dreading certain days that were special for her. I’m finding that diving in with an open heart is my path for grieving, and will be going to a party in a great costume, to honor her love of the day. I appreciate some of the other ideas that readers have posted as well. Thank you!

    • Eleanor  November 7, 2014 at 2:05 pm Reply

      Hey Kathy,

      Sorry I’m just now responding to this. What will your tattoo be???

      Eleanor

  168. Karen  September 29, 2014 at 9:36 pm Reply

    I lost both my parent’s two month’s apart. September 13th my mom November 14th my dad. I dealt with my grief this way everytime i would start to feel the pain, I’d go buy flower’s- angel’s things I new they liked. An i’d place them on there grave. I put a small white pickett fence. An I even hung a birdfeeder my mom loved to watch the bird’s. It helped tremendously for me. An as time goes by I can stand back and say What a beautiful resting place. A big cross stands on my dad side there grave is marked with solar light’s. So whenever i come home at night as I drive by I always say goodnight.

  169. Andi  September 29, 2014 at 6:07 pm Reply

    Thank you so much for this blog/site. The list of ideas are fantastic, I will certainly be picking some to help me through, I am finding myself in floods of grief at the thought of getting through tomorrow 30th September, its 10 years since loosing mum. This anniversary seems more difficult. I feel guilty at all the achievements and things we have done and she has not been here with us to see for herself. 10 years have flown by I cant believe we are at this landmark so soon. God bless you dearest mum love you always xxx

  170. Karen  September 16, 2014 at 1:54 am Reply

    Thank you very much for this list. The first anniversary of my mother’s passing is coming up and I’m not sure what to do – but I feel I need to do something. My dad and I are still struggling with her loss so it’s going to be a really tough day. It’s hard to believe a year has gone by as it feels like just the other day we were by her bed in hospital. Thanks very much for your help x

    • Eleanor  September 16, 2014 at 12:33 pm Reply

      Karen, I’m sorry about your mother’s death. As painful as that first year is, I know even at the end of it you feel like it was just yesterday she was here. If you aren’t feeling up for anything big, sometimes the smallest things can feel nice. Let us know how it goes.

  171. Krystal  September 14, 2014 at 12:26 pm Reply

    Hi Eleanor,

    The one year anniversary of my mom’s death is coming up in 2 days, and I’m dreading it. It’s been looming since September began. My mom was 59, and she died from cancer. My mom was a 19-year cancer survivor but eventually her body could not fight anymore, even though her mind was fighting cancer until the very end. Thank you for your suggestions as to what to do on this day. I’m not sure yet what I will do but I think it will involve a lot of crying and alone time. I will visit her gravesite for sure. The real reason why I decided to leave a response, is because my mom’s name is Evelyn too and I saw Renee’s response and felt the same way as her – that it is not a common name and it seemed strange at first to see her name written in big letters on your blog. It is a beautiful name. I think it’s beautiful that you named your daughter after her. When I have children, I want my first-born girl to be named after her as well. Thank you for your help and support through your blog.

    Krystal

    • Eleanor  September 16, 2014 at 1:18 pm Reply

      Krystal,

      I am thinking of you and your family today. I am sorry about your mother’s death. I hate cancer. As twisted as it may sound, I do feel a sort of kinship to girls grieving for mothers named Evelyn. That sounded really weird, but it’s true. Take care of yourself today.

      Eleanor

  172. Rhonda  September 13, 2014 at 12:34 pm Reply

    Mon would be my son’s birthday had he not gone to be with God last Oct.2013. First one. I beg for all the prayers I can get. He died in his sleep of a heart condition we knew nothing about. I am thankful for the times I had with him, but for some reason, I am having a hard time today. Grief has become me today as I sit in my pj’s and hope the day ends so Mon can come and go. Thanks for listening.

  173. Stitchy_Doll  September 5, 2014 at 9:56 pm Reply

    Thanks for the interesting read. A year ago today my Uncle Pete passed away, he had aggressive brain cancer. He was a man of good manners, fantastic music taste, and most of all a great sense of humor. He left behind three young daughters, and my Aunt. We all to this day question why, such a beautiful loving person deserved this. It’s been a hard journey for all involved. But I believe he is still lingering spiritually. May he rest in peace.

    • Eleanor  September 5, 2014 at 10:53 pm Reply

      I’m sorry about the death of your uncle. He sounds like he was a fun guy to be around and it definitely sounds like he’s still with you and the rest of his family in memory and spirit.

  174. Marilyn  August 18, 2014 at 9:56 pm Reply

    I’m glad I found this site. My dear nephew Jason was killed Aug. 28, 2013 at around 5:30 am , shot several times in the back, one bullet went up the back of his vest hit his aorta, he died just after returning fire as he went down, saving the lives of his team. His mother and father ( my brother) are broken. I feel their pain….your ideas will help them and me, I live in another state…I will place a thin blue line flag on my house and store in town, in his memory and honor. God Bless all the loved ones who suffer the loss of a loved one.

  175. Stephanie  August 9, 2014 at 11:13 am Reply

    I stumbled upon your page while looking for ideas of how to celebrate the anniversary of my dad’s passing. This Monday will be one year since he left his body after a long and painful fight to stay alive. I dread that Monday may become a sad day for me where I’ll just want to hide away from everything. I realized last night that wouldn’t be fair to my kids and it’s certainly not how my dad would want me to spend the day. Trying to find ways to remember him with thoughts of happiness without letting the pain of missing him over come me.

  176. Nikki  August 7, 2014 at 1:41 am Reply

    Tomorrow will be one year since my sister has passed away. I keep hearing “it gets easier” but when? I still have so many unanswered questions about her death I feel like I can’t move on. My family wants to celebrate tomorrow and not be depressed because my sister wouldn’t have wanted that, but how do you celebrate at a time like this? I just want to curl up in a ball and hide under my blankets and cry!

  177. Karen  July 26, 2014 at 11:51 pm Reply

    I lost both my parents last year, they died 5 weeks, to the day, apart. Today is one year since my mother passed away from colon cancer and I still can’t believe she’s gone. I hope that next year I’ll be able to do something more meaningful but this year I had dinner with friends. I don’t feel strong enough to do things that remind me of my parents. I was in a deep depression for 9 months and just recently starting to feel normal again. To make this anniversary worse, I was supposed to cook dinner with my boyfriend of 6 years but he decided he would rather have beers with a friend. He didn’t even bother to tell me…..I waited for him for an hour and 45 minutes before he finally called. When I cried on the phone he said I “love drama” and I was ” making a big deal out of nothing”. Thank God for my friends, they stepped in when I needed them. My advice to anyone would be to surround yourself with those who love and support you. That’s what I plan on doing going forward.

  178. Heidi  July 2, 2014 at 5:40 pm Reply

    My husband Chas died 1 year ago today of bone cancer at home. It was 3:40 pm when he finally was lifted from a very hard death….I am trying to shake it off today. I find myself reliving every part of it. I read all the above comments with great gratitude for sharing. It is helping as I write this.

    • Litsa  July 5, 2014 at 11:48 am Reply

      Oh Heidi, I am so sorry the anniversary was such a difficult day. I think people often underestimate that losing someone, especially after an illness, is a trauma. With that can come the common experience of reliving the loss and the pain of the illness. We have a lot of resources and ideas on this site for journaling, art and creative expression, etc than may help in processing some of these tough memories and emotions. If you find these do not get easier with time you may want to consider seeing a therapist who specializes in grief and trauma. Glad you found some comfort in the words here- hope you will continue to visit our site!

  179. Bell  June 18, 2014 at 3:36 am Reply

    Hello,today is the first year mark of when my boyfriends twin brother passed away. He took his own life, he had mental health problems and we have to believe it was the only way he could find peace. This entry has given me some lovely ideas to help them through. His parents are not good at talking about stuff and our not coping well. I just hope I can be strong for them, I don’t think it hits you how hard the day is going to be until it’s here xx

  180. Denise  June 6, 2014 at 3:14 am Reply

    Thank you very much for your article. Today is the one year anniversary of my wonderful mothers passing. I was with her until her very last breath holding her hand. For today I felt I wanted to do something but couldn’t think of what. I found your article as I looked for the connection with others about this confusion of not knowing quite how to handle such a painful “anniversary”. Her birthday is this month too. Your article was comforting.

    I have taken the day off work, lit some candles, bought a bouquet of flowers, put on her favorite music and eaten an ice cream for breakfast! (she loved ice cream). I had been doing a little better (i.e. a couple of good days a week) but during these days leading up to the one year a lot of the feelings of disbelief came back and reliving the anxiety of the days preceding her passing. I know there is no way around the pain of a day like today and I wanted to share with others who are also going through this incredibly painful first year.

    Thank you for having this blog site.

  181. Autumn  May 15, 2014 at 12:08 pm Reply

    Hello. I came across this post while looking to coping devices to help myself with the death- anniversary of my mom. It’s hard to believe its already been a year without her. Mother’s day was sunday and i think some of these helped me too. my mom died a year ago tomorrow. I was 14. I’ve dealt with major depression and suicidal thoughts since then.(i am currently on medication & going to therapy) I just wanted to thank you for writing this. It really helped me. one of hardest things i think about grief is realization. Sometimes there will be days when I come home from school.. And i open the door to my house (even though shes never been at the new house) for some reason i think shes gonna be there. but then it all comes rushing back to me. Like maybe i get great news and ill be SO excited that ill say i cant wait to tell my mom. but my moms not here. These ideas really seem to help. The thing im going to do is write out all my feelings or whatever i want onto paper and then rip it up and put it into a ballon and let it go. thats also a good idea.

  182. Shannon  May 12, 2014 at 1:10 pm Reply

    I stumbled across this blog as I try to figure out how to cope with the 1 year anniversary of my father’s sudden death. The anniversary of the last time I saw him, his death, and Father’s Day are all within a two week period. I feel like I have been plugging along and doing alright despite my grief during this past year, but feelings I didn’t realize were there are coming to the surface as I approach this heartbreaking anniversary. I’m just not sure how to get through each day without dissolving in tears multiple times, and my anxiety is sky high.

  183. Bonnie  May 1, 2014 at 9:22 am Reply

    Thank you very much for this post and to all those who commented as well. I have learned many good ideas for dealing with the 10 year anniversary of my father’s death, today May 1. Kate, like your father, mine enjoyed being outdoors as well. So I think that will be one of the things I will do, as well as watch an old, black and white, favorite movie of his, and cook his famous (and really yummy!) casserole. I miss you, Dad!!

  184. Eleanor  April 30, 2014 at 9:08 pm Reply

    Kate,

    You’re right, crying is good and remembering fondly and experiencing joy is good. I hope you have a peaceful day and good weather for your hike.

    Eleanor

  185. Kate  April 30, 2014 at 3:34 pm Reply

    Hi everyone,

    Hearing your stories is so inspiring to me. My father passed away four years ago tomorrow night. Even though it’s been four years, it’s still very hard. I find myself slacking in school work, not wanting to work and hardly wanting to socialize.

    But I can say with each year, it gets better. I slack a little less, talk more and do things to remember him. Usually every year on May 1st &/or 2nd I go on a hike, to a mountain or hilltop because he loved the outdoors. His ashes were spread in a river between two mountains in Montana.

    I’ve also gotten tattoos in remembrance of him, on the anniversary. This year, I will be going to the mountain or hilltop and just spend some time with him there.

    Thank you all for your comments, remember to do something that brings joy to your anniversary day, even if some tears fall it’s okay.

    1 Love-

  186. Litsa  April 22, 2014 at 12:27 am Reply

    I am so sorry to hear about the loss of your son. I have to say, I have always liked benches. Personally I think there is something so comforting about having a place to sit and feel close to those we’ve lost, and a bench is perfect for that. You can have a plaque engraved and put on the bench, so you could still incorporate words to him. Please let us know what you decide to do.

  187. Eleanor  April 13, 2014 at 12:10 pm Reply

    Valinda,

    These are all great ideas. I am always a huge fan of a bench, maybe with a special quote or lyric engraved on it. Maybe some other readers have thoughts.

    Eleanor

  188. Valinda  April 13, 2014 at 1:10 am Reply

    I lost my beautiful son last May 5th to suicide. He was 22, a good kind soul, had earned his Eagle Scout, was about to finish heating and havc school and was hoping to get married soon. I would not still be living if I didn’t have a daughter and husband…who are terribly sad as well.

    I’ve only been to his grave once…it’s 50 miles away, but I wanted him to be buried in the family cemetery with his grandparents who loved him so much.

    We still have not decided on what we want to do for his grave. He has a small marker, but I want it removed. Still dirt covers his precious place of burial.

    I want to do something special…out of the ordinary for hom and am struggling with ideas…..some include a bench, a guitar , a turtle a race car , an eagle….and most importantly something from me, his mom, embracing hotheads headstone with loving words. Can any of you help me refine..polish up these ideas? They all have special meanings.

  189. Jackie  April 12, 2014 at 8:01 am Reply

    Hi Eleanor….thank you so much for this article. Today is 24 years since my beloved younger brother’s suicide and I am really struggling. I wonder why I have done better in prior years? Not sure, but I am in alot of pain this morning. I am grateful for your words, though.

  190. Eleanor  April 9, 2014 at 9:04 am Reply

    Ahhh my sister-in-law is from Penfield. If your worried about their reactions I think an e-mail might be the way to go. This way they have the time and space to think about it and get back you. Hopefully they will be receptive. Let us know what you end up doing.

  191. Gwen  April 8, 2014 at 8:41 pm Reply

    Dear Eleanor,

    Thank you so much for your advice and words of encouragement, I can’t tell you how much I appreciate it. I like the idea of maybe putting it down in an email or text, since I am sort of a chicken about what my brothers’ reactions might be. I wholeheartedly agree the most important thing is us being together.

    I grew up in Penfield, NY. Born and raised in Rochester, NY until I graduated from high school.

    Thanks again for your guidance,

    Gwen

  192. Eleanor  April 8, 2014 at 8:54 am Reply

    Gwen,

    I can relate to being too far from your mothers grave, my mother is buried outside of Syracuse NY and the best I can do is visit her on the rare occasion I visit my sister who still lives there. BTW – where did you grow up in New York? I think the things you have thought of all sound good (Booooo to the Condo association though). I actually think your casino idea sounds great, but understand your reservation about your brothers. If they think this is too celebratory then I think the tree is probably the way to go.

    Honestly though the only way to make a plan that works for everyone is to open up the lines of communications,perhaps starting an e-mail chain with everyone included (or even a closed Facebook Group or good old fashioned phone call). Suggest a few ideas but emphasize that your flexible and the most important thing is finding a way for everyone to be together. If your brothers want to stay low key then another idea would be to plan a dinner, maybe with everyone bringing/making one of her favorite dishes or a dish that reminds you of her (even if it’s take out!). You can have people bring photos or memories of her or just set these out on your own.

    I have five brothers and sisters so I know how tough it can sometimes be to get on the same page, especially when everyone grieves differently. Let me tell you, I tried to do something the year after my mother died and no one was really with me. They were grieving differently and weren’t open to being open. I was so frustrated at the time but I understand now that I can’t expect others to feel the same way I do. That’s why I think the important thing is emphasizing that you just want to be together, no matter how big or small. I’m guessing just knowing the family was together would put a smile on your mother’s face.

    Let us know how it goes.
    Eleanor

  193. Eleanor  April 7, 2014 at 10:14 pm Reply

    Melissa,

    I’ll be thinking of you tomorrow. Please don’t worry about focusing on yourself right now. It’s okay, normal, and expected. The important thing is for you to find peace and find ways to incorporate your mother’s memory into your every day life. This is one day of many where you want to honor her and remember her in a positive way, but it is hard and it is emotional and it takes time. You will get there.

    Eleanor

  194. Gwen  April 5, 2014 at 10:25 am Reply

    I lost my mom as of a year ago on April 24th. She was/is mine and my brothers’ hero. Raising us from young children, on her own when my father passed away. She was the heart of our family and we all feel so broken from the loss. I struggle with how to honor her on the anniversary of her passing. I want to include my brothers (if they choose to join me for the day), I am looking into having a tree planted in a local park. I think that’s more for me. I inquired about planting a tree at her condo complex that she loved, but that was declined but the condo association. My mom enjoyed playing the slot machines, I thought about offering my brothers each a small amount of money so that we all might go gamble at a casino a few hours away on that day. I also thought about an Irish pub in the area because she always loved the Irish music, culture, etc. I worry that they may frown on these ideas because they may consider them to much like a celebration or fun. I know it’s important to honor and celebrate her life and that she would want that for us, but I don’t know how to do it or approach my family with it. I feel like what is most important is that we are together as a family on this day. What makes it a little more difficult is that we did a memorial service at my mom’s church locally but then in the summer we all traveled to our childhood home in upstate NY and did a second service where we buried her ashes with my father. These were her wishes and I was priviledged to honor them. I just feel now like we don’t have as much of a connection being that it isn’t feasible to travel to NY for her anniversary to visit the grave site and we didn’t retain any of her cremains in any of our homes. I am open to any suggestions. As the day gets closer, my heart grows heavier and heavier, a large part of me just wants to curl up and cry all day on that day, but as I am the eldest, I feel I have to find a way that will memorialize my mom in a more positive way and stay strong for my brothers. I already appreciate just having the chance to put this all down into words and welcome any suggestions or advice. Thank you. Gwen

  195. melissa  April 4, 2014 at 11:13 pm Reply

    Thank you Eleanor for the advise. I think of her grave site as the last place that I “left her.” She is not there!!!! I don’t know yet, how I am going to deal with this. The next few days are a reminder of how she spent the last few days of her life. I (and my mama) am a God loving and trusting person in him, but my moms death is the worst thing that has ever happened to me. ME, ME , ME…. I feel as if I am making this about me!!!! It is about memorializing my Mama!!!…. I don’t know how to do this!!!

  196. Eleanor  April 4, 2014 at 9:35 pm Reply

    Melissa,

    If you don’t feel like doing anything ‘celebratory’, that’s okay. You don’t have to make a big production out of the day, I would actually say most don’t. Don’t feel selfish, you have the right to grieve in any way you want. It is very normal to dread this day, the passage of time can sometimes make us feel even more sad because it puts more distance between us and the physical presence of our loved one. I would say go easy on yourself, take your time, but start to try and find some method of coping with these more difficult feelings. Understanding you don’t want to make a big production on the day, perhaps a good way to honor your mother and positive step towards dealing with your grief would be to try and visit your mothers grave site. You could go on your own or together with your father and others who loved your mother, prepare yourself to feel emotional and accept that this is okay. This is just a thought, if you want to keep brainstorming ideas let me know what direction you were hoping to go in on the day.

    Eleanor

  197. Nita Gregory  April 4, 2014 at 1:09 am Reply

    I am so sorry to hear about the loss of your son, I lost my daughter Rachelle on March 23rd 2013 just shy of her 32nd birthday, I just celebrated the first anniversary of her passing, it was hard but I did things that reminded me of her, I donated to the local Humane Society in her name as she loved animals, I did a jigsaw puzzle that she enjoyed doing, I bought a helium balloon wrote her a poem and sent it to her. Her birthday is on April 8th and we will be celebrating at her favorite restaurant and sharing memories of her life. I understand the pain you are feeling the loss of a child is so painful. My thoughts and prayers are with you.

  198. melissa  April 3, 2014 at 11:24 pm Reply

    My heart grieves for your loss!! I can’t say I know what you are going through, because I have not lost a child. But I just want to tell you that I too will be grieving on April 8… It is the 1 year anniversary of my so, so, beloved Mama! I will be thinking of you and be keeping you in my prayers. The Lord is with you!

  199. melissa  April 3, 2014 at 11:12 pm Reply

    I feel lost! The one year anniversary of my Mama’s going to be with the Lord is on April 8. I don’t know what to do on this day. I am grateful and Thankful to have had her as my mom and in this life, but I don’t know if I am in the celebrating mood to honor her wonderful life. I feel selfish! I am fortunate and thankful to still have my father, who adored and Loved my mama (his wife of over 50 years). But I still am having a hard time facing her death, I haven’t been able to even go to her grave site. I am not crazy… or in denial… I just don’t know how to handle these feelings of lose, and I am having a hard time with the fact that it is going on 1 year. To me, it feels like forever. Please give me advise. Thank you!

  200. Litsa  April 2, 2014 at 9:39 pm Reply

    Hey Ariana,

    I am so sorry to hear about the death of your great grandma! It depends what kind of thing you want to do. Since you mentioned your outfit, there are limitations of a uniform, but if you want to show off your pink you could consider pink headbands, nail polish, and socks, if that is allowed.

    This will sound crazy, but I have found a lot of comfort in baking in memory of people I have loved and lost. Baking my grandmothers cookies, baking my dad’s favorite cake, etc. If there is some food that reminds you of your grandmother you could make it (or, heck, buy it!).

    There is a ton of great memorial jewelry that might be another great way to honor your grandmother. If you go on etsy.com you can find a ton of great options and probably have time to have custom options made before April 30th.

    You also could do something in her memory. You could volunteer somewhere that your grandmother cared about. If you wanted to do something at school, you could do something in her memory to raise awareness about breast cancer. You could hand out breast cancer candy with information about breast cancer so people know about it. Someone I was very close to died of an overdose. I wanted to do something for overdose awareness day, and also really struggled with what to do. I wrote a post about it, which you can check out here in case there is any inspiration! https://whatsyourgrief.com/putting-good-world-overdose-awareness-day-memorial/

    Hope something here was at least a little helpful! If I come up with any other ideas I’ll let you know!

  201. ariana  April 2, 2014 at 7:50 pm Reply

    The 1 year anniversary of my great grandma Nana’s death is coming up and I need help! She died from her 3rd time with breast cancer and I want to do something! I attend a uniform school, so I can’t show up on April 30th in a pink outfit! Please help me! Ps-she is not buried yet, she is cremated but her husband was in the navy before he died when I was a baby and she needs to be buried on top of him.

  202. Eleanor  April 2, 2014 at 12:37 pm Reply

    Karen,

    I’m so sorry about the death of your son. I imagine you still have so many tough days and the anniversary can be one of the most real and raw no matter how many years have past. You have been through 2 of these anniversaries already, what have you done in the past? What did work and what didn’t? Have you ever tried any specific remembrances on this day? Are you feeling up to something like this this year or are you just trying to make it through? I know nothing can take away the pain of this day, but perhaps we can pinpoint what will bring you the most meaning and comfort.

    Eleanor

  203. karen  March 31, 2014 at 7:25 pm Reply

    The third anniversary of losing my 15 year old son to suicide is coming up, April 8th and I am having a really hard time having to face this day! I don’t know what to do……… My grief over what happened still haunts me terribly. Any advise on how to cope with this dreadful day Ann or others. Lost mom

  204. Eleanor  March 31, 2014 at 3:50 pm Reply

    Angela,

    Thank your counselor for connecting us! I’m sorry about your parents deaths, I can’t image dealing with two sudden losses one right after another. I hope some of the information we have is helpful here and if there is anything specific you ever want us to address, just let us know.

    Eleanor

  205. Angela  March 31, 2014 at 2:29 pm Reply

    Thank you so much for this! My counselor just told me about this site. April 23 will be 10 years for my Dad, August was 12 for my Mom and i still have problems with their loss everyday!!! My Mom was truly my best friend and we lost her suddenly and i was Daddy’s little girl and he died in a freak accident at work.

  206. Katherine Lawrence  March 25, 2014 at 12:21 pm Reply

    Thank you so much for this. I lost my brother little over a year ago and this helped.

    • Theresa  January 12, 2017 at 8:49 pm Reply

      My sister our father pass on her husdand birthday.
      The problem I’m having is my sister husband has pass also
      What to do

  207. Renee  March 24, 2014 at 7:42 pm Reply

    It’s so not a common name at ALL + this was the 1st time I ever googled 1st year anniversary of mothers death in my life…in such a grief stricken moment + all of a sudden her name is flashing before my eyes on the 1st link I clicked? I wailed crying in such a cathartic way that I felt it was a sure sign of comfort from her. But it didn’t end there. The next morning I checked my Twitter + only one new follow had followed me for that entire day. The name that was flashing before my eyes again was EVY in the companies logo. I was blown away? That’s what everyone called my mother. If there really are ADC’s (after death communications) through electronics as they say; it felt like much more than a coincidence on both fronts. Thanks again.

  208. Eleanor  March 24, 2014 at 5:41 pm Reply

    Wow Renee, that does seem like more than a coincidence! Especially because it’s not the most common name. Evelyn was my mother’s name and it is also my eldest daughters, who I was pregnant with when my mom died. I’m sorry about your mother’s death, the one year anniversary is tough.

    Anyway, thanks for your comment…that gives me chills as well.

    Eleanor

  209. Renee  March 24, 2014 at 5:35 pm Reply

    Hello, who was Evelyn? You’re mother? My mom’s one year anniversary is on April 1st, and this past Saturday I was so grief-stricken with missing her that I Googled 1 year anniversary of mothers death + your article was the first one that came up I believe, so I clicked on it. I was astonished to see the name EVELYN in big bold letters half way down the article.

    My mothers name was Evelyn, and I was blown away by the mere coincidence of seeing her name flash before me in print that I truly believe it was some sort of sign. Thanks

  210. AC Broughton  March 24, 2014 at 11:08 am Reply

    Thank you so much.

  211. Eleanor  March 22, 2014 at 2:45 pm Reply

    Our thoughts are with you tomorrow (Sunday). I’m sorry about your mother’s illness and subsequent passing. I am sure you have missed her quite a lot over this last year. It sounds like you have a pretty good plan for the anniversary and I hope the day is one of peace. We’re here for you for as long as you need us; we know, anniversaries, birthday’s, etc are always a big deal.

  212. AC Broughton  March 21, 2014 at 4:10 pm Reply

    Thank you for this post and for the community. Sunday is my mom’s birthday (she would have been 70) and April 12 is the one-year anniversary of her death from ALS. This time last year I spent 5 weeks at her home caring for her until she died. We filled the house with daffodils for her birthday because that was her favorite flower, so I have some on the table. On April 12 I plan to have a nice meal of her favorite foods, use her favorite table cloth, look at photos of her and tell stories about her. Someone gave me a Yarhzeit candle so I will light that and say a prayer. I know that these anniversaries are a big deal even though I feel like most people want me to be “over it.” This community really helps to validate that it is a big deal. I appreciate it very much.

  213. Patti  March 11, 2014 at 7:41 pm Reply

    Thanks for this post. On St Patrick’s day it will be the one year anniversary of my mother’s death. She was sick for a long time and lived with my family. She died at our home surrounded by her family. I only have 2 brothers left. The eldest died the year before from cancer. The rest of us don’t see each other much-didn’t before. With the 1 year anniversary coming up I’m fighting feelings of grief, loneliness, defeat, no sense of purpose and overwhelming sadness. My hubby wants to take the day off and spend it with me, but I have no idea what I want to do if anything! Thank you for the ideas and none I choose are wrong!

  214. Alayne  March 10, 2014 at 6:31 pm Reply

    Thank you! I’ve dealt with my own grief in my own ways, be it good or bad. I guess helpful or not, would be the right way to put it.

    I came searching today because an old friend is going to hit the 1 year mark of his wife’s passing tomorrow. I want to try to help him. She was diagnosed with brain cancer shortly after their first and only child was born. He worked full time, took care of her, the house the child…you name it, for about 20 years. That baby just got accepted in to medical school last week!

    So, thank you for your help, insight and list. I have a few things now that I will talk about that can hopefully ease him through tomorrow and the future.

    Peace and prayers to all.

  215. Nita Gregory  March 10, 2014 at 4:12 pm Reply

    My Daughter passed away last year on March 23rd, at the age of 31, her one year anniversary is coming up soon, an I really appreciate the list you have, it has given me some great ideas. She was not only my daughter but my best friend. Thank you!!!

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  216. JM  January 23, 2014 at 8:57 pm Reply

    Thank you so much. I appreciate the time that you put into gathering the helpful comments. It is wonderful to have such a great resource available to help transition through the difficult times. Thank you again.

  217. Eleanor  January 23, 2014 at 12:44 pm Reply

    So I asked this over on Facebook and got a few good suggestions.

    “We have a walk every year…we have shirts that the students can purchase and a bake sale…all money goes into a scholarship for kids who can’t afford to go to Camp in the Fall with our fourth grade class. His family always attends.”

    “My son’s first birthday, since his death, passed recently. We had a quiet dinner at home. We wrote notes to him which we taped on helium balloons (1 for each of us). We each held a cupcake w a candle and stood outside in a circle. We sang Happy Birthday then blew out our candles and released our balloons. Not too Eco-friendly, I know, but it worked for us.”

    “We all had dinner and as soon as it got dark we released the Japanese floating lanterns. It was out own version of sending candles to heaven.”

    This was a really good questions and I think I am going to get started on an actual post addressing this.

  218. Eleanor  January 21, 2014 at 11:22 am Reply

    This is a good question. I’m going to think about this for a few and get back to you. In the mean time I’ve also asked our readers over on Facebook for some suggestions to see if anyone has done anything special that turned out well.

  219. JM  January 18, 2014 at 4:44 pm Reply

    Do you have any suggestions for new traditions for honoring the anniversary of a child’s death? Specifically to support healthy grief for the siblings?

  220. Debbie  January 12, 2014 at 12:48 pm Reply

    Thanks so much! I am off to research – will let you know what I end up with 🙂

  221. Litsa  January 12, 2014 at 11:00 am Reply

    Hi Debbie, it is so thoughtful you are trying to find something perfect for the memorial. We have a post on things to send instead of flowers for a funeral, and there may be some helpful ideas there https://whatsyourgrief.com/what-to-send-instead-of-flowers/

    On that list is a memorial ‘guestbook’ and I always think something like that is very nice. You could order the one we have listed, or create your own. Each page allows people there to share their favorite memory of the person, a message to their family, etc. If you created one yourself, it could include whatever you want- favorite memory, things her mom taught people that still carry on, etc. This way you could fill out a page, then at the memorial everyone there could take time to fill out a page.

    Also, there is a lot of neat memorial jewelry online. Etsy is a great place to look for really unique, customizable options.

    Let us know what you end up deciding to do!

  222. Debbie  January 11, 2014 at 8:10 pm Reply

    Hi, I am going to a “one year memory gathering” for my best friend’s Mum…my best friend is hosting. We’re not sure what we’ll be doing yet, there will be about 10 people there, a mix of ages. I’d like to do something nice for my friend too, but she already has photo collages, flowers, all the usual stuff…I want to do something to let her know I care, and that I haven’t forgotten her Mum. Any ideas?
    Thanks 🙂

  223. Eleanor  January 10, 2014 at 2:21 pm Reply

    Mary, good idea. I am sorry about your sons death. I hope you and your daughters find comfort in one another on Saturday. Have you come up with an idea of what to incorporate into the day?

  224. Mary  January 9, 2014 at 8:45 am Reply

    It will be the first year of my son going to heaven,I have 8daughters we are getting together this Saturday in celebration ,I am trying to think of some thing to are that we can add to every year I his honor

  225. Eleanor  January 5, 2014 at 9:47 am Reply

    I’m sorry Kym, it sounds like you’ve been dealing with a lot all on your own. If you don’t have to part with the rest of her belongings, then don’t. It sounds like you’ve given away what you could at this point, and that’s a job well done. I know it can be so frustrating to hear people say over and over – “let me know what I can do” or “I’m here if you need anything”. Sometimes its hard to know exactly what you need and even harder to actually ask. We wrote this post about identifying needs and asking for help that might be helpful -https://whatsyourgrief.com/support-system-superlatives-a-journaling-exercise/ I hope something on our site is helpful.

  226. Eleanor  January 5, 2014 at 9:39 am Reply

    Kelsey,

    I’m so sorry about your uncle. I’m sure his death has been devastating to your family. I do hope some of the suggestions were helpful, but of course your uncle was a special man who will inspire unique ways of being remembered. I hope your memorial service goes well. Let us know if there’s anything more specific we can help with.

    Eleanor

  227. Kym  January 5, 2014 at 3:37 am Reply

    This information was very helpful, on February 6, 2014 it will be the 2nd Anniversary for my beloved mother. I have no siblings and I have been on an emotional roller coaster. I have shared some of my mother’s belongings with her close friends and donated some to my church. We shared a home together and I can’t seem to depart with the rest
    Family is not close. I’ve heard, just let me know what I can do and I will be there so many times

  228. Kelsey  January 4, 2014 at 12:01 am Reply

    My uncle was recently murdered and it’s been the most terrible experience of my life. I hate having to look for these kinds of ideas but I know that they’ll help. He was such a unique person that I feel some of these do not apply to honoring him to the fullest. Although I have found some to be very helpful and I might just use them at his memorial service next month. Thank you.

  229. Eleanor  December 15, 2013 at 1:31 pm Reply

    Chris, I’m so sorry. I think it’s okay to avoid your home for this one day out of the year. Only 10 and 1/2 hours to go!! (if your on the east coast)

  230. chris  December 15, 2013 at 12:40 pm Reply

    Todays the day. I am currently out with friends and afraid to go home. I was at home five years again when I got the terrible phone call. Not sure if it is healthy to avoid my home.

  231. Abby  November 24, 2013 at 9:29 am Reply

    Thank you for this blog. In a couple of days its going to be my sons first anniversary as an angel in Heaven.
    I feel that i have lost him few days ago. The pain is unbearable.
    I am making a gathering to all his friends, teachers and everyone he touched with his warm smile and loving kind heart.

    I planned to sell cookies ( to donate to Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, where he was treated. Also there will be tattooing, but i don’t know what other things I can do.

    I will get helium balloons in red, and release them at the time he became an angel.

    I will also try to play a slide show of him.
    His friends will colour rocks and put them around the tree his school planted by his name. the tree is in the school play ground.

    please let me know if you have anymore ideas to make it a special event.

  232. Eleanor  October 29, 2013 at 11:04 am Reply

    Louisa, I’m so ridiculously glad do hear you’ve found a few of our suggestions helpful. It sounds like bull (but it’s not!) Litsa and I truly feel validated knowing even one person has found something on this blog beneficial. Thank you so much for forwarding to others and thanks for coming back.

  233. Eleanor  October 29, 2013 at 11:02 am Reply

    Oh Ann, I’m so sorry about your son’s death. When is the anniversary of his passing? Come back and ask for an ideas reminder, we’ll make sure to come up with some good ones!

    • Emily  January 8, 2017 at 7:15 pm Reply

      It’s nice to know other parents dealing with the same thing I just found this blog today, the anniversary of my daughters death January 8th and I understand that pain of losing a child. Just reading these comments has given me much comfort today 🙂 thank you ❤️

  234. Eleanor  October 29, 2013 at 10:59 am Reply

    Celeste,

    That is SO sweet of your husband. How thoughtful! Plus 10 points for him. Thank you for your condolences, after 7 years I’ve realized I’ll never stop grieving for my mother but now it takes the shape of things like you said – watching certain movies, laughing, joking.

    Eleanor

    • Silvie Argiro Pantsios  November 24, 2016 at 1:57 am Reply

      Today marked 10 years since my mom passed, November 23rd. Her name was also Evelyn! I just feel like I had to comment, your post definitely helped.

  235. Celeste  October 28, 2013 at 6:08 pm Reply

    Today is my grandmother’s birthday, and I didn’t even realize that I was doing what we lovingly refer to as “channelling Gradndma” last night. I spent some time rearranging furniture and organizing my space, which is something she would always do, I think as a way of clearing her mind. When I brought this up to my husband, he suggested that maybe we turn this into an actual tradition, since it seems to be something that I just naturally do anyway. What a thoughtful thing for him to suggest! Being able to celebrate one of her idiosyncracies is exactly what I needed.

    My sister and I watch certain movies on our mom’s remembrance days. And we gossip. It helps us feel closer to her. 😉

    Also, I am so sorry about your mom’s passing. I hope you are doing well and are surrounded by wonderfully supportive people.

  236. Ann Mullen  October 28, 2013 at 12:54 pm Reply

    I have forgotten those kinds of days, too. But I have forgotten birthdays etc since I was a kid. I have had a hard time dealing with the suicide of my son 11 years ago. I appreciate the ideas, but by next year, I’m afraid I will have forgotten them, too.

    • Terri Mullen Collins  April 20, 2016 at 9:40 pm Reply

      I was married to a wonderful man named Donnie Mullen. Died the same way. I’m blessed to have his 2 amazing sons, Stephen and Bruce Mullen.

    • Marzelle  July 21, 2016 at 9:07 am Reply

      Hi Ann Mullen,

      I too lost my mom to suicide now 17 years ago yesterday and the pain and the trauma comes back to haunt me every year, so none of these suggestions will work for me. Its a deep sadness no one can explain.

  237. Louisa Hill  October 28, 2013 at 12:38 pm Reply

    Thank you so much for this list. It’s been two years since my husband has been gone. So glad I discovered your blog. I’ve used most of your suggestions for anniversaries, birthdays, holidays, Memorial Day and Veteran’s Day and for just any day that I choose. All of the suggestions have really helped me to get through each day. I always forward your blog to others who are grieving or helping those who are grieving. Thank you.

    • James  February 10, 2016 at 11:29 pm Reply

      Thank you so very much and I sorry to hear about your lose. In about a half hour it will mark the first year without my mother. Thank you.

      • rebecca  February 26, 2016 at 11:12 am

        I just happened to this site, my mom’s 1yr is 3/1 and my dad isn’t good company. yalls comments made me not feel alone.

      • Agnes Kozlowski  May 30, 2016 at 4:20 pm

        Tomorrow will mark one year since my Mother died. This blog helped me to plan for Mom tomorrow. Thank you

      • Shera  September 22, 2016 at 2:33 am

        Thanks for this post, it makes me feel so much less alone. 9/28 marks a year that my birth mother has been gone. I don’t know how I’m going to feel or be on that day. But good to know Im not alone.

    • Aibon  February 8, 2017 at 11:50 pm Reply

      My older brother killed himself two years ago today and my life has been ruined since. Never gets easier only more painful
      Thank you

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