Category Archives: Progress

6 Things About My New Normal

Posted on January 14, 2016 by edcol52

Grief literature is filled with the concept of the “new normal”. It is usually portrayed as the goal for people grappling to rebuild their lives after a traumatic event. The idea is, in a situation which appears so surreal – the destruction of your … Continue reading →

Posted in Coping, Daily Ramblings, Grief, Jake Colman, Observations, Progress, Sadness | Tagged , , , , , , , | 8 Comments

December 28, 2015

Posted on December 29, 2015 by edcol52

Yesterday marked the second anniversary of Jake’s passing. Last year on this day, I wrote a long post about the first year, and what lessons I learned. I don’t have much new to report this year. My cousin is here … Continue reading →

Posted in Coping, Food, Friends and Family, Honoring Jake, Jake Colman, Observations, Photography, Progress | Tagged , , , , , | 7 Comments

Everything Doesn’t Happen for a Reason

Posted on November 8, 2015 by edcol52

This excellent essay has been making the rounds. It is well written and anyone who is grieving knows it is true. To imply that there is some higher reason for our tragedies does not lessen our pain or make it … Continue reading →

Posted in Blog, Coping, Grief, Jake Colman, Other Media, Progress | Tagged , , | Leave a comment

The Day the Music Died

Posted on March 23, 2015 by edcol52

When Jake died he took many things with him. He took a possible future where Terry and I became doting grandparents and replaced it with a future where we are that old childless couple sitting on the park bench as young lovers … Continue reading →

Posted in Coping, Daily Ramblings, Grief, Jake Colman, Memory, Progress, Sadness | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , | 12 Comments

5 Rights of the Bereaved Parent

Posted on March 3, 2015 by edcol52

This article reiterates much of what I and many others have written, clearly and concisely. We paid a terrible price for these ‘rights’, and deserve to have others honor and respect them. I thank our dear friends and families for … Continue reading →

Posted in Blog, Coping, Grief, Kindness, Other Media, Progress, Support | Tagged , , , , , , , | 3 Comments

Another one of those “What Not to Say to Bereaved Parents” posts

Posted on January 11, 2015 by edcol52

Originally posted on Grief: One Woman's Perspective:
I know it’s really hard to know what to say to a bereaved parent. There are some really good books and blog articles out there on what to say or not say, though,…

Posted in Blog, Grief, Jake Colman, Other Media, Progress, Support | Leave a comment

Lessons of the Year

Posted on December 28, 2014 by edcol52

December 28, 2014 – 10:15 AM As we mark the one year ‘anniversary’ of Jake’s death, I find myself reflecting on the past twelve months, and what, if anything, I have learned. There have been many lessons, both painful and enlightening. It … Continue reading →

Posted in Coping, Friends and Family, Grief, Honoring Jake, Jake Colman, Jake's Spirit, Kindness, Memory, Observations, Progress | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , | 12 Comments

Golfing With(out) Jake

Posted on November 23, 2014 by edcol52

Jake and I played golf throughout his life. We got him his first set of toy clubs when he was three or four. He would hockey the oversized ball around the yard until he had coaxed it into the big plastic “hole” … Continue reading →

Posted in Golf, Healing, Honoring Jake, Jake Colman, Jake's Spirit, Memory, Progress | Tagged , , , , , , , , | 6 Comments

Eleven Months

Posted on November 17, 2014 by edcol52

It is the orthodox custom to recite Kaddish, the prayer said by mourners on behalf of the departed, for eleven months following the death of a parent. Why eleven months? The belief is that the departed sits under Divine judgement for … Continue reading →

Posted in Ceremony, Friends and Family, Grief, Honoring Jake, Jake Colman, Progress, Sadness | Tagged , , , , , | 8 Comments

Losing My Voice

Posted on August 3, 2014 by edcol52

Where does the time go? I have read that it takes 21 days to create a habit. That is if you want to start doing something, do it consistently for 21 days, and you will create the habit to continue … Continue reading →

Posted in Daily Ramblings, Friends and Family, Grief, Honoring Jake, Jake Colman, Memory, Observations, Poetry, Progress | Tagged , , , , | 4 Comments