GriefSPEAK: Mari’s Musings – Mari Nardolillo Dias

A woman sitting on a wooden table.

By: Mari Nardolillo Dias Rock a bye baby on the treetop When the wind blows the cradle will rock When the bough breaks, the baby will fall And down will come baby, cradle and all. The conundrum of Roe vs. Wade is not clear cut. At least not to me. It is no surprise that…

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GriefSPEAK: If Only – Mari Nardolillo Dias

A sunrise over the mountains with clouds in the background.

By: Mari Nardolillo Dias …”I need to know that things are gonna look up Cuz I feel us drowning in a sea spilled from a cup When there is no place safe and no safe place to put my head When you feel the world shake from the words that are said And I’m calling…

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GriefSPEAK: Objects of our affection – Mari Nardolillo Dias

A wooden box full of tools on a wooden background.

By: Mari Nardolillo Dias, EdD Giana saved the plastic bags from her elementary school lunches. Her mom would always wrap her sandwiches in sandwich bags, which Giana would save and collect. Five a week. Twenty a month if there were no holidays. 20 a month for approximately 10 months. 200 sandwich bags a year. Early…

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GriefSPEAK: Happy Birthday, Bobby – Mari Nardolillo Dias

A set of colored pencils next to a drawing of a yellow butterfly.

By: Mari Nardolillo Dias “If you’re lost you can look and you will find me, time after time” (Cyndi Lauper) Tuesday, January 25th was my brother Bobby’s 68th birthday – his first in heaven.  Only six months since his sudden and untimely death. My plan was to bring a butterfly on a wire (so it…

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GriefSPEAK: So, this is Christmas – Mari Nardolillo Dias

A green christmas tree on a swirly background.

By: Mari Nardolillo Dias “So, this is Christmas And what have you done Another year over And a new one just begun” (John Lennon) I have received several Christmas cards with letters enclosed. These letters summarize the highs, the lows, and the major happenings of the family members throughout the past year. There are births,…

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GriefSpeak: A Christmas passing blessing – Mari Nardolillo Dias

A group of people in santa hats standing in front of bushes.

By Mari Nardolillo Dias Deb texted me a few days ago. “Downward spiral. I’m scared.” I knew she was referring to her husband, loving referred to as Joe Mac. His prostate cancer had metastasized to his bones. Anyone who has experienced living with and watching a loved one die of cancer knows the highs and…

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GriefSpeak: What color is your sadness? – Mari Nardolillo Dias

RINewsToday

by Mari Nardolillo Dias, EdD, contributing writer “Privilege:  Having the rare opportunity to do something that brings particular pleasure.” Grief has no color. Grief has no ethnicity, race, or culture. Nor does grief belong to a social or educational class or gender. Albeit there are different beliefs, values and funereal practices associated with death, death…

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GriefSpeak: Mediums – Truth or Fiction – Mari Nardolillo Dias

RINewsToday

by Mari Nardolillo Dias Angela has been meeting with a medium since her husband passed. He (Charlie) often “comes through” and speaks of memories and experiences that the medium could not possibly be aware of. Last week, Angela’s medium said Charles was asking about their twins, now adults. The medium was not aware that Angela…

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