GriefSPEAK: Black fascination – Mari Nardolillo Dias

Pallbearers carrying a floral-covered coffin.

by Mari Nardolillo Dias, EdD, contributing writer “Excuse my black fascination. Can you hold a thought of final destination? …Please don’t mind my temptation, excuse my black fascination.” Dean Petrella (Distractions). Death is the last ‘bad” word. Many are terrified of the thought of dying; some look forward to the transition. Looking forward to seeing…

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GriefSPEAK: Freedom or fear – Mari Nardolillo Dias

loneliness

by Mari Nardolillo Dias, contributing writer, grief and grieving “When you’re alone and life is making you lonely, you can always go Downtown…” -Petula Clark, “Downtown” (1964) The surgeon general has declared an epidemic of loneliness in the United States. In fact, Dr. Ruth was named the loneliness ambassador before her passing. Loneliness is not…

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GriefSPEAK: What would you do? – Mari Dias Nardolillo

Woman enjoying healthy breakfast bowl.

by Mari Dias Nardolillo, EdD, contributing writer, grief and grieving Heather has been diagnosed with a terminal illness. Stage 4 metastasized breast cancer to the lung and brain. The chemotherapy makes her feel worse than the cancer. As a 50-year-old divorced woman with one adult daughter, Heather wants to opt for “death with dignity.”  Her…

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GriefSPEAK: The Feast and my birthday, namesake, memories – Mari Nardolillo Dias

st. mary's feast

by Mari Nardolillo Dias, EdD, contributing writer Note: Next weekend welcomes St. Mary’s Feast of Madonna Della Civita in Cranston. Until recently, the feast has always been celebrated on the 21st of July, the author’s birthday and namesake. It seems appropriate to reprint on this to provide the history of the feast on this, her 72th birthday. One…

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GriefSPEAK: The Mortician’s Daughter – Mari Nardolillo Dias

Smiling blonde woman wearing glasses.

by Mari Nardolillo Dias, EdD, contributing writer The month of June, regardless of the years gone by, will always be the month my dad died and I received my doctoral dissertation. This article is an homage to our relationship. (Names and locations have been changed) It’s complicated when you’re a girl; even more so when…

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