GriefSPEAK: Part time lovers – Mari Nardolillo Dias

Woman walking into sunset over water.

by Mari Nardolillo Dias, EdD, contributing writer on grief and grieving “…cause Fire is the devil’s only friend” (Don Mclean, Miss American Pie) (Note: Trigger Warning: Violent Death) He was a prominent man. A married man. A married man with children. He was known by all, if not by sight, certainly by name. He was…

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GriefSPEAK: Remembering until the end of time – Mari Nardolillo Dias

Elegant white lilies in bloom.

by Mari Nardolillo Dias, EdD, contributing writer Some of us plan each and every detail of our Celebration of Life. Others not so much. Still others – nada. I share my clients’ sadness over a loved one’s death without any preamble, verbal or written. I admire others who have peace as they know what their…

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GriefSPEAK: A happy death – Mari Nardolillo Dias

White roses on a piece of wood.

by Mari Nardolillo Dias, EdD, contributing writer “To die, to sleep  – To sleep, perchance to dream – ay there’s the rub. For in this sleep of death what dreams may come.” (William Shakespeare) Griffin was a dear cousin of mine. Like most cousin relationships in the 50’s and 60’s, we played manhunt and hide…

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GriefSPEAK: The death of hope – Mari Nardolillo Dias

A woman's hand holding a wedding ring on a table.

by Mari Nardolillo Dias, EdD, contributing writer Grief over divorce. Whether you filed. Whether your partner filed. After spending a considerable amount of time living with someone, the onslaught of emotions can bury us. This is referred to as a non-death or non-finite loss, but the consequences are often the same as a death loss. …

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GriefSPEAK: Believe it or not – Mari Nardolillo Dias, EdD

A silhouette of a woman's head with the sun behind it.

by Mari Nardolillo Dias, EdD, contributing writer Martha, my 65 year-old client was experiencing a vague lethargy and fatigue. Nothing she could put the “proverbial finger” on. Of course, it could be physical grief over the death of her mother, yet despite the vagueness, she was concerned, albeit a bit worried because it had been…

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GriefSPEAK: Timeless loss of a child – Mari Nardolillo Dias

A photo of a baby with the words "Forever in my heart, I miss you" capturing a moment of profound grief.

by Mari Nardolillo Dias, EdD, contributing writer “The hardest thing I’ve ever had to hear was that my child died. The hardest thing I’ll ever have to do is to live every day since that moment.’ (amourningmom.com) There is no time limit on grief. This Valentine’s Day marks decades that Anna will go without hearts,…

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GriefSPEAK: The depth of a widow’s grief – Mari Nardolillo Dias

An image of a blue ocean with waves symbolizing grief.

by Mari Nardolillo Dias, EdD. contributing writer Standing on the water’s edge you think you’re in control. Until she lulls you into depths no one would know… She’s so cold and vast, there’s no secret she can’t keep. Let me tell you about the ocean” (The Complaints and Joe Martira, “The Ocean” from “Chasing Light 2023.) In…

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GriefSPEAK: Addicted to nostalgia – Mari Nardolillo Dias

A car driving down a road with trees in the background.

by Mari Nardolillo Dias, EdD Colleen, an attractive 60-something year old woman came in for her first session this week. As she simultaneously shrugged off her coat, sat down, and balancing a  large iced coffee, she released a lengthy sigh. “I’m so thankful and relieved to have found you! It has been a long journey…

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GriefSPEAK: Your red threads – Dr. Mari Nardolillo Dias

A needle with a red heart on it, symbolizing grief.

by Mari Nardolillo Dias, EdD, contributing writer What is the symbolism of the red thread? Legends of the red thread exist in almost every culture, philosophy, and religion.  One of the stories, based in Eastern philosophy is that when we are born, there is a red thread tied to us. It is invisible, of course,…

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