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: What do Easter and Grief have in common? – Mari Nardolillo Dias

A gift basket with a teddy bear in it.

By: Mari Nardolillo Dias, contributing writer According to Fr. Michael Rennier, “On a day like Easter, the world is brimming over with new life. Megan Devine adds: “The language of death and resurrection is going to find its way to your ears. Despite your religious beliefs, everyone knows the story of Easter. Jesus is crucified…

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GriefSPEAK: The world goes round and round – Mari Nardolillo Dias

Tulips and pansies in london.

By: Mari Nardolillo Dias, contributing writer Death is associated with a lot of little losses. Heather’s husband recently passed, and she speaks of the series of losses. “The first day after the funeral, the lack of laundry caused me to sob uncontrollably. Preparing a dinner for one was devastating. Every little task is a reminder…

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GriefSPEAK: Calling all angels – Mari Nardolillo Dias

A statue of an angel in a cemetery.

by Mari Nardolillo Dias, contributing writer Many of us have heard of “angel time.” Why do certain numbers keep showing up in our lives? Are the angels using clocks or license plate numbers to get out attention? (Belief.net). It can vary with individuals but is often a succession of the same numbers. In Doreen Virtue’s…

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GriefSPEAK: One Tiny Voice – Mari Nardolillo Dias

A woman sitting on a wooden table.

by Mari Nardolillo Dias, contributing writer I am only one voice in the smallest state in the United States, a nation of many across the globe.  A tiny voice, albeit a loud one that speaks on behalf of many. Under their fervor, intensity and bravado, many Ukrainians are grieving. Whether it be anticipatory or acute, the…

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GriefSPEAK: The Emperor’s New Clothes – Mari Nardolillo Dias

Speak the truth even if your voice shakes.

by Mari Nardolillo Dias, contributing writer Given the recent protests in Ottawa, Canada as well as well as January 6th commission, I feel compelled to republish this article. The grief associated with the loss of freedom in free speech causes a great deal of anxiety and uncertainty, analogous to a death. _ We are living in…

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GriefSPEAK:  The thief that steals us: ALS – Mari Nardolillo Dias

An abstract image of a human head with colorful splatters.

By: Mari Nardolillo Dias “I got my first real six-string Bought it at the five-and-dime Played it ’til my fingers bled Was the summer of ’69… Man, we were killin’ time We were young and restless We needed to unwind I guess nothin’ can last forever – forever, no” (Bryan Adams) Sebastian is a 50…

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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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