Category Archives: Grief

The three most important things – Irvin Yalom

Posted on November 25, 2023 by Jim deMaine

“Three things in human life are important. The first is to be kind. The second is to be kind. And the third is to be kind.” – Irvin Yalom Irvin Yalom is an author, teacher and practicing psychiatrist. He has … Continue reading →

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Pioneers in Aging Series from the King County Library System

Posted on March 8, 2023 by Jim deMaine

Here’s a link that will get you to the PIONEERS IN AGING series. The presentations are on Zoom but you will need to register separately for each talk, on Mondays at noon. April 24, Maria Kliavkoff, “Creating Compassionate Grief Communities” … Continue reading →

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How Do You Serve a Friend in Despair?

Posted on February 10, 2023 by Jim deMaine

If you are having thoughts of suicide, call or text 988 to reach the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline or go to SpeakingOfSuicide.com/resources for a list of additional resources. I’ll post a follow-up piece that I’ve written called “Is Suicide Ever Rational?” By David Brooks … Continue reading →

Posted in end of life, Grief, Mental Health | 2 Comments

Anderson Cooper Explores Grief and Loss in Deeply Personal Podcast

Posted on January 19, 2023 by Jim deMaine

Ed note: Shakespeare’s 73 sonnet speaks of anticipating loss: “This thou perceivist which makes thy love more strong; To love that well which thou must leave ere long.” Grief surrounds us as we near life’s end. How do we deal … Continue reading →

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Engineering for Grief

Posted on December 28, 2022 by Jim deMaine

Universally as we age, we can unfortunately experience loss and grief. The following is an essay from the current issue of the New England Journal of Medicine.

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Assisted living too often fails older, sicker residents, report says

Posted on December 5, 2022 by Jim deMaine

Thanks to Diana C – Published in the Washington Post Assisted-living communities too often fail to meet the needs of older people and should focus more on residents’ medical and mental health concerns, according to a recent report by a diverse panel … Continue reading →

Posted in Advocacy, Caregiving, Dementia, Disabilities, end of life, Grief, Health | 1 Comment

How to talk to a widow

Posted on December 1, 2022 by Jim deMaine

By Betty Rollin in the NYT Ms. Rollin is a former NBC News correspondent and the author of several books, including the memoirs “First, You Cry” and “Last Wish.” People are kind; some are wonderful. For a time. Then they move … Continue reading →

Posted in Advocacy, Aging Sites, end of life, Grief | 2 Comments

What if There’s No Such Thing as Closure?

Posted on January 9, 2022 by Jim deMaine

Ed note: I listened to this article today on “The Daily”–a New York Times free podcast. I’ve always felt that the linear notion of resolving grief is overstated as is the idea of closure. Pauline Boss writes that grief takes … Continue reading →

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Unexpected Christmas for single father with 7 children

Posted on January 3, 2022 by Jim deMaine

Thanks to Sybil Ann

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Frye Museum–Cultivating Compassion

Posted on November 10, 2021 by Jim deMaine

Thanks to Ann M. Cultivating Compassion:2021 Virtual Creative Aging ConferenceFriday, December 10, 9 am–3 pm PSTRooted in a discussion of compassion and empathy, this one-day virtual conference will focus on how we care for ourselves, each other, and the natural world. An exciting … Continue reading →

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The sad memorial, but inspirational nonetheless

Posted on September 11, 2021 by Jim deMaine
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Tonight, I mourn by Dan Rather

Posted on August 28, 2021 by Jim deMaine

(Thanks to Mary M.) Tonight, I mourn.  I mourn with a deep and heavy heart.  I mourn for the Marines sacrificed at a gate in Kabul on a mission to save lives.  I mourn for the scores more killed and maimed … Continue reading →

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Off the rails

Posted on February 4, 2021 by Jim deMaine

Thanks to Mike C. for forwarding this. Last month, Axios published “Off the rails,” a series taking you inside the end of Donald Trump’s presidency, from his election loss to the deadly Jan. 6 Capitol insurrection that triggered his second … Continue reading →

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Coping with grief

Posted on April 17, 2020 by Jim deMaine

Trudy James has spoken here at Skyline before. She sent out an email to many today. Here it is in case you missed it.

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Response to the sorrow in Sri Lanka

Posted on April 23, 2019 by Jim deMaine

Dear Friends, Here is a message from our partners at the Faith Action Network: As we’ve watched the news unfold from Sri Lanka, several have raised the question of how we might consider standing together against violence in yet more … Continue reading →

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How my dad’s dementia changed my idea of death (and life)

Posted on March 11, 2019 by Jim deMaine
Posted in Advance Directives, Dementia, Grief, Health | Comments Off on How my dad’s dementia changed my idea of death (and life)

What the psychic saw

Posted on December 6, 2018 by Jim deMaine

When the US filmmaker Matthew Palmer’s mother was 28 and childless, she received an unsettling prediction from a psychic: she would have a son, and her husband would die when their son was 13, but it would be ‘okay’. Uninterested … Continue reading →

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“Tour of Grief”

Posted on December 2, 2018 by Jim deMaine

From the NYT sent in by Pamela P The Orca, Her Dead Calf and Us Among the many quirks of human nature, one that has always struck me as particularly worthwhile is the tendency to project our own feelings onto … Continue reading →

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George W. Bush tribute to John McCain

Posted on September 1, 2018 by Jim deMaine
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Meghan McCain tribute to John McCain

Posted on September 1, 2018 by Jim deMaine
Posted in Grief, History, Obituaries, Politics, Remembrances, War | Comments Off on Meghan McCain tribute to John McCain

A place for hope

Posted on August 5, 2018 by Jim deMaine

It’s been a while since Barbara Bush, former First Lady of the United States, passed away in the spring, but a lot of people still are living on the hope she bequeathed to them. Throughout their long lives in the … Continue reading →

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“Healing After Loss: Daily Meditations For Working Through Grief”

Posted on June 13, 2018 by Jim deMaine

Steve Whitmore’s sister is an author of a number of books. This one is highly recommended for those suffering a loss: Healing After Loss: Daily Meditations For Working Through Grief Paperback – December 1, 1994 by Martha Whitmore Hickman  (Author) Here’s one of the many … Continue reading →

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Grief

Posted on January 17, 2018 by Jim deMaine

Just as loss becomes more acute with aging, grief tags along affecting us all in waves varying over time depending on the circumstances. The New York Times has a worthwhile article stating: “Although many of us are able to speak … Continue reading →

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A Man Called Ove

Posted on January 15, 2018 by Jim deMaine

The Skyline book club will be discussing “A Man Called Ove” in its February 12th gathering. All, of course, are welcome whether you’ve read the book or not. How can a book about an old Swedish curmudgeon, the death of … Continue reading →

Posted in Grief, Humor, Movies | 1 Comment

“Grief, when it comes, is nothing like we expect it to be.”

Posted on June 9, 2017 by Jim deMaine

Maria Popov has a thoughtful literary web site called Brainpickings. She recently  published an essay by Joan Didion on the subject of grief. She notes, “Grief turns out to be a place none of us know until we reach it. … Continue reading →

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