Lately I find myself engaging with friends in an ancient and revered form of discourse whose origins lie in the dim past of humanity. To take part in this talking ritual requires only that you have reached a certain age and are willing to expose your innermost self.
Valentine's Day is soon upon us and a quick glance around just about any store is proof of that. We are surrounded by The Day of Romance, Hearts and Flowers (usually starting on December 26th). But what if you aren't coupled off?
News on the HHS contraception mandate and religious employers, Los Angeles abuzz over thousands of priest abuse files and more in today's religion reads.
I don't think you can describe a person from any one story. But there is one story that I think it's important to relate, one last story about growing up as kids, because ultimately it's a portrait of who John always was.
Once again, this week's episode of Downton Abbey is full of powerful insights about life, love and human nature.
While I hope not everyone will have to experience the tremendous loss I dealt with, we all need to take some "me" time and filter out the spam of life.
For almost 25 years I had it all: career, marriage, motherhood, a beautiful home -- and I was also buried under so many responsibilities for other people that I think of myself as being a member of the "Panini Generation." Worse than just a sandwich, we are squeezed and pressed.
Caring for the ones who had been so capable is not easy. All my life I've asked God to lead me to where he needed me. Again and again he's answered that prayer. But this time there were no easy answers.
It's difficult to death with anybody, but what do you say to say to kids about death -- especially when its their own?
As much as the constant of death remains the same, how we think about it, how talk about it and what we do after it continues to change.
Bronnie Ware, an Australian nurse who works many years in palliative care, has compiled a list of the top five regrets dying patients would express to her. What would you regret? This and more in the latest headlines in religion and death.
It is a sad reality that after losing a spouse, many widowed are the victims of accusation, criticism and actual blame. Whether it comes from the outside (relatives, friends, acquaintances, etc.) or is instead self-imposed, there is a lot of unnecessary pain being inflicted on the widowed.
The controversy over Giglio continues, while a new survey shows that a decreasing number of Americans agree with his view that homosexuality is a sin, and a new report shows that Americans get sicker and die younger than their peers in developed nations.
Restoration after a sudden trauma is not easy, but it is possible. In fact, you can even learn how to surf your tsunami, moving through it with skill and grace.
Of all of the deaths the nation has experienced in the last year, the public conversation about suffering and mourning has often been couched in the language of faith. What happens when atheists die?
It's something a lot of cancer articles don't mention. The physical effects are one thing -- losing hair and weight, pale skin color, no appetite or energy -- but I came to learn it changes a person more than just physically.
In reflecting on all the people who passed away this year, I am thinking of Nora Ephron and how this witty, wise and loving woman taught us not only how to live but also how to die.
Our relationship was complete. There were no axes to grind or unfinished business. No unspoken affections or apologies to make.
Please do not look at others in the widowed community and compare your progress (or what you may perceive to be a lack thereof). Your healing journey is not a competition, and it is certainly not a race to some imaginary finish line.
All of us still living can learn from my mother. Mom offered a stellar example of how best to leave this earth: The secret to dying well is to seize the moment with courage and determination and to squeeze as much joy, fun and deliciousness as you can while doing what you most love.
Most Popular
