grief
Losing a family member is one of the most traumatic life events; Families must support one another to endure the five stages of grief and get through it together.
My storytelling artwork
When I was 20 I buried my dad. nonHodgkins Lymphoma. I was a wreck. Literally broken. At 28 I buried my younger sister. Glioblastoma (nastiest, most aggressive form of a brain tumor you can imagine). I lost my best friend, shopping partner, confidant, therapist. I was on autopilot, just going thru the motions, the flow of the day, with no real direction or focus! I needed to have you both with me!! And poof! Out popped the first tattoo design. I was going to use my body as a way to beautifully capture a glimpse of time in our lives. I wasn't going to be alone anymore, I'd have pieces of you with me.
By Katie Schwenk5 years ago in Families
Foot Prints Of Time...
His little body remained, but his heart stood still, silent. I had felt empty lost in my thoughts trying to search for the right answers to why? I was sobbing and groaning and trying to breathe my body was weak and exhausted and my eyes were near swollen shut I just longed to be numb.
By Savannah Denvir5 years ago in Families
Lessons in passing
Fourteen years ago in July, I lived through one of my hardest days. I sat beside my grandfather and watched as he took his last breath. I witnessed his last minutes Earthside. I had been to funerals before. I understood death. But, I hadn’t lived it. I had never been that close to a person’s last moments. To say that the experience was difficult would be an understatement.
By Tabitha Garifi5 years ago in Families
Growing Up Without A Mom Finale
After leaving my mom, everything was different. I felt a bigger void than the one that was already there. I missed her now more than ever. Since I left I felt like we talked every week, instead of every month. It was great to hear her voice, and just hear her say I love you. About a month later, my mom made arrangements with my aunts to have me travel to Vegas for Thanksgiving with her side of the family. Thankfully, my aunts agreed. The plan was to have me spend Thanksgiving with my dad's side of the family and travel to Vegas the following day to spend the weekend with my moms side of the family. I was excited and beyond grateful, I was going to see her again, sooner than I thought... OR so I thought.
By Krista Nakano5 years ago in Families
Growing Up Without A Mom Pt. 3
The year I turned 16... That is supposed to be the best year for a girl. You're finally old enough to drive, more responsibilities, you're just getting older, high school is almost over, and being adult is soon to follow. Everything you should be looking forward to as a young adult. However, my 16th year, was far from being the best year...
By Krista Nakano5 years ago in Families
Coming to Terms With the Death of My Family
Coming to terms with the death of my family (Part one) Trigger Warning:Family Trauma This idea has been in play with my life since before I knew what my childhood trauma looked like. During my parent’s divorce, I felt as if my mother handled it poorly. I saw the reaction from my dad and it hurt more than the split. Throughout their divorce process, my mother treated me poorly. Don’t get me wrong, I was absolutely an angsty teenager and like always, I spoke my mind. When I found out about my mother’s affair, it was no secret that I disapproved. I remember one day, during court mandated therapy, I was asked to describe my mom in one word and I chose “home wrecker”. I’m sure this hurt her, but it was an honest description of how I felt. I mention this moment because it marked the beginning of the end for our relationship as mother and daughter. This seemed to be the moment she decided that I was too much trouble and not worth the hassle. Perhaps this sounds a bit dramatic, but this is coming from retrospective and not immediate feelings towards the matter. I remember the day I stopped loving her like a mom. She and I were fighting and to be honest, I don’t even remember what about. As we were walking up the stairs to her apartment door, she stopped me on the narrow stair riddled hallway, and slapped my face so hard that my braces went through my lip. She slapped me. I was a child, having a hard time coping with all of this new information in a short amount of time. Some people may read this and think about how the time was different or perhaps I really was such a pain in the ass and she snapped. To be honest, I don’t know if these were the case. All I know is that I was a child in pain. I was trying to cope with ideas way beyond my understanding and at that moment more than ever, I needed a mom. She started dating the man she cheated on my dad with and as you can imagine, I did not approve or take it lightly. My dismissal of this relationship provoked the first abandonment of me by my mom.
By Tawny Skye5 years ago in Families
An Update on My Open Letter
TW: Update on my open letter: I wish so much that I could report a positive reaction from my family. I wish I could tell all of you that they decided to believe and support me. That is not the reality though and I want to be transparent for those of you wanting to speak your truth because of me. You need to know of the worst case scenario before you do. Please read through all of this because it’s going to start off sad but end on a high note, I promise.
By Tawny Skye5 years ago in Families
A Letter To, X ♡ Selfishness + Forgiveness
TRIGGER WARNING: This letter is dedicated and intended for my baby brother who committed suicide. I miss him every single day. Please know grief is not easy and it comes in different waves, forms, and has no filter. If you are grieving.. please give yourself grace. If you know someone needs help—do what you can to help them. If you have ever been in a situation of wanting to take your own life, please know you are loved. Life is tough, unfair, and just out right hard to handle. But—Please get help. Don’t be afraid or embarrassed. Please reach out to someone. We want you here. I want you here. I send you so much love and so much light—and so many prayers.
By Deziree Bryant 5 years ago in Families
