Relationships

June 14, 2018
Missing Your Dad on Father's Day

Missing Your Dad on Father’s Day

Living intentionally with people is paramount to living well. I also believe intentionality is essential to grieving well. Father’s Day hits a tender spot. Every year […]
May 10, 2017
If Your Mom has Died

If Your Mom has Died, If Your Child has Died … The Shadow Side of Mother’s Day

This post isn’t to take away from the joy of those celebrating or being celebrated this Mother’s Day – go for it, enjoy and make the […]
March 22, 2017
Stop Saying “Don’t Give Up.” Please.

Stop Saying “Don’t Give Up.” Please.

We say a lot of things to grieving people that under normal circumstances would be fine, hopefully even encouraging, but to people facing a life or […]
June 11, 2014
Learning from my Four Fathers

Learning from my Four Fathers

Four Fathers I get a haunting pit in my stomach now when Father’s Day approaches. Don’t get me wrong, I love the holiday, but working at […]
June 4, 2014
A Buddhist Memorial Service: Making Time to Remember Years Later

A Buddhist Memorial Service: Making Time to Remember Years Later

It is Buddhist practice to hold a memorial service for loved ones every set number of years after their death. Recently, my family and I gathered […]
April 16, 2014
Stubborn Love | The Power of Lyrics

Stubborn Love | The Power of Lyrics

“Its better to feel pain, than nothing at all. The opposite of love is indifference.” It was around 10:30 on a Wednesday night, and there I […]
April 7, 2014
Connection and Kindness: How We’re Different

Connection and Kindness: How We’re Different

We love feedback and part of my job at O’Connor is to meet with families we have recently served to collect their responses, experiences & stories […]
October 22, 2013
Saying Goodbye to “Amber

Saying Goodbye to “Amber, Pamber, Peaches, Pumpkin, Pie” & 5 Ways to Pay Tribute to Your Beloved Pet

I call my friend Betty my “California Mom”. We met over seven years ago serving together at church. One of many reasons we bonded immediately is […]
October 1, 2013
Put Me In The Corner: Brawling with Grief

Put Me In The Corner: Brawling with Grief

Imagine for a moment that you are a professional strike artist. A master of the body shot, and a prolific producer of the “right hook”.  You’re […]