Topic: grief

Making peace with myself

By Rev. Charles Moreland | June 11, 2008 |

I struggled with grief recently as a close friend, Georgia, who worked with me in the last election, died suddenly. She ignited my commitment to be active in the community.

Also I regret the passing this spring of William F. Buckley, world famous conservative. Although I didn’t know him, as a personal friend as I did Georgia, his contributions impressed me. Though at opposite ends on certain controversial issues, still I saw his significance. It’s easy as I review his values to find plenty of his views to denounce, reject and object to, but he brought a measure of sanity to the conservative movement where he was a prophetic voice.

As I read about his life, his principles, his prejudices, his influence for good in his eulogies, a question rises from my subconscious: What will people say about me upon my passing? There I go, trying to avoid saying that five-letter word: death. «Read the rest of this article»

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Picking up the pieces after suicide

By Michael Covington | May 13, 2008 |

When a loved one takes their life by their own hands, how are we to pick up the pieces and go on with life? For a suicide survivor, life can never be seen the same way again. Many emotions and surface and submerge long after the eulogies are delivered.

Suicide is the eleventh leading cause of death in people of all ages. Also, according to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention, the average rate of suicides in the United States is 89 per day. This equals roughly one suicide every 16 minutes. In 2005, eight percent of U.S. high school students had reported at least one attempt at suicide at some point in the previous 12 months. The rate of U.S. high school students reporting that they seriously considered a suicide attempt in the last year was 16.9%. Also, males commit suicide at almost four times the rate that females commit suicide. In four out of every five cases, there are warning signs against possible suicide.

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Sections: Issues, Opinion | 1 Comment »

When grief comes …

By Rev. Charles Moreland | October 7, 2007 |

On occasion, I allow my mind to meander down the dark and gloomy path of grief with thoughts of events or experiences that are yet to be. Sometimes we are victims of anticipatory grief, as it is called by professional in psychology.

Anticipatory grief can be healthy, depending on its duration and our response to it. To think about the inevitable, such as our own demise, though sad, can motivate us to positive action, such as making a will, establishing a trust, and keeping our beneficiaries updated on our finances at every level.

Cassie, our beloved twenty-pound Chinese Pug, is more than a pet; she is a family member. Now nearly15-years-old, she has been in our care for the past ten years. She is a delightful companion and affectionate even to strangers. If animals can love, she loves children and adults alike. Singing her accolades is easy, and she is ideal for us.

To further her quality of life, she receives frequent health care from her vet, Dr. Winn; a nutrional diet, and a monthly grooming at PetSmart. «Read the rest of this article»

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A Son Remembers His Firefighter Father In Charleston, S.C.

By Turner McCullough Jr. | June 20, 2007 |

The death of nine firefighters in a horrid furniture store fire in Charleston, South Carolina has devastated that city and the state. It’s said to be the worst one-time lost of life since 9-11. Many stories have appeared detailing the incident. The following link goes to a son’s rememberance of his firefighter father who had come out of retirement to return to firefighting duty at the department. It’s a somber acknowldgment of the dangers of the job.

To read this personal memorial go to: http://www.wcbd.com/midatlantic/cbd/news.apx.-content-articles-CBD-2007-06-19-0023.html

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