I recently heard of a friend’s mother’s dying process.  “It’s just awful,” my friend said, “they’ve got hospice in the house and she’s just got a few days left.”  Meanwhile, I learned that this elderly woman is surrounded by her husband, children, and grandchildren, all of whom have had an opportunity to share their love. (more…)

I’m a Gleek, a devoted fan of the Fox show “Glee.”  I’ve been watching avidly for two years.  Although it’s a musical drama about a high school glee club, they sensitively tackle serious subjects like bullying, homosexuality, teen pregnancy, divorce, and now death.

As a grief therapist, I was curious to see how they might treat this subject in the most recent episode, “Funeral.”  Sue Sylvester (the viciously cruel gym teacher) lost her beloved sister and was devastated.  She shut down in her pain. (more…)

The Gallup poll has come up with a statistical composite for the happiest person in America.  He is a tall Asian American, observant Jew, over 65, married with children, live in Hawaii, run his own business, and have a household income of over $120,000. (more…)

Reminders of life’s fragility are everywhere.  I know that there are automobile accidents every day, yet I somehow manage to forget.  I hop in my car, happy and relaxed as if there are no risks.   Yet, this week I know two people involved in accidents.  In both instances, cars totaled, the drivers walked away physically unharmed.

I know how much this experience can shake your core.  I’ve been in two car crashes in my life:  once on the back roads of Mexico and once in my own back yard on Route 33.  One minute you are driving innocently along and the next minute, car crushed, you are shocked and shaken, talking with officers on the side of the road.  And this is the lucky scenario. (more…)

With the rest of the world, I have watched the videos and news accounts of tragedy in Japan.  As if the earthquake and tsunami weren’t enough, the nuclear reactor explosions and subsequent meltdown are creating an industrialized disaster of unprecedented proportions. (more…)