Category: Blog

By: Allyson England Drake, M.Ed, CT COVID-19 Pandemic. Senseless acts of violence. School shootings of young children. Numerous mass shootings. Increased suicides in our country. Overwhelming numbers of overdoses. Devastating weather and other natural events.  First responders, educators, employees, parents, news reporters, coroners, students, mental health clinicians, medical professionals …just to name a few…are suffering … Continue reading Coping with Secondary Grief and Trauma

by Adam Carpenter In November of 2017 my life changed forever. My wife and I unexpectedly lost our first daughter at 23 weeks gestation. The pain and emotions that I was feeling were stronger than anything I had ever felt before. I was terrified that this was going to take over my life in a … Continue reading A Father’s Grief

by Russell "Rusty" Ramsey, Full Circle Board Member, Vice Chair Coping with grief and dealing with the loss of a parent is difficult, especially as a child. Elementary school aged children lack the foresight as to what lies ahead and instead focus on the moment. Time may heal all wounds, but as a child, time takes forever … Continue reading Strength in Grief

by Jason Owen, Full Circle Board Member There are a handful of topics no one wants to discuss. In not talking about them, our minds are tricked into believing they could never happen. But these things do happen, and the collateral damage lives deep in the hearts of those left behind. They are like a secret club with … Continue reading Ask, Listen, & Learn

By: Laura (Thien Huong) Pho, Guest Blogger My Mom, Lucy Le (pronounced “lay”), was killed in a pedestrian crash in front of our home by a neighbor backing out of their driveway in July 2020. Mom, my best friend, lived with our family at the time and had been on her daily morning walk. I ran … Continue reading How Buddhism’s “Built-In Grievance Process” Helped Me

By: Margo Asay, Full Circle Supporter and Guest Blogger I’m a fixer – I think all moms are. No matter how old your child is, moms feel the need to fix – to make it better.  But sometimes that’s not possible. The feeling of helplessness to change the situation is a crushing blow.  To witness your son or daughter … Continue reading Grandparent Grief

by Kali Newlen-Burden, Guest Blogger and Full Circle Volunteer Twenty-two years, one month, and 20 days. That’s how long I was blessed with my mom’s presence. I wish I had more time, but it was more than enough to collect a lifetime’s worth of love and memories. I treasure a voice recording from my 22nd birthday … Continue reading Passed but Present

By: Emily Frank, Full Circle Volunteer and Long Time Supporter Mother's Day is always a challenge for my family as I lost my mother when I was 20 years old. She died at 43 as a result of lung cancer leaving behind a husband and 4 children of which I am the oldest. I was away at … Continue reading A Journey of Hope and Healing

By: Allyson England Drake, Full Circle Founder and Executive Director My mother, Joan Carter England, died April 29, 2018 from pancreatic cancer. She was sick for 13 months and fought harder than I ever thought possible to have as many days on this earth as she could. I mourned her before she died because watching … Continue reading Facing Mother’s Day Without Your Mother

By Carrie Schaeffer, LCSW, Perinatal Bereavement Services Manager Mother’s Day is quickly approaching as we settle into spring. The day is celebrated with flowers and picnics, homemade crafts and time spent together as a family. It is a day to honor and reflect on the sacred bond formed between a mother or mother-figure and her children.  For some, … Continue reading Mother’s Day: Thinking of ALL Mothers