Love Lives On

By: Karen Kennedy, MSW One of the hardest parts of grieving is understanding that everyone grieves differently. Individuals respond differently to grief on a number of dimensions including emotions, thoughts, behaviors, physical reactions as well as spiritual expression. There is “no correct way to grieve.”  Researchers Kenneth L. Doka and Terry L. Martin provide explanations of…

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…

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…

By: Rusty Ramsey, Full Circle Board Member 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 to pass, and…

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…

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…

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…

By: Kali Newlen-Burden, Guest Blogger and Full Circle Volunteer/Supporter 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…

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…