Articles by Gary Roe
9 Things I Learned (Again) in 2018
I don't know about you, but I'm sad today. Six friends of mine died this year, including a young neighbor across the street. Two other friends lost teen sons to suicide. Our family's beloved optometrist was diagnosed with ALS (Lou Gehrig's Disease). My 15-year-old son...
3 Things I Wish for You This Christmas
Christmas. It can be wonderful. It can be tough. For most of us, there is pain associated with this time of year. We're all missing someone - probably several someones. Our hearts yearn. Old wounds and losses resurface, and we feel the pain. I know there is nothing I...
9 Keys to Holiday Sanity While Grieving
Holidays can make us crazy. Add loss and grief into the mix, and many of us wonder how we’re going to get through this. Holidays can be crazy-making times. “I’m scared. It’s like I’m frozen and can’t move. How do I face life without my husband?” Tina asked....
3 Steps to Sane Holiday Decision-Making
One Sunday afternoon during the holidays, I ran into Chris and Karen in the grocery store. They seemed to be moving in slow motion, shuffling their feet and staring blankly ahead. I was almost on top of them before they noticed me. They looked exhausted. “Hey guys....
3 Steps to Guarding Your Grieving Heart this Season
Sal and Mildred called themselves December people. They were both born in December and were married on Christmas Eve. “We partied all month long!” Mildred said. When Mildred passed in early December, Sal wasn’t surprised. “She waited until our party month. Now she’s...
3 Big Reasons Why Holidays Hurt
Holidays can hurt, especially when we’re missing someone. How do we celebrate when our hearts are broken? Where’s the Grinch when you need him? Hurting for the holidays Is it okay to hurt during the holidays? Absolutely. Here are three big reasons why holidays...
7 Tips for Overcoming the Loneliness of Grief
We’re made for relationship. No wonder loss hurts. It crushes our hearts. As a hospice chaplain, I believe one of our greatest fears is feeling alone, left behind, or abandoned. I’ve felt it myself, and I’ve heard it from the hearts of hundreds of others. Steven’s...
5 Things to Remember When People Disappoint You
When loss hits, our world changes. This includes our relationships. People around us tend to over-promise but under-deliver in terms of supporting us in meaningful ways. This leads to more loss. From the Grieving Heart: This would be easier if it weren't for...
7 Truths Grieving Hearts Can Cling To
Life has changed. Loss has invaded. Grief surfaces everywhere. And yet, everyone around us just wants us to get better - fast. From the Grieving Heart: I feel like a robot. I'm going through the motions. I don't want to go anywhere or do anything. Why can't...
3 Reasons Anxiety is Natural for Grieving Hearts
Worry. Anxiety. Fear. Panic. Most of us are familiar with these things. “I’m having trouble sleeping. My mind won’t settle. I’m nervous and fidgety. I can’t concentrate,” Mary said, gently rocking back and forth. “In fact, I seem to be anxious about everything,” she...
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