Articles by Gary Roe
5 Truths for When Grief Rocks Our Faith
"I wish I could see her somehow. I want to know where she is, what it's like, and what she's doing." Connie said. Connie's daughter Libby was a wild child. She experimented with drugs early and became an addict. After hitting bottom, she checked herself into a rehab...
4 Keys to Overcoming Sadness
The following is adapted from the 2018 Book Excellence Award Winner, Teen Grief: Caring for the Grieving Teenage Heart. Even if you don’t have teens, please read on. Chances are you’ll be able to personally relate to the sadness described here. How we manage this...
3 Reasons Every Grieving Heart Can Be Encouraged
Last week I received word that one of my books, Teen Grief: Caring for the Grieving Teenage Heart, was the winner of a 2018 Book Excellence Award. As I read the email, I sat there for a moment, stunned. Then, I sighed. Tears came into my eyes. Somebody noticed....
5 Quick Truths for Managing Heavy Loss
When we lose someone we love, our world is upended. Our hearts shake. We’re stunned. Our lives changed in an instant. Dealing with all the changes loss and grief bring is hard work. From the Grieving Heart: I miss you. Badly. I have one of your voicemails saved. I...
3 Reasons Why Grief is So Intense
Loss smacks us like a tsunami. It leaves us stunned and shaken, wondering what hit us. Grief can be intense. From the Grieving Heart: How could this happen? This can't be real. You're going to walk through that door any moment, I just know it. The tears start...
5 Tips for Winning the Depression Battle
“I eat. He drinks. I talk. He doesn’t. We both go through the motions, trying to somehow be strong for our other kids. Every day is an uphill battle,” Mandy shared. Mandy and Mike’s son Marcus had been looking forward to college for years. He was a serious student,...
5 Things Every Grieving Heart Needs
Grieving hearts need five things to survive, grieve, and live again: We need comfort. We need safety. We need hope. We need healing. We need each other. First of all, comfort. Loss is painful. Separation hurts. Oblivious to our suffering, the world around us speeds on...
3 Keys to Remember about Grief and Emotional Pain
"Does it ever get any better? Everyone says I should be over this or further along." Annette said. Annette's daughter Kimberly was the younger of two girls. She loved pink, dogs, and horses. If she had the option, she would have lived outside. She did well in school,...
3 Tips for Dealing with Critical, Unhelpful People
"People can be so insensitive and mean. Do they realize what they're saying?" Janet said, wringing a napkin in her hands. Janet's daughter Courtney was a tough and determined survivor. Diagnosed with lymphoma in her late teens, Courtney battled through treatment...
5 Ways to Make a Difference, Even While Hurting
The following is an excerpt from Teen Grief: Caring for the Grieving Teenage Heart. Grief loneliness hits all of us. I’ll bet you can relate. The suggestions at the end apply to all of us who want to help others who are grieving. Here are 5 ways to make a difference,...
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