Articles by Gary Roe

We speak their name…

Recently, I had the honor of speaking at Hospice Brazos Valley's Celebration of Life service. Over 200 people came, some with pictures in hand, to pay tribute to and honor loved ones who died over the last year. As I looked out at this sea of faces, I could see the...

What To Do When You Feel Like Screaming…

Ever feel like screaming? With all the losses we get hit with, and all that happens to us and around us, it’s hard to believe we aren’t screaming most of the time. Perhaps we are – silently, in the deep recesses of our hearts. Maybe it’s time we let a little of that...

Weird Symptoms: When Grief Gets Physical

Grief often gets physical. "I have headaches. My back hurts. My stomach bothers me almost every day. I have dizzy spells. I think my body is falling apart," Shirley shared. Seemingly out of the blue, Shirley's daughter Corinne was diagnosed with advanced breast...

Buck up and get over It? Yeah, right.

Buck up and get over it. Yep, we’ve all heard some version of that. If we’re in the middle of a pity party, that might be good advice. If we’re hurting and in the midst of healing, however, it’s not very helpful. “People are telling me to buck up and get over it. Life...

When We Blame Ourselves

Guilt can be heavy. "I know it's my fault. Now I'm being punished. I can't make this right. What can I do?" Melissa choked through her tears. Melissa's son Carter was her third child. He came out screaming, and (according to Melissa) never stopped talking. He grew...

How to Deal with Fear and Worry

Fear. Worry. One leads to the other, and then back and forth. Life is tough. Our hearts get hit. Losses abound. If we’re not careful, fear can take up residence. Worry can paralyze us. We can’t afford that. Worry can gobble a life Larry was diagnosed with MS in...

SHATTERED: Surviving the Loss of a Child has been released!

Losing a child is a terrible thing. And that’s a gross understatement. As many of you know, I have been working on a new book for bereaved parents and grandparents. It has been a difficult and emotional project. We’re pleased to announced that the electronic version...

Merry Christmas, from me to you

Merry Christmas. Not all of us feel merry. Perhaps none of us do. For those in grief, this time will be emotional, hard, and unpredictable. This holiday is uncharted territory. We've never been here before, at this particular time and place. This can be unsettling and...

When Holidays Hurt: 3 Keys to Survival

December is upon us. Ah, the holidays. Halls, houses, and lawns are decked with festive decorations. Kitchens are filled with delightful, savory aromas. The air is laced with laughter, familiar music, and the tinkling of Salvation Army bells. The holiday spirit is...

When SPECIAL DAYS bring SADNESS

One Sunday afternoon when I was fifteen, my dad had a massive heart attack and collapsed in front of me. They resuscitated him at the hospital, but he never regained consciousness. For a week I sat by his bed and talked about anything and everything that came into my...