“I’ve met a new person. I’m just getting to know them.”

Finding out who we are is a reality of now being on our own. Today the author shares his journey through this strange and in some ways unwelcoming world of defining one’s self.

We experience this encounter in today’s episode. From the essays Volume 7 - “Bridges” - written on June 2, 2020 - day 295 of the journey - this is essay #15 - “Lessons About Me - Part 2”

“The last thing you want to do - the first thing you need to go on”

Grief brings with it a tenacity to hold on to what has been lost. Call it instinct, call it denial - whatever you call it - holding on is at the core of our life of grief.

There comes a time though - and it may not even reach us consciously - that we do begin to let go.

Explore this moment in today’s episode. From the essays Volume 8 - “Lessons” - written on May 24, 2020 - day 286 of the journey - this is essay #14 - “Lessons of Letting Go”

“Grief vs. perfection.”

Reaching a completion is difficult to realize. Often we may miss the significance of a moment that brings with it so much more than we could have anticipated. Today we will hear of a moment of completion that made itself quite obvious - and profound in its effects.

From the essays Volume 8 - “Lessons” - written on May 18, 2020 - day 280 of the journey - this is essay #13 - “Lessons of Completeness”

“There is no greater love than to lay down one’s life for one’s friends. John 15:13 NLT”

Caregiving - if you have been touched by the responsibility - is one of the most highest callings that can be achieved. Today we look at caregiving in a way you may never have been aware of - nor experienced.

Explore this with us in today’s episode. From the essays Volume 8 - “Lessons” - written on May 15, 2020 - day 277 of the journey - this is essay #12 - “Lessons from Caregiving”

“The Jewel of my life - November, 1973”

In one of our more touching essays we will hear of lessons that are almost beyond words.

From Volume 8 - “Lessons” - written on April 30, 2020 - day 232 of the journey - this is Essay #11 - “Lessons from Joann”

“Struggles, lessons, prayers...and tea.”

Being ill is bad enough - being ill and alone brings an entirely new world of pain to the situation.

Yet lessons were being delivered.

Find out about those lessons in today’s episode. From the essays Volume 8 - “Lessons” - written on April 16, 2020 - day 256 of the journey - this is essay #10 - “Lessons from Being Ill”

“It was a day in grief like any other, how could I know?”

In the seemingly endless progression of our grief journeys - we long for release and comfort. Yet when a change does come - the welcome disruption that occurs is glorious in so many ways.

In the midst of a welcome change - we look back to see how the previous day had no way of telling us it was the last of its kind. And while we could not have known the exact date - we can know something just as meaningful.

Find out what that is in todays episode. From the essays Volume 8 - “Lessons” - written on April 16, 2020 - day 248 of the journey - This is essay #9 - “Lessons from my Last Day in Grief”

“Confirmation that big things are ahead.”

Is any day really any different from any other? This week the author reveals all that was in a seemingly routine day - a day that was anything but routine.

See what was lurking in day 245 in today’s episode. From the essays Volume 8 - “Lessons” - written on April 14, 2020 - day 246 of the journey - This is essay #8 - “Lessons from Day 245”

“They are there if we look hard enough.”

As grief makes you explore more and more of yourself and the past - there can be no stronger message than that left to you than from your Mother.

All mothers are not the textbook examples we wished we had. Some were struggling with their own issues and problems while they were raising you. But under that veil can come lessons.

Written on April 10, 2020 - day 242 of the journey. From volume 8 of the essays - “Lessons” - this is essay #7 - “Lessons from my Mother”

“Learning to walk all over again.”

After losing a spouse one of the new realities is that you are no longer a “we” - but a “me”. It can be disconcerting to realize that you may not be so sure of yourself as an independent person since you have always been sharing life.

Coming to grips with this new reality is the topic of today’s episode.

Written on April 9, 2020 - day 241 of the journey. From volume 8 of the essays - “Lessons” - this is essay #6 - “Lessons about Me - Part 1”