I’m speaking to you directly from my heart.

This week marks the fifth anniversary of my baby brother’s passing, and it’s been a difficult time for my family. As I reflect on my own experience with grief, I want to share what I’ve learned—about the many ways people move through loss and how important it is to be kind to yourself and to others during this journey.

I’ll talk about the well-known stages of grief and why it’s absolutely okay to grieve in your own way, on your own terms. I’ll share stories from my neighborhood and my family, from neighbors who find comfort living alone after loss to others who choose to remarry quickly. I believe there’s no right or wrong way to grieve, and we all deserve the space to do it in the manner that feels right for us.

If you’re grieving, supporting someone who is, or simply seeking to understand more about the process, I hope this episode encourages you to be gentle, to stop judging, and to start listening with empathy. May it bring you comfort, perspective, and the reminder that kindness is key.

Email me, Lisa Stockdale, anytime at [email protected]

Aging in Full Bloom with Lisa Stockdale is sponsored by HomeCaire. We believe every patient should get the personalized care they need, in the way they want it. Every caregiver should feel supported, valued, and motivated. We see each person as their own entity, with unique needs, desires, and skills. Our goal is to best support our family as they reach new milestones.

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Copyright 2026 Lisa Stockdale

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Thanks for listening to Aging in Full Bloom with Lisa Stockdale, sponsored by HomeCaire of Ohio. We added an "i" to care because we care about the individual. That includes the individual caregiver and the individual client. From each caregiver's caseload to every client's care plan, we understand that individual preferences and priorities matter. People matter; we haven't lost sight of that here at HomeCaire of Ohio. If you or someone you know needs personal care at home, call 419-458-3000 to learn.