Wisdom of the Wounded

The fact that you are asking the question is so wonderful. The people who are grieving will be so pleased and touched in their hearts that someone else remembers their ongoing grief and the one who has died.

Now, back to your question: What should one say on the anniversary date of a loved one's death?

There is an old Chinese tale about the woman whose only son died.  In her grief, she went to the Holy man and said, “What prayers, what magical incantations do you have to bring my son back to life?”  Instead of sending her away or reasoning with her, he said to her, “Fetch me a […]

It is a dreary, cloudy, 10 degree in Michigan day!  What should one do with such a grey day?  God says, “Rejoice.”  (Psalm 118:24) Martha Hammond advises: Though it’s cold and wet outside, I awoke this morning in a warm, comfortable home.  “Rejoice.” I was hungry for breakfast (and lunch and dinner).  A blessing, as […]

Do you feel uncomfortable around a homeless person?  I do.  In the following story, Sherri shows us how to care for a homeless person: On the Miami Metro Rail ride home from work one evening, an apparently homeless man was sitting across from me.  He had several teeth missing, was very unkempt and had an […]

When Jim Jameson’s glasses were lost, nobody took the loss very seriously.  After all, Jim was in Hospice care.  Since time was running out on his life, the prevailing attitude was that his glasses weren’t necessary. Earl Howe thought differently.  He hustled around until new glasses were crafted for Jim.  Jim was delighted that he […]

“An Act of Kindness for a Broken Heart”  – Anonymous story shared by Meladee McCarty in Chicken Soup for the Soul “Hi, Mommy, what are you doing?” asked Susie. “I’m making a casserole for Mrs. Smith next door,” said her mother. “Why?”  Asked Susie, who was only six years old. “Because Mrs. Smith is very […]

By Steve Wiens from his blog The Actual Pastor If you are a parent of small children, you know that there are moments of spectacular delight, and you can’t believe you get to be around these little people. But let me be the one who says the following things out loud: You are not a […]

Army Staff Sargent Christopher Walker, age 28, a bomb technician, was wounded in Afghanistan.  He lost both arms and his left leg.  Now, Christopher’s days are filled with what his occupational therapist calls, “the skills of the job of living.” Christopher is learning to walk on an artificial leg and use computerized prosthetic arms, devices that […]

When a friend asks, “How may I help you during this difficult time?”  Do you respond, “Oh thanks, but I am doing just fine.” There are times when we need to be generous receivers of care. Janet recalls a time that she was seeing a counselor when things were tough in her marriage.  She says, “One […]

Affirm your children. Expressing praise may or may not come naturally to you, but it's important. Affirmation from Dad plays a big role in shaping a child's self-confidence and attitude. So here is a checklist which gives you 7 ways to affirm your child.