by Gary Roe | Abuse Recovery, Anger management, Anxiety, Communication, Courageous Living, Death and dying, Depression, divorce recovery, Emotional pain, Faith, Forgiveness, Grief and Loss, Grief recovery, Guilt, Healing, Healing from the past, Healing from trauma, Hospice stories, Peace, Regret, Relationships, Stress Management, Suffering and Pain, Trauma recovery, Worry
In grief, we sometimes carry extra baggage we’re unaware of. Wounds from the past can exert their influence and complicate the present. Grief is tough enough, without this extra weight. A mountain of regret Years ago, I had a serious conversation with a...
by Gary Roe | Death and dying, Emotional pain, Grief and Loss, Grief recovery, Healing from the past, Holiday grief, Loss of a Child, Relationships
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...
by Gary Roe | Abuse Recovery, Courageous Living, Death and dying, divorce recovery, Faith, Grief and Loss, Grief recovery, Healing, Healing from the past, Healing from trauma, Relationships, Suffering and Pain, Trauma recovery
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...
by Gary Roe | Courageous Living, Death and dying, Grief and Loss, Grief recovery, Healing, Healing from the past, Holiday grief, Loneliness, Relationships
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...
by Gary Roe | Death and dying, Decision-making, Depression, Grief and Loss, Grief recovery, Holiday grief, Loneliness, Relationships, Stress Management
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...
by Gary Roe | Courageous Living, Death and dying, Decision-making, Depression, divorce recovery, Emotional pain, Grief and Loss, Grief recovery, Healing, Healing from trauma, Holiday grief, Loneliness, Love, Peace, Relationships, Stress Management, Suffering and Pain, Trauma recovery
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...