Tag Archives: Grief Loss and Bereavement

The Fantastical Photography of Kirsty Mitchell: A Tribute to Her Mother

How the photographer memorialized her mother by creating a world of fairy tales inspired by her childhood

Kirsty Mitchell has been working on a project four years in the making, where she photographs fantastical, wildly radiant scenes of fairy-tail women in elaborate costumes. These story-book images are a tribute to the artist’s mother, who died in November … Continue reading

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Filipino Funeral Customs

Paying homage to the dead in the Philippines

A mix of Christian values and indigenous beliefs, Filipino funeral customs represent a unique blend of ancient and contemporary traditions. In times both past and present, Filipino culture has valued a specific set of funeral customs to ensure peaceful transitions … Continue reading

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Book Review: “Closer Than You Think” by Deborah Heneghan Discusses After-Death Communication

Revealing true stories and techniques for connecting with loved ones on the other side

Have you ever wondered if there was a way to connect with a loved one who passed away? Better yet, have you ever experienced communication with a deceased loved one? If so, then you’re not alone. In Closer Than You … Continue reading

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 A Unique San Francisco Support Group for Children’s Grief “Josie’s Place”

Announces an evening benefitting grieving children and families entitled "Hope Springs"

More than a year ago I became aware of Josie’s Place, a San Francisco Bay Area support group for children and teens who have lost a loved one. The founder, Patricia Murphy, lost her own mother when she was a … Continue reading

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What is Kara Grief Support? An Interview with Jim Mulvaney

How peer counselors use their own experiences to support those in the journey through grief

Jim Mulvaney became a Counselor Supervisor at Kara after initially volunteering as a grief counselor. Since he joined Kara’s staff in the fall of 2004, Jim has held the positions of Director of Adult Services, Director of Programs, and Director … Continue reading

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“Another Weeping Woman” by Wallace Stevens

Earnest advice for grieving, moving on and cherishing a loved one’s memory

In “Another Weeping Woman,” by Wallace Stevens, we are given earnest advice to move on and let go. While we at SevenPonds suggest you take your time with the grieving process and give you emotions as much attention as they … Continue reading

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Book Review: The Namesake, by Jhumpa Lahiri

Sensitive, honest portrayal of loss in the story of the Ganguli family

The family saga is a tried-and-true literary genre, one that usually follows a central clan as they grow, marry, have children, age and eventually die. There’s a certain rhythm to these types of stories — unlike so many other novels, … Continue reading

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Film Review: My Girl (1991)

"When your dad's an undertaker, your mom's in heaven, and your grandma's got a screw loose... it's good to have a friend who understands you."

After a more-than-twenty-year hiatus, I put on the movie My Girl this week, and I wasn’t prepared for how moved I would be by the end. My memories of the clips I’ve seen throughout my life promised a cheesy film about a … Continue reading

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“You don’t know who is important to you until you actually lose them.”

--Mahatma Gandhi

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Coming Soon: The Afterlife of Billy Fingers by Annie Kagan

A sneak preview of the book and the afterlife

Years ago, I went to a past life regression therapy session with Dr. Peter Wright, an experienced hypnotherapist. I don’t tell many people this story for a couple of reasons. For one, most people I know aren’t entirely comfortable with … Continue reading

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Mourning and Transformation — Sifting for Gold

A mourning father tries to make sense of his experience through an academic analysis of grief.

The following is an analysis by Jimmy Edmonds of a recent thesis “Mourning and Transformation — Sifting for Gold” by Fiona Rodman (MA University of Middlesex), a psychotherapist, and a dear family friend. Jimmy interprets some of Fiona’s ideas as they … Continue reading

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How Did SevenPonds Come to Be?

We revisit our beginning

It’s been two years at SevenPonds since we launched our first blog post and it’s hard to believe we have arrived at our second anniversary already! What a wild ride it has been. I cannot begin to express how heartwarming … Continue reading

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Coping with Grief on Valentine’s Day

How to honor your loved one and care for yourself on this holiday for lovers

Holidays can be some of the toughest times to cope with grief. Valentine’s Day in particular, already perpetuating a feeling of loneliness in anyone who doesn’t have a significant other to celebrate with, can shine a spotlight on the loss … Continue reading

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Giving Permission to Die

Discovering the importance of letting go even before a loved one has passed

You might remember a couple months ago when we first talked about the chakras and the cleansing process that facilitates a more peaceful death.  The basic idea behind the practice is to rid oneself of all negativity in a holistic, … Continue reading

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The Conversation Project Helps You Give the Ultimate Gift This Holiday Season

Download this free tool to help you talk to loved ones and make better end of life decisions

The Conversation Project has launched a timeless and invaluable gift to share with your loved ones this holiday season. “The Gift” is a tool designed to help families have a conversation about death and dying by sharing what matters most … Continue reading

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Art by Grieving Children

The Rays of Hope center uses art to help children grieving after the loss of a loved one

The Rays of Hope Children’s Grief Centre in Texas helps children grieving after the loss of a loved one, experiencing divorce, or coping with an incarcerated parent. The counselors at the Rays of Hope are aware that sometimes these traumas … Continue reading

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What is degriefing? An Interview with Lyn Prashant

The degriefing specialist focuses on healing not only the mind but the body during times of loss.

Dr. Lyn Prashant is a certified grief counselor with over 24 years’ experience in the field. Her training in bereavement counseling and her knowledge of somatic health care practices (she is a certified yoga instructor, massage therapist and physical education … Continue reading

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Book Review: Healing After Loss, by Martha W. Hickman

Sorting your way through grief a little at a time, day by day

As we approach the holidays, it can be both a joyful and a sorrowful time for those who have lost loved ones.  For a season that cherishes time spent with friends and family, it can be also be a harsh … Continue reading

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Taking a Look at the Traditional Irish Wake

How the beginnings of one tradition led to another

Many might be surprised to learn that evidence exists linking the traditional Irish wake, rooted in Catholic practices, to an ancient Jewish tradition, in which mourners left the burial chamber of a recently departed loved one open for three days … Continue reading

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Erwin Olaf: Grief

Stylish fine art photography images give new expression to grief, loss, and longing

Erwin Olaf: Grief Photographer and filmmaker Erwin Olaf is known in the art world for his flawless style, a combination of art, fashion, and care that portrays the deepest emotions with the simplest images. In his 2007 collection, Grief, Olaf … Continue reading

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