If you've experienced a difficult loss this year or in recent years--a death in the family, an illness, a divorce, a job loss, a natural disaster or a combination of losses--you may find the holidays retrigger your feelings of loss.

In fact, you may be surprised by the depth of your emotions, the clarity of your memories, the details you recall, and how quickly you are taken back to your original loss. The flashes may happen so rapidly that they catch you off guard.

Our Yellow Labrador Retriever was Family, in every sense of the word. In fact, she was BETTER than family in many ways.
She never asked for money, or the car keys, or told boring stories at family reunions. She never complained about her latest aches and pains or gossiped about family who WASN'T there.
No, Honey was, without doubt, the friendliest pet and Best Friend on the planet - although I'm sure others would lay claim to that title as well. Full-body hugs were her specialty, and a cartoon-like grin that stretched (literally) from ear-to-ear. She was, in a word, special.

Do you need to find someone who will try to understand what you are feeling? Historically, our culture has taught us to keep our feelings under guard and the expression of grief is often considered a sign of weakness. Add to this the fact that the emotions most commonly associated with grieving--anger, guilt, and depression--have the tendency to isolate and keep people at a distance. All of this converges at a time when one of the most valuable coping techniques, a trusted companion (or companions) who will be there with you, is needed.

Adversity is an ugly, uncontrollable thing which each and every single person experiences at least once within their lifetime. It can come in a number of different ways and it can feel like you are never going to overcome it. However you can overcome it; you just have to recognize it and accept it for what it is.

How is Adversity Affecting You?

Death is such a difficult experience for almost everyone. When someone you love passes away it can be a struggle to focus on anything but your grief. If you happen to be one of the people responsible for the memorial service or funeral, you are going to have to give some important thought to a funeral flower arrangement.

Planning the funeral of a loved one can be one of the most difficult things you encounter in this lifetime. The level of emotion and grief in conjunction with the enormous details upon which to be decided can result in even greater turmoil. But, unfortunately, no matter how we're feeling, there are certain arrangements that we must make including funeral burial services. In this case, it is essential to work with a reputable funeral home that will compassionately walk you through the process of making final arrangements.

On your journey, you may feel that you are constantly searching for enlightenment and truth. You may be looking for proof that you are on the right path or signs that you are living in a truthful and compassionate way.

You will feel doubts and fear. Despair at never seeming to reach your goals or achieve the level of love and compassion you know you could be capable of.

Sit for a while. Take time out.

February 23, 2007 Michael B. Stark

Benjamin Franklin once said, "In this world, nothing is certain but death and taxes. At least now, thanks to the internet, death doesn't have to be as expensive.

According to AARP, the average funeral in the United States can easily reach $10,000 once a burial plot, flowers and other costs are included.