by Dr. Deanna Shrodes | Aug 16, 2023 | Loss, Relationships, Writing
Writing about some things can cause you to lose everything or nearly everything. I’ve written a lot, and I’ve lost a lot. I’ve also gained so much more than I’ve lost. But the losses seem to stick in your mind more with anything. So we avoid...
by Dr. Deanna Shrodes | Jul 26, 2023 | Caregiving, Family, Grief, Loss, Relationships
It’s been a year since I brought Gus home to live with me and to take care of him until he took his last breath. On Saturday I went into his room and did my usual brief pause, patted the bed, and slowly walked out, shutting the door. Exhaling, I wondered when I...
by Dr. Deanna Shrodes | Jul 12, 2023 | Grief, Loss, Recovery, Trauma
Not long ago, I was having a talk with my assistant and friend, Judi Cotignola, about trauma, grief, loss and moving forward. We noticed something about the people in our lives who had experienced these tragedies. Some had moved forward and were seeing great things...
by Dr. Deanna Shrodes | Jun 22, 2023 | Family, Loss, Ministry, Recovery, Relationships, Stress, Stress Management
“Cruel people offer pity when they no longer feel threatened. However, kind people offer compassion and understanding regardless.” Shannon L. Alder When my birth father, Gus, passed away in December, I thought to myself, “I just need space to grieve.” Everything had...
by Dr. Deanna Shrodes | May 23, 2023 | Grief, Loss
I am unabashedly a dog mom. I have adult children who are wonderful human beings, but I also have other living beings that I take care of who reside in my house. And they mean the world to me. (By the way, new research suggests that cat and dog ‘moms’ and...
by Dr. Deanna Shrodes | May 17, 2023 | Adoptees, Family, Grief, Loss, Relationships
“There is a sacredness in tears. They are not the mark of weakness, but of power. They speak more eloquently than ten thousand tongues. They are the messengers of overwhelming grief, of deep contrition, and of unspeakable love.” Washington Irving I stare...
