Category: Grief

  • I Am A Poppy And I Am Not OK

    Time for me to fess up.  I have recently been diagnosed with a malady that is becoming increasingly common among people my age. During this pandemic, there is more than one virus with which to be concerned.  Apparently, I have been infected by it. It’s called Grand-Sep-A-20 or GSA-20 for short. A few weeks ago,…

  • Tears of Grace

    It was the day after Christmas 2019, and the last place I wanted to go was the local Mall and face the crowds of people returning unwanted gifts.  Yet here in a crowded suburban mall, it was I who received an unexpected gift…one wrapped in tears of grace. Even as I type this, my emotions…

  • The Great Musician’s Birthday

    The Great Musician’s Birthday

    Grief shouts the loudest during holidays.  Following the loss of a loved one, those left behind must navigate a minefield of emotions during those first holidays without their beloved.  And who wants to talk about such a gloomy subject at a time like Christmas?   For most of my adult life, grief was never an…

  • Shouldn’t Love Come with a Warning Label?

    Love should come with a warning label just like everything else does these days. Except it should be in bold print and italicized in red ink. Reading the warning labels on many consumer products in these litigious times can be a source of humor. Maybe out of an abundance of caution, or just because they…

  • The Tale of Three Wedding Rings

    The Tale of Three Wedding Rings

    The wedding ring has long symbolized endless, eternal love.  A circle, with no beginning or end, is said to symbolize infinity. A gold wedding band first adorned the fourth finger of my left hand on September 2, 1972.  I planned to wear it forever. Now, three wedding rings later, I have a story to share…

  • The Memory Blogger

    The Memory Blogger

    Another milestone passed!  This post represents my 100th blog post on TheBuddyBlog.com website. No one is more surprised than I am.  To celebrate this you-gotta-be-kidding-me event, I thought I’d share my thoughts and reflections on how I came to be a blogger. It might surprise you. After all, I never thought I’d spend any time…

  • Resume Virtues vs. Eulogy Virtues

    Resume Virtues vs. Eulogy Virtues

    This past week, my family held a reunion at Jekyll Island.  My children, spouses, and grandchildren — all twenty of us —  came together for five fun-filled days on this Georgia Gem of a barrier island.  We had a blast. Following our clan’s visit to Driftwood Beach, my wife and I snuck away for a…

  • A Rendezvous with Rosa

    A Rendezvous with Rosa

    We arrived on time for our divine appointment — we just didn’t realize we had one. My wife and I decided to spend a few days in St. Augustine, Florida, touring the historical sites, exploring the eclectic shops and boutiques, and sampling the local cuisine. An arts festival was in full bloom and artists were…

  • Gratitude:  Cause or Effect?

    Gratitude: Cause or Effect?

    Reading a recent Facebook post of a cousin prompted me to ponder the virtue of gratitude.  Is it a cause or an effect?  My cousin was grateful for surviving a narrow escape from death after a frightening encounter with an errant dump truck.  Gratitude was most definitely the result of her near-miss death experience. Her…

  • Grace for the Grieving  –  What to Say at a Funeral Home and a Few Things Not to

    Grace for the Grieving – What to Say at a Funeral Home and a Few Things Not to

    Let’s take a vote. A show of hands please of how many people look forward to visiting a funeral home? Nobody? Thought so. You are not alone. Visiting a funeral home ranks right up there with root canals and eating fruitcake. Face it. You never know what to say. You are not sure how long…