Blog Archive
The Holidays: Fun new traditions to start this year
With the holidays here, you may find yourself happily anticipating the fun holiday traditions you have enjoyed with your friends and family year after year: Aunt Dorothy’s pecan pie, family Christmas carols around the tree or the special toast your best friends make every New Year’s Eve. Sometimes, however, those same holiday traditions can be […]
Read MoreAn Empty Seat at the Table: How to face the holidays after a loved one’s death
The holidays are a magical time. Getting together with family and friends, sharing home-cooked meals, and revisiting timeless traditions can make the season especially exhilarating for young and old alike. But the holidays can also be difficult if you have recently lost a loved one. Memories of special times you have shared together can be […]
Read MoreThe Importance of Updating Your Will
Contemplating the end of one’s own life is never easy, and going through the process once is difficult enough. Unfortunately, important estate planning documents such as wills and trusts are the exact type of documents that must be kept up to date. Too often people spend a lot of time, energy, and money to establish […]
Read MoreTips on Returning to Work After the Loss of a Loved One
When a loved one dies, it may seem as if time stops. Eventually, however, it is important to ease back into your old routines. Household chores can only be left for so long, kids need to go back to school, and adults must return to work. For some, this may be a welcome distraction from […]
Read MoreAppropriate Rules for Social Media Condolences
When someone dies — whether suddenly or after a prolonged illness, via natural or unnatural causes, there is one universal truth — the ripples of people who are affected reach far and wide. A death is always painful, it carries an emotional weight that effects everyone differently. When we feel the distant ripples of a death in our community, […]
Read MoreHow to Handle the Anniversary of a Death
Few people are mentally prepared to say goodbye to their loved one when the time comes. Often, death is sudden and unexpected. But even when you have had time to prepare yourself and come to terms with a death before it occurs, you will never feel particularly celebratory when the anniversary of the death draws […]
Read MoreA GUIDE TO AMERICAN FLAG ETIQUETTE AND TRADITIONS
Written by Sarah Loghry. Courtesy of Homesteaders Life Company. Not only does each star stand for a state and each stripe stand for one of the 13 original colonies, but the colors are also symbolic. Red symbolizes hardiness and valor, white stands for purity and innocence and blue represents vigilance, perseverance and justice. As Flag […]
Read MoreEver Wondered What Goes in to a State Funeral?
State funerals are public funerals held in honor of those who have served our country. They only occur when the family of the deceased has agreed to the honor and are comfortable including the public in commemorating the accomplishments of their loved one. In the U.S., state funerals are also held for president elects, sitting […]
Read MoreCelebrating Mother’s Day Without Your Mom
It’s hard to think about someone who has more influence on our life than our mothers. Mother’s Day is a time to remember how much your mother means to you, but if she is no longer with you, the second Sunday in May tends to be difficult. Even if she has been gone for a […]
Read MoreHow a Painting of a Funeral Shaped the History of Art
The 19th century gave way to some of the most important artistic movements in history and gifted us with some of the most recognizable names in art: Monet, Degas, Cezanne, and Van Gogh. A name that might be less familiar to you and others is Gustave Courbet. His famous painting titled, “A Burial at Ornans” […]
Read MoreSpring Cleaning: Make Donation your New Tradition
It may not quite be time yet to open your windows and let that fresh air in, but it’s never too early to start thinking about that annual Spring cleaning. This year, why not give back to your community while you’re at it? Most everyone loves an opportunity to de-clutter and simplify their life […]
Read MoreHow Keeping a ‘Gratitude Journal’ Makes for a Happier Life
Whether a loved one has died recently, or you are still healing from a loss that occurred years ago, you know sometimes it is hard to find happiness when dealing with grief. You’ve always been told to “count your blessings,” but that can seem impossible when you’re overcome with negative emotions. Although it may be […]
Read MoreThe Most Awe-inspiring Memorial Sites to Visit in the U.S.
It’s that time of the year when cabin fever can really start to get you down. Why not plan a trip and throw some of our country’s most historical sites into the mix? You might consider some of these beautiful and powerful memorial sites throughout our country when deciding where to travel next: Martin […]
Read MoreFamily Friction and the Holidays
If you believe the movies, the holidays are supposed to be a magical time filled with snowflakes, love, and family togetherness. Unfortunately, that’s not the reality for many. Family dynamics can be complicated, and when you get the whole brood together sparks can fly. For families with definite dysfunction or tension, the dinner table can […]
Read MoreHow to Stay Healthy as the Temperatures Drop
There’s a certain charm to Fall and Winter, isn’t there? But despite its allure, as swimsuits, sun block, and cookouts give way to sweaters, crackling fires, and cups of cocoa, you might find yourself more prone to getting sick. Why is this? We know the cold air itself doesn’t make us ill, even though […]
Read MoreMending relationships: Reconciling with a Dying Loved One
Taking steps towards healing a fractured relationship is difficult on even the best days. When someone is terminally ill, the situation can become even more emotionally-charged, as complex feelings enter the equation. Suddenly, there can be a sense of urgency to the desire to make things right. But just because someone is facing the end of […]
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