death, grieving, and other sh#t we don't talk about

Let me be perfectly clear, widowhood as a whole is quite simply like being waterboarded with gasoline on a regular basis, but filing taxes as a widow is just another circle of hell… at least for me.

The term “Solo Parent” means that you have 100% sole responsibility for every aspect of your family unit. There is no support simply because, your spouse is deceased. Guest Author J. Lewis III gives insight into his experience with parenting after loss.

Grief is a complex and deeply personal experience, often accompanied by a range of emotions and challenges. While many are familiar with the primary loss—the initial event or death that triggers the grieving process—there's another aspect of grief that is equally important yet often overlooked: secondary loss.

In honor of Valentine’s day, I’m spreading the love by featuring a special blog written by my friend, colleague, and podcast co-host, J. Lewis III. He shares with us some beautiful insights on the ways we can honor our loved ones. Read on!

grief is commonly associated with loss and sadness, but it can be profoundly positive as it requires an evolution of self. There is transformative potential to be explored, as the deep relationship between embracing grief and self-fulfillment can lead to personal growth, resilience, and ultimately, fulfillment.

Dealing with the end of life can be difficult, You’re processing the inevitability of your loved one’s death and trying to learn on the fly all the things you’ll need to manage now that the end is in sight. How do you decide which supports to use? what’s available to you? When can you access end of life care? and did you know that something called a “Death Doula” exists? Many think that the only option is Hospice, but let’s take a closer look at what a Death Doula is, and how it differs from Hospice.

Estate planning is like creating a roadmap for your belongings after you're no longer around. It involves making decisions about how you want your assets to be handled and distributed, ensuring your loved ones are taken care of according to your wishes….

Trust me, you're going to want to read this…..

What is a Trust? Well, in terms of Estate planning and Probate, a Trust is a legal way of designating ownership over funds & assets. It is best described by Fidelity as a "fiduciary arrangement that allows third parties or trustees to hold assets on behalf of beneficiaries". Still confused? I don't blame you, let's dig a little deeper…..

Many people know what a Will is, or at least they think they do, but what they don’t know is the other legal pieces that operate in tandem with a Will. It’s called an “Estate Plan” and it can be quite complex. In this 3 part series, we will break down each piece and talk about some tips to make the process as seamless as possible.

I had the unique and incredible opportunity to speak with 5 individuals about their dad and the impact these men had on their lives. While all of the people I spoke to had varying relationships with their fathers, each of them conveyed a fondness and reverence for the values that these men instilled into them. I asked each of them how their fathers shaped who they are as adults, as parents, and as humans, looking to see where the ripples would potentially fall for my own children.

I’ll be completely honest… I have no idea how to start this. So I’ll start it the same way I started every other hurdle I encountered along this grief journey, I just start.

All right recruits! This is it, the stuff you’ve been waiting for! Well, sort of. I mean, you don’t just run right into war without doing a few push-ups first, right? So for this lesson, we’re going to look at things you could do to put yourself in a better place for when you have to get shit done.

Like a clap of thunder that shakes the house windows… or the deafening BANG from a firework at a decibel you didn’t anticipate, The words “Time of death…” will ring painfully in your ears for a very long time.

You’ve selected a location, picked the music, decided on an officiant, and planned reception details…. It sounds almost like we’re planning a wedding, right? Close, we’re planning a funeral.

You know how when you’re making pancakes, the first one is always a little wonky? It’s not necessarily bad, sometimes you burn it, or it’s misshapen…. but usually it’s a learning curve to get it just right. Dating after experiencing the loss of a spouse is a lot like making pancakes. There is usually a mess to clean up, some get fed to the dog, but most likely, you’ll end up with something delicious and a growing confidence each time you do it. So how do you know if you’re ready to put yourself out there? Read more to find out!

 As we’re racing the imposed clock that is set when someone dies, we are forced to figure out financial stability. how do you know what is safe to spend? What money do you have access to?  And how do you protect your future financially? Read on to find out

For many, organized religion becomes a support during difficult times. It provides the feeling of being wrapped in a warm hug and we take solace in knowing our faith will guide us. Some  people even find religion for the first time after experiencing a tragedy. When feeling lost, there can be comfort in knowing  all of our trust is in God. For others, like myself, religion and “God” left us a long time ago and we feel an emptiness when someone offers the platitudes of faith during our struggles.