What Is Lonnie's Room?

There is a room in our home to which I navigate more frequently than the others. It makes me feel secure, it is cozy, and it is quiet. From the peak of the room, there is a large rusty metal angel suspended by a very thin wire. It would apear as if the angel is hovering over me, protecting, and always present. The lighting in the room creates a virtual display of dancing shadows around the angel.

Every evening when I am in "MY ROOM", I think of what Luciano de Crescenzo once said, "We are all like one-winged angels. it is only when we help each other that we can fly."

Wednesday, December 30, 2009

New Year Happiness

My guardian angel greets me today in my room and I am thankful for the peaceful surroundings at the end of a very cold, snowy, and hectic day.    My reflection today is in reference to happiness and the new year.  We all have such high expectations for a new year,  don't we?  When we are grieving, however, our expectations are just to survive!  I understand...... I have been there, just as millions of other people in the world.  Because I have experienced this same pain and have survived, I am going to give you some things to think about.
         - What did you do today and how did it make you feel?
         - Think of a day you felt really good... what did you do that day?
         -  What areas of your life make your life?
         -  Write down all your blessings
         -  Focus on strengths which can facilitate moving forward

It is an excercise which helps us focus on our positives rather than our negatives. I often wish I had the magic wand to make everyone feel better, but all I can give you is the recipe to moving forward through our grief:
        -  Relationships:  Love those around you as they are your support system
        -  Practice positive attitude:
        -  Have goals for the new year and values that matter and are important to you
        -  Exercise
        -  Do something for someone in need of your experience
        -  Learn a lesson as you go
        -  Read my January Newsletter which will be posted next week on http://www.iroquoismemorial.com/
        -  Participate in the blog!

In closing today, it is my hope that each of you who are grieving will find some joy in ringing in the new year. 

Friday, December 25, 2009

Christmas Blessings

As I relax this evening in "my room", I reflect on this day's events with great joy and peace. I have been so blessed with a loving and caring family, and we are thankful for their presence in our lives. Our holiday was wonderful as we were all together. For some of you, however, this day might not have been so joyous. The ambulance was called this morning for a person in our area who was unresponsive. My thoughts immediately went to the family who was living the nightmare of losing someone they love on this very special Christmas Day. Our prayers are with that family, as well as any of you who are struggling with a loss. The day is almost over and you have made it! We soon will move on to another day in our lives. What are your goals for the "new day"?

Friday, December 18, 2009

Holiday Season

As I sit in my "room" this morning recuperating from oral surgery, my thoughts travel to my clients who are having such a difficult time coping with this holiday season. I ask my guardian angel, " What advice can I give that people haven't already been told or read in books." Probably one of the best things is to memorialize your loved one during your celebration. Light a candle for him/her, keep a fresh flower on your table, or set out your favorite picture together. I think one of the most healing activities for us was to sit around the table and tell a story about dad that no one else knew about. Oh yes.... we would laugh and we would cry, but it was healing. Sometimes it is just doing some little nice thing for someone else. This morning as I worked on my blog, I received a little bouquet of flowers from one of my cowokers which lifted my spirits. All of a sudden, I felt a whole lot better. Thank you to those who do little thoughtful things.



Now... I am going to refer you to the December 09 Bereavement Newsletter which I write for my employer. Click on Iroquois Memorial Hospital link and at the bottom of the page is the link to the newsletter. The newsletter will provide you with further hints on handling the holidays.

Tuesday, December 15, 2009

Welcome to my "Room"

This "room" is for those grieving a loss of any kind. I chose to share my "room" with anyone seeking a quiet place, a place where there is no judgement, a place one can feel secure, and information obtained about the grieving process. Thanks for visiting and come back often.