Blog

Anatomy of a Condolence Text

Anatomy of a Condolence Text

by Kellyn Shoecraft
Helpful facts: My older sister, Alison, died unexpectedly on August 9, 2017. On the morning of August 10th, I sent an email and made a social ...
Death Anniversaries Part II: How We Supported Ourselves

Death Anniversaries Part II: How We Supported Ourselves

by Kellyn Shoecraft
On a whim, I signed up for a grief retreat hosted by Modern Loss. I didn’t think much about it at the time, I just knew that I loved Modern Loss (b...
Grief
Death Anniversaries Part 1: How To Be Supportive

Death Anniversaries Part 1: How To Be Supportive

by Kellyn Shoecraft
The anniversaries of my sister’s (8/9/17) and father’s (2/6/04) deaths are the two most impactful days of my life. It’s customary to check in with ...
Grief experience Grief support
Suicide & Mental Health

Suicide & Mental Health

by Kellyn Shoecraft
Grief is complicated and difficult. To be a family member or friend of someone who lost their life by suicide adds an additional level of complexi...
Suicide Support
Failure to Communicate

Failure to Communicate

by Kellyn Shoecraft
The miscommunication of grief is kind of like this hug between my nephew and my daughter. Good, heartfelt intentions, but an uncomfortable and pain...
What to say
Where to turn for comfort and support

Where to turn for comfort and support

by Kellyn Shoecraft
Updated: October 1, 2018 When you are recently diagnosed or bereaved, people are frantic to help you solve your problem. This is well-intentioned b...
Grief support Support
Anxiety and Illness

Anxiety and Illness

by Kellyn Shoecraft
Earlier this summer I posted on Instagram  that it was my dad’s birthday. I honestly haven’t been thinking a lot about my dad - my head and heart a...
Illness
This time last year

This time last year

by Kellyn Shoecraft
I constantly think about what was happening at this time last year.  There are big moments - like in November I remembered that at that time the y...
Grief experience Sibling loss
Angrief

Angrief

by Kellyn Shoecraft
This is angrief - the unique version of anger that you find in the depths of your grief. I am really angry that my sister died, and sometimes I wi...
Anger Grief experience
My daily thoughts

My daily thoughts

by Kellyn Shoecraft
I posted this series on instagram the other day, but wanted to share it here too. Grief is exhausting, and part of it is due to the enormous amount...
Grief experience Sibling loss
Stop asking, “how are you?”

Stop asking, “how are you?”

by Kellyn Shoecraft
I hate it when someone asks me, “how are you?” Actually, I don’t really mind the question when someone I don’t know asks. I recognize it for what i...
Grief support What to say
Thank you cards and why I don’t write them (anymore)

Thank you cards and why I don’t write them (anymore)

by Kellyn Shoecraft
I come from a long line of fastidious thank you card writers. My grandmother once questioned me about why my husband didn’t write her a thank you c...
Grief support Thank you cards