Toni Lepeska
When a Parent Dies
I’m starting the new year with a dollop of gratitude, and I’m starting with you. If you are reading this – and of course, you are – I want you to know I’m thankful. I’m thankful you are here. That you care. That you are one of the brave ones. Grief is scary. Painful. Difficult. …
I remember the disturbing silence of my mother’s electric lungs. The whoosh of the machine that supplied oxygen to her had been quieted. She lay motionless, her eyes closed, the oxygen tubing pushed away. She’d never breathe again. The muffled voices of a hospice nurse and my husband droned in the kitchen. A hush settled …
They told me to find new traditions to survive Christmas with a broken heart. It was on all the lists. As I face the 10th year without a living parent, however, I still haven’t found stability. I still can’t get the Christmases I once had out of my head. I still haven’t found a routine …
Can dead people warn us of impending danger? Do they provide the grown up equivalent of “don’t run with scissors?” That’s a dicey question for a Christian to ask because the Bible tells us that God doesn’t want us to try to communicate with the dead. I hope my fellow believers haven’t already tuned out. …
The Commercial Appeal, my former employer, published an article on Grief Dialogues: The Book and on my contribution to the publication. Raina Hanna did a fabulous job on the story, and I want to thank her. What an odd feeling to be IN the story, rather than on top in the byline. I’m sharing the …
It’s appropriate this week to thank you – to offer gratitude – to you. I’m thankful for reader friends and for those who support my writing in any way. Whether it’s by following my blog or sharing a post, hitting “like” on social media, by showing up at a book signing, or by simply offering …
UPDATE: The book event may be postponed due to inclement weather. Watch my social media sights & the blog Thursday for any changes. UPDATE to the Update: We are on schedule. Please join me starting at 4 p.m. today at Master Jewelers, Olive Branch, Miss. Of course, I was having a bad hair day. Or …
He called to me to get my attention – “Mom” – but I wasn’t sure I’d heard him correctly. I wasn’t his biological mom, but I wanted him to be attached to me in that way. “What?” I asked. He shook his lowered head. “What did you say?” He refused to repeat himself. I then …
Day to Recognize Child Grief Prompts Book Signing He called to me. He wanted my attention. \”Mom,” he said, but I wasn’t sure I’d heard him correctly. I wasn’t his mother, but I wanted him to be attached to me in that way. “What?” I asked. He shook his lowered head. “What did you say?” …
