From Lisa K. Cooper
A summer of transitions, transformations, and graduations has been a certainty for many of us in our current world of uncertainties! Whether your transition has been at work, as you’ve adjusted to virtual meetings throughout the day, or in your personal life, as you’ve stayed home and physically distanced yourself from others, it’s been a season of change to say the […]
Happy Mother’s Day 2020…curbside carryout, physical distancing, and Zoom calls with relatives! What a change in our lives over a few short months. Despite the distancing, my hope for each of you is to find a way to honor yourself, as you honor your mother, whether she has passed away or still with you in […]
September 22 Anniversary While today represents the anniversary of my father’s death, I choose to remember not how he died, but how he lived and continues to support me and my family after his death. As many of you who’ve attended my workshops and read my social media posts understand, when we continue to open […]
If my mother were alive today on Mother’s Day, I wouldn’t call her until after 10 a.m. so she could sleep in. We wouldn’t make any big plans, worry about the perfect present, or plan any fancy events. Her only Mother’s Day wish would be to BE. Be present, share stories, and spend time with […]
Today, April 17, marks my mother’s birthday. If alive, she would be turning 86 and most likely we’d be celebrating over lunch outside, walking on her favorite path, and enjoying dinner with our family. Be-ing vs. Do-ing Instead, I’ll choose to honor her today by simply expressing gratitude for the life lessons she shared regarding […]
Anniversaries, birthdays, and life’s many other milestones, remind us of our loved ones. While we cherish the laughter and joy around past celebrations, there’s often a bit of melancholy in the memories. March 6, 1954 Today marks my parents’ wedding anniversary. If alive, they would be celebrating 65 years of marriage! Growing up, my family […]
I recently had the opportunity to speak on a panel about “Transforming Loss: Finding Potential for Growth” as part of the Hospice Foundation of America’s Annual Living with Grief Program. The subject matter was especially close to my heart, since in my work with grievers we talk about how the passing of a loved one often triggers the search for more […]
I’m a little over two weeks out from total hip replacement surgery. The combination of time, miles of running, and most likely genetic arthritis created the perfect storm for a damaged hip. While there’s never a perfect time for any time-out on life, I figured the week between Christmas and New Years was about as […]
“Ask and you shall receive” was a passage my mother shared with me after her death. While it’s a Bible verse that many of us have grown up hearing, it can also help us connect with our loved ones. Shortly after my mother’s passing, she shared with me in a dream that our love never […]
In the Spring of 2017 I was asked to speak at a local Faith & Grief Gathering. My talk could not exceed five minutes, and the objective was to share a very short version of my personal grief journey, and how that journey intersected with my faith. I thought you might enjoy “reading” my short […]