Story Collection

Coping With Grief

Embracing Strangers

As the driver pulls into the ambulance bay at the hospital, a wave of relief washes over me. Now that we have arrived, I can

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Loss of Child

There Are Angels Among Us

Once upon a time, there was a woman named Maggie Gorishek who—like the children’s book character, Strega Nona—worked in her autumn years, churning and churning,

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Loss of Sibling

The Sister I Miss, The Sister I Love

To my mother, Sandy, this is for you.

You were gone before I could know you, but you are in everything I am. You left behind three daughters by the time you were 30—Allyson, Andrea, and me. We grew up without you, but never without the love you gave us.

I’m sorry. Please forgive me. Thank you. I love you.

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Loss of Pet

Christopher’s Gifts

I sat early one spring morning with my love’s head resting on my lap and his big trusting eyes looking into mine. For a clue. For a sign. For help. He seem to dissociate from what was going on with the rest of his body. It was just him and me there. In ICU. The beeps, the buzzers, the voices fading into a monotony of noise. He to me and me to him. I stroking his head, caressing his body, his magnificent body. His eyes boring into my heart and many on lookers, despite the early hour, watching the moment that was the two of us.

Do I have the strength?

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Coping With Grief

Two Hawks, Two Yolks

“Now what?” I asked the Chihuahua that twitched at my feet, wrapped around my ankle. “I need to get some work done, and I’m distracted

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Coping With Grief

Tiger Lilies

I never thought much of them. To me, they were just some tall and ugly wildflowers in my least favourite colour. Orange. But my father

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Coping With Grief

Stages

It cowers in the corner, newly born. I turn my spite-soaked back, riddled with resentment and pull the thin veil to sink beneath its cover.

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Loss of Spouse

Folding the Sheets

When I fold them, I see you my devoted launderer, how you washed and dried and folded for decades in our small attic laundry, where

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