A New Look for the Grief, Loss & Transitions Blog

With all of the new changes being made to Blogger and new templates and template designer now available, it seemed time to update the Grief, Loss & Transitions Blog.

One of my favorite things to do into adulthood and to share with my girls now is making wishes on 'Wish Wands' as we call Dandelions.

The Dandelion image from cmisje seemed to be a good one to use to update the blog.

My wish for those grieving who find this blog, is that they find strength to help them cope with challenging times.

Poems for Healing: The Messenger

The Messenger was written many years ago to provide a bit of solace and soothing words for a family friend and patient, both of whom had recently lost their spouses.

I decided to share the healing poem, The Messenger since it has been used as a remembrance poem by so many people in newpapers, brochures, online and at funeral services.

The Messenger

From an Angel on high
a tender message of love was softly whispered into the ear
of this humble scribe....

Weep not for me
now that I have passed.
Remember the laughter, the affection
and the joy
not just the recent tears.
Cherish the memories,
our hopes and dreams.
Hold fast to the love that we shared.
Be happy with the time we spent together
and being anew.
For I am not really gone,
I am closer than ever before.

As the morning sun rises
and throughout the busy day...I am with you.
Until the setting sun disappears on the horizon
and we watch the day turn into night...I am here.
You may feel a faint breeze stir round your head, while you slumber
as I gently kiss your forehead, "Good night."
The stars that shine so brightly in my heavenly sky
help me watch over you and keep you from harm.

I am the wind in the trees
and the song of a bird.
I am moonbeams in a midnight sky
and a glorious rainbow after the storm.
I am morning dew
and freshly-fallen snow.
I am a butterfly flying overhead
and a puppy happily at play.
I am a smile on a stranger's face
a gentle touch
a warm embrace.

Listen to the wind for my message of love.
Watch the sun rise and set in the sky with me.
Feel my essence encircle you with warm memories.
Open your heart to know...I am not gone.
Reach deep into your soul...You will find me.
I am here.
Have no fear.
I am with you,
Always.

© 1998 Kirsti A. Dyer
(Angel scribe)

More about Journey of Hearts Poetry
I am always a bit surprised when I go searching for some of the healing poems that I wrote and included in the early days of the Journey of Hearts site.

My poems (The Messenger and In Memory of You) show up on many spontaneous bereavement sites from those whose deaths were not major news events to those whose deaths were major news events like 9-11, Laci Patterson and Michael Jackson. Unfortunately the poems are often unattributed to "Anonymous" and do not include a reference to the Journey of Hearts website.

The poem seems to have sprouted wings and flies around the Internet spreading healing words. By reposting a newer version of The Messenger online, I am hopeful that people will find the version of The Messenger and correctly link to the blog or the Journey of Hearts site.

More on Poetry on the Grief, Loss & Transitions Blog
Dyer K. Words to Comfort - In Memory of You July 2007. Grief, Loss & Bereavement Blog.
Dyer K. Poetry - To Help You Make it Through. August 2007. Grief, Loss & Bereavement Blog.

Image: Asafesh. Ink Pot. Royalty Free Use.

Remembering on the 8th Anniversary of September 11, 2001

This year marks the 8th Anniversary of September 11, 2001. For some losses, such as this type of tragic loss, the grief remains. A quote from Senator Ted Kennedy written to a widow of 9/11, that was heard at his recent funeral, captures the nature of coping with tragic loss:

As you know so well, the passage of time never really heals the tragic memory of such a great loss, but we carry on, because we have to, because our loved one would want us to, and because there is still light to guide us in the world from the love they gave us.

Now 8 years later, we stop to remember those who died, in different ways around the country. This video clip from WPRI.com News shows some of the many ways that September 11th is being remembered in the United States and around the world.




From WPRI.com" With familiar rituals of grief and a new purpose to honor those who rushed into danger to help, the nation marked eight years since the Sept. 11 terror attacks Friday, with volunteers reading the names of the World Trade Center lost.

- Remembering 9/11 -

Ways of Remembering
If you can't make it to New York to celebrate, there are other ways that you can remember and honor the memory of those lost online:

• Wear Red on 9-11 - A grass roots effort to encouraging people to wear read on September 11 to show your support to those who lost their lives in the terrorist attacks of 2001. People on Twitter and Facebook can also participate in special ways.

• 911 Day of Service- My Good Deed has been working since 2002 to get September 11 established as a National Day of Service, to honor the victims and those who rose to service in response to the attacks on America. This is the first official year of celebrating 911 as a day of service.

For more suggestions and ways of coping, you can read the blog post that from last year on What is an Anniversary Response or Anniversary Reaction?

More Resources
Dyer KA. 2009. Coping with Grief on the Anniversary of September 11, 2001. Coping with Grief Group. The Circle.
Dyer KA. 2008. What is an Anniversary Response or Anniversary Reaction? Grief, Loss & Transitions Blog.
Dyer KA. 2007. Anniversary Reaction - When Remembering Isn't Always a Happy Occasion. Squidoo.com

Image: Roderick Yang. Ground Zero. Royalty Free Use.

Water Blessing Labels a Way to Help with Healing and Coping

I discovered the Spirit of Water website in 2007 and immediately was drawn to the concept of these Water Blessing Labels. I have always been inspired by words and quotes. These Blessing Labels provided an easy way to help focus one's intention on health and healing, by putting labels on things that you use or that you see from water bottles to mirrors or windows.

The labels serve as a reminder of what you want to be focusing upon whether "health," "healing," "miracles," "faith," "courage," "energy" or many other words and symbols. As a physician their motto resonate with me:

Transform your water into Liquid Prayers.

What are Water Blessing Labels?
Water Blessing Labels are reusable static cling blessing labels allow you to using words as a simple way to enhance healing especially in the hospital setting and turn water or medicine being given to a patient into a liquid blessing. They can also be used to create liquid blessings for family members with words such as "guidance," "acceptance," "courage" and "faith."

Blessing Patients with "Liquid Prayers"
The imagery of "Liquid Prayers" or "Liquid Blessings" was one that really resonated. The labels were a way to enhance the healing process, especially for patients who believe in the power of intention. An example from the website really hit home for me:

After you shared the idea of putting healing labels on I.V. bags for chemo therapy, I took the ones I had bought for myself and got permission to use them on the I.V. bags of some of my patients in hospice care. I usually use "love" but sometimes I ask the patient what they want to use. Some use other words from the set.

I think it has made all the difference in the morale of those who undergo their treatments. I can see the amazing difference in their attitudes.

Thanks for that brilliant contribution.

Bonnie M., Ames, IA

It didn't take much for me to make the leap about how we might have used Water Blessing Labels when my youngest was in the NICU, to bless her fluids and to help us focus and stay positive by scattering inspiring, motivational messages all around. One of the things that was so frustrating as a NICU parent was the feeling that there wasn't much you could do. Using water blessing labels was a way to do something and also to focus positive thoughts on healing.

You can find out more about the Water Blessing Labels and other products at their website, The Spirit of Water.

More about the Water Blessing Labels:

Dyer KA. 2009. Spirit of Water - Love is in the NICU. NICU Parent Support Blog.
Dyer KA. 2007. Water Blessing LabelsTurn Water (or Medicine) into Liquid Prayers. NICU Parent Support Blog.
Dyer KA. 2008. Water Blessing Labels. Squidoo.com

Image Source: The Spirit of Water Website.