Personal Essays

What a Pandemic Funeral Taught Me About Family

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I spent years distancing myself from relatives. When my uncle died, I found something that had been deeply missing in my quarantined life.

Letters From My Dead Mom in Animal Crossing

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We never meet the video game's Mom character, so my mind fills in the blanks with the face of my own.

Settling Into the Unknown

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A year after the death of my son and stepmom, I found new understanding while selecting a memorial tree.

He Blinded Me With Zients

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My family came to America to escape conscription in the Czar’s army. Today, my cousin, the Covid Czar, is trying to help save America.

My Father, the Pandemic, and Thoughts on Abandonment

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For nearly a year we were ignored by the people charged with our safety. From personal experience, I know the psychological toll will be significant.

The Virus Before and The One That Came After

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Time has helped ease my grief over my husband's death, but my grieving hasn’t stopped. The world, it seems, has caught up with me.

Things I’ve Been Meaning to Tell You About Your Funeral

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From a TV anchor mourner to a dive bar 'post-party,' you really would've loved it.

Will I Be All Right Again in 2021?

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In 2019 my mom died. In 2020 we had a family suicide, a botched burial, and a catastrophic pandemic. Now, I’m looking ahead to 2021 — with (gasp!) hope.

‘Don’t Forget This Happened’

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A COVID-era plea on World AIDS Day

A Person Is a World

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My mother’s death was followed closely by the pandemic — creating this strange and still and endless space in which everyone is grieving something.

How the Modern Loss Holiday Gift Swap Sparked a Powerful Friendship

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We were complete strangers who disentangled our lonely and complex feelings about grief together.

You Don’t Have to Be Festive if You Don’t Want to Be

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As a young widow, I'm used to the holidays sucking. I'm here to encourage you to fly whatever flag you need to get through this season.

Countdown to Forever

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Sydney, the dog my ex and I share, is dying. How do I say goodbye? 

Miscarriage after IVF - Modern Loss

I Had a Miscarriage After IVF

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A year later, I still can't bring myself to try the process again.

How Day of the Dead Gave Me Life

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Embracing the Mexican tradition helped me deal with my anger after my mom's death.

What I Wish I Could Tell My Younger Grieving Self

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45 years after my mom died, I finally know the impact of loss across time.

Saying Kaddish Into the Screen

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After my father died, a weekly memorial gathering connected me to community when I needed it most. Then came COVID.

The GOP Won’t Stop Texting My Dead Dad

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My father died before the pandemic and the election season's fever pitch. Now, every political ping reminds me of the first time we were truly divided.

Hoe Ik Het Rouwvocabulaire Maak Dat Mist in Onze Taal

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Sterkte. Dat is wat we in het Nederlands zeggen om elkaar kracht te wensen als er iets moeilijks is gebeurd. We wensen elkaar nooit zachtheid of de openheid om het allemaal te kunnen ervaren.

How I’m Creating the Grief Vocabulary My Language Doesn’t Have

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The Dutch wish each other strength to move through tough times. But in loss, we need different words of support.

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