Author Archives: debraannmcgill

This article is written for those who have cared for someone through an extended illness, then lost that person at the end. Some caregivers are able to make peace with their efforts in looking after their special person; more often caregivers suffer about it and need time to come to terms with it. I’m oneContinue reading “Caregiver’s Remorse, An Ugly Pocket of the Grieving Process”

I hope you have a supportive family physician, who will see you through your grieving process.   These days, that can be a tall order; some people can’t find a family doctor at all.  I’m fortunate to have a kind and helpful doctor this time. It’s been a real comfort to me.  Why should youContinue reading “EARLY DAYS: Check In With your Doctor Right Away”

When your partner passes away, you face the devastating fact that the entire structure of your life is gone. I’m assuming the relationship has been a decent one (not perfect, no marriage is perfect!). You lose whatever your relationship consisted of, which varies from couple to couple. You might be losing a friend, companion, lover,Continue reading “What Do You Lose When You Lose a Husband?”

There does exist a generalized ranking for the severity of bereavement: the most traumatic death to endure being the death of a child, then the death of a partner, then a parent, then a sibling. Really, though, the depth of grief is only partly about the blood bond or title of the relationship. The depthContinue reading “However You’re Grieving Is the Right Way”

Newly bereaved people often doubt that they’ll survive. At first it can feel like the death of your loved one will end your life too. That’s how wretched you may feel, too much pain. How do I know you’ll make it through? I know because I’ve done it twice and I’m just a regular person,Continue reading “The Most Important Thing – You’ll Survive This!”

I’m a teacher, a mother, stepmother, and grandmother. My name is Debbie and I live in Port Alberni, a medium-sized town in the middle of Vancouver Island, a pretty place. This blog is dedicated to my kids, stepkids, and their families. They lost parents, stepparents, grandparents when I lost husbands. As we all know, luckContinue reading “Who Am I and Why Am I Writing?”