Both tears and sweat are salty, but they render a different result. Tears will get you sympathy; sweat will get you change.
Jesse Jackson

Grief and loss can take a terrible toll on the body. We stop eating, we eat too much, we eat empty calories instead of nourishing our bodies. We can’t sleep, we don’t want to get out of bed, all we do is sleep. We can’t bear to leave the house, much less go to the gym, take the dog for a walk or go for a run.

an image of eight hands making fists all coming together in the middle of a circle of friends

Learn to deal with the physical impact of grief and begin to heal your body after a devastating loss. We share ideas on how to move, nourish and rejuvenate your body even on your hardest days.

We invite you to become part of our community. Share your story, ask a question, make a comment. We’d love to hear from you.

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Donna wearing a turquoise colored shirt and a gray bucket hat eating vanilla ice cream cone in a game

All My Favorite People

I don’t know about them but I know about us
It is what it is and we love who we love
Not everyone gets what we’re going through
But all my favorite people do

Close up of Bugz who is wearing a silver pinch color and standing in front of a bare tree. His nose is white and so is his neck. He's black starting from behind his eyes including his ears.

Helping Kids Cope With Pet Loss

He was 13 years old, or at least, that was our guess. We rescued our feisty French bulldog, Bugz, 11 years ago, and he instantly became a family member. He was there for the milestones of marriage, career change, new home and children. He had some challenging quirks to him, caused by an abusive past, but that made us just love him even more.

A brown stone ledge of a fountain with coins on it

“I Wish That Mommy Never Dies” — Helping My Preschooler Cope With Grief and Loss

While visiting family during Christmas break, we decided to grab a bite to eat. I saw a fountain that would be a great distraction for my impatient four-and-a-half-year old while we waited to be seated. As I handed my son pennies to toss into the water, I had no idea that he would have such a powerful wish.

Telling The Untold Story

There is no greater agony than bearing an untold story inside you. Maya Angelou

Margo and Jimmy after a race in 2006. Margo is on the right wearing a long sleeve white t-shirt that says "Portland Children's Museum". Jimmy is on the right, bald from cancer treatment wearing a short sleeve white t-shirt with the number 3186 pinned to the front

Finding Your People

Find a group of people who challenge and inspire you, spend a lot of time with them and it will change your life. Amy Poehler

Michael and Erin kissing Sam on the cheeks. Michael is on the left wearing glasses and a light green short-sleeve collared shirt. Sam is in the middle wearing a very light short-sleeve blue collared shirt and a blue baseball cap backward. Erin is on the right wearing a short sleeve tan blouse and black pants

Death, Yoga and the Spaces Between

I started practicing yoga consistently about a year before my son, Sam, died. I had tried yoga in the past but as a form of exercise and a way to stretch. In the months preceding and following Sam’s death, yoga became something else entirely. It gave me permission to spend time focusing on simple things […]

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