Last week, I went to see the film “The Same Storm,” which was made during the pandemic, using Zoom as the actors filmed from their own homes. It revolves around the need for connection during the isolation and uncertainty in the spring and summer of 2020. The quote from a poem written by Damien Barr…… Continue reading Different Boat, Same Storm
Category: Shared Experience
This blog shares the experience of walking through grief
The Gift of Service
I’ve always had a close relationship with my dad. He was the person that was always there for me. When Mike died, he flew from Florida to Phoenix the same day, arriving at 11 pm. He has been the rock that I could always count on for wise advice. Now, it’s my turn to return…… Continue reading The Gift of Service
Copyright Jennifer Mullins Music plays an essential part in my life, connecting the happy and sad memories of my many experiences. A song can bring me back to a particular moment in time that can make me smile or cry. I often see the events associated with that music in my mind's eye. The Beatles'… Continue reading The Road We Shared
Books That Inspire
Copyright Jennifer Mullins Books have played an essential role in my life. I used to love mysteries until Mike died, and then the thought of dealing with death was too much. Also, they didn’t capture the grittiness of emotions that you go through when someone you love dies. Instead, I started reading books by people…… Continue reading Books That Inspire
Accepting What You Cannot Change
Just the Three of Us I switched phone carriers and then got a new phone in the last few months. Both times, I lost recordings that I can’t replace. I had to learn to make peace with the things that I could not change. My dad had called and usually left a message for me…… Continue reading Accepting What You Cannot Change
Never Forget
9/11 is forever seared into our collective consciousness as we watched in real-time the unimaginable: planes crashing into the World Trade Center, the Pentagon, and the field in Shanksville, Pennsylvania. It was horrifying watching the people fleeing the towers as first responders were heading into the fire, only to have them come crashing down on…… Continue reading Never Forget
No One’s Perfect
Copyright Jennifer Mullins It’s so easy when someone dies to make them a saint. Sometimes, B. would put her dad on a pedestal, but I wouldn’t. I think you honor someone who has died by looking at them as a complete human, the good and the bad. Relationships are complicated because we bring ourselves and…… Continue reading No One’s Perfect
Sometimes, Saying Nothing is Best
Copyright Jennifer Mullins I heard so many platitudes when Mike died. The thing is, I know that I was just as guilty of doing the same thing. Only with lived experience could I change how I showed up for others. “He’s in a better place” or “he’s not suffering anymore” were common refrains. Not only…… Continue reading Sometimes, Saying Nothing is Best
Saying Yes to Life
The pandemic curbed the 2020 Phoenix Film Festival until the fall of last year, with limited seating for films. The 2021 festival was pushed to August because of the continued outbreak, but remarkable events with more film seating, filmmakers, and fan enthusiasts made it a success. I emailed the festival offering to volunteer five years…… Continue reading Saying Yes to Life
The Second Year Is Harder
Copyright Jennifer Mullins In my second session of the hospice support group, a widower shared that as hard as the first year was, the second year was more challenging. It had only been five months since Mike had died, and the pain was so fresh. How could it be worse than this? The first year…… Continue reading The Second Year Is Harder
Beautiful Bittersweet Life 
You must be logged in to post a comment.