Tag Archives: loss

The Mary Mac Show | Death of a Sibling

The Mary Mac Show Podcast

In Episode 154, we discuss our pain after the death of a sister or brother, stepsister or stepbrother, the nuances of our relationship, how most dismiss the gravity of this loss and how to help ourselves through the grieving process.

When our sibling dies, it can be very painful and usually an unexpected death.

We knew them almost all our lives, were brought up together, loved each other through thick and thin.

We expected to grow old with them, raise our children together, go on vacations together, enjoy family gatherings together for holidays, events and other life events.

We thought we would be with each other when our parents became ill later in life.

We expected that they would be there for us when we had difficulty emotionally because most times they were our go-to person growing up and now that they’ve died or were killed, whom do we turn to when times become hard.

Experiencing the death of a brother, sister, stepbrother or stepsister, whom we were raised with, is something that shocks us to our core.

This was not supposed to happen.

Our parents are supposed to die first, not them!

Listen in to today’s episode to learn more about your responses and others’ reactions after you’ve experienced a sibling’s death.

Your grief will be intertwined with your sister or brother-in-law’s who lost their spouse, your parents who have now lost a child, and your grandparents who have lost a grandchild.

Also remember your own spouse and children may be highly affected too.

Sending you my love. xoxo

Additional Notes:

My 3 book bundle including Understanding Your Grieving Heart After a Loved One’s Death is perfect for those beginning their journey. It is available for immediate download in any part of the world.

Visit Crisis Connections at my website to telephone a trained counselor to speak with whenever you are feeling lonely, overwhelmed, confused, frightened, fearful or any host of emotions. Even if it is a suicide hotline, do not think they cannot help you. You do not need to feel suicidal to speak with these wonderful counselors. They are there to listen to you.

Use the Emotional Freedom Technique for Grief.

You can watch Marissa Peer’s “I Am Enough” meditation.

Treat yourself to a lovely gift from our Heart of Gold “I Remember” Products from The Mary Mac Store.

Remember, a portion of all proceeds help fund The Foundation for Grieving Children, Inc., the first national non-profit public charity which benefits children, teens, young adults after a loved one’s death which I established many years ago. Perhaps you’d like to give a donation in your sibling’s name.

And remember to sign up for my private email list so we can always stay in touch, since social media is no longer reliable. Receive my ebook 21 Things You Must Know About The Grieving Process for immediate download.

We’d love your support for our podcast and the work I do for grieving individuals. Buy me a coffee is an easy way to help me. Click on the purple coffee cup on this page! Thanks.

The Mary Mac Show | Veterans Day 2022

The Mary Mac Show PodcastIn Episode 153, we honor our veterans this week in the USA and around the world for all they have sacrificed for our countries’ freedom.

We are so grateful for the outstanding veterans in our lives.

They have sacrificed so much of their emotional, mental and physical strength for our benefit.

They’ve encounters horrific situations in far away lands which we will never know.

And they lived through traumas for years after leaving the military.

Some have lost limbs, had permanent and temporary injuries, traumatic brain injuries as well as post traumatic stress disorder.

These injuries take months or years to heal, if they ever do.

And their families welcome them home and help them endure the aftermath of illness, injury and war.

So on Veterans Day, this week on November 11th in the USA, and on your Veterans’ Day around the world, we thank those who put their lives on the line for our safety and freedom.

But we also sincerely thank their family and friends who love them and care for them as they recover.

With Blessings and Gratitude,

Mary Mac
xoxo

Additional Notes:

If you are having difficulty, please use the following assistance:

Visit my Crisis Connections page on this site to find telephone helpline counselors to speak with all around the world. Don’t be shy; they are there to help when you are having a hard time.

You can also visit the Gary Sinise Foundation’s suicide prevention telephone line. If you are a veteran in crisis or concerned about one, caring VA responders are standing by to help. Dial 1-800-273-8255 and press 1.

The Disabled American’s Veterans organization or DAV.org is ready to help, as well.

Search for homeopathic doctors with the designation CCH in your area of the world. Read their sites and speak with them to determine whom you would feel most comfortable working with.

The Mary Mac Show | The Gift of Embrace

The Mary Mac Show Podcast

In Episode 152, we discuss the value of embrace, touch and hugs to ward off despair, depression, fear, stress, loneliness and isolation after a loved one’s death and instead to soak in love, peace and calm.

Most of us are unaware of the need to be held, hugged and embraced on a regular basis.

But especially when we have experienced the death of a significant person in our lives, the need is that much more important.

When people come to visit, open your arms to them to welcome this gesture.

It might not have felt important before, but now you need to drink in that embrace to help you heal.

Whether you are young or old, having someone embrace you gives you a sense of peace and calm.

It might bring tears but what do you care.

You need that comfort that a long embrace provides to you.

And if we are isolated or don’t have others around us, perhaps because we are widowed, live alone, are single, etc. it is important to have a pet or stuffed animal which we can cuddle with, stroke, snuggle with, sleep with just to have that connection.

Do you notice how young children love stuffed animals that they tuck under their arm and sleep with at night.

It brings them security and comfort.

And don’t you be embarrassed to do the same thing if you are alone and have no pet.

As I mention in my podcast this week, the light pink stuffed bear I bought for my grandmother gave her great comfort and when she died, I took it and still have it on my closet shelf.

I look at it all the time and it reminds me of her, but at times I hold it and stroke it and it comforts me.

So if you don’t have loved ones around you, get a stuffed or real animal to keep you company.

Speak to it, sleep with your furbaby, let it make you smile and laugh.

You need that to reduce stress, disease, anxiety, despair and depression.

Do it now so no matter what the future brings, you will have your friend there for you.

And when you are able to meet up with others face to face, make sure you reach open your arms and simply say “I need a hug.”

Be kind to yourself.

Sending you my love, my warrior! xoxo

Additional Notes:

My book Understanding Your Grieving Heart After a Loved One’s Death is perfect for those beginning their journey. Click here to get yours by downloading it immediately.

Visit Crisis Connections at my website to telephone a trained counselor to speak with whenever you are feeling lonely, overwhelmed, confused, frightened, fearful or any host of emotions. Even if it is a suicide hotline, do not think they cannot help you. You do not need to feel suicidal to speak with these wonderful counselors. They are there to listen to you.

Use the Emotional Freedom Technique for Healing.

You can watch Marissa Peer’s “I Am Enough” meditation.

Treat yourself to a lovely gift from our Heart of Gold “I Remember” Products from The Mary Mac Store.

Remember, a portion of all proceeds help fund The Foundation for Grieving Children, Inc., the first national non-profit public charity which benefits children, teens, young adults after a loved one’s death which I established many years ago. Your donation would mean so much!

And remember to sign up for my private email list so we can always stay in touch, since social media is no longer reliable. Receive my free ebook 21 Things You Must Know About The Grieving Process for immediate download.

The Mary Mac Show | Remembering The Good

The Mary Mac Show Podcast

In Episode 151, we discuss how we remember our loved ones who have died and the need to look at the good instead of the sorrowful memories.

After the death of a loved one, we spending a great amount of energy as we deal with our pain and sorrow.

And as the years go by, we may find ourselves still stuck in that state.

Yet, it’s not physically and emotionally healthy to allow ourselves to do this.

One way to help us lift ourselves up is to remember the good about the person we loved.

Remember the special moments with them.

Release more of the difficult, painful memories you had with them so you can feel lighter.

Everything that you shared together is in the past and while it’s hard to hear, nothing will change that relationship.

All you can do is take the time to remember the softer moments, fun times, the happier times.

If you do what I recommend at the end of each podcast, to write 5 things each night in your gratitude journal, you will soon see that you feel better.

You will see that your outlook on life lifts for the better.

Right now, with everything that is going on in the world, and add to that your bereavement, it is very important that you do this.

Take the time you need to uplift yourself each day by journaling and remembering moments in your relationship that you are grateful for.

Remember to be good to yourself, my warrior. Let others help you.

Additional Notes:

Learn EFT to calm your intense emotions. Visit here.

Meditation Videos to help you rest. Choose which resonate with you.

If you need help learning about the grieving process, instead of being unsure if what you’re feeling is natural and normal, please pick up my Bundle of Hope set of books at Grief Authority.

Please share with anyone you know who might benefit from this knowledge. Also subscribe/follow to my podcast on whichever podcast platform you listened in.

xoxo

Learning To Love Ourselves | The Mary Mac Show

The Mary Mac Show Podcast

This week, in Episode 150, we discuss how we can learn to love ourselves and allow others to love us through the pain of losing a loved one.

When we first experienced the death of a loved one, we are embraced by many people, usually at the end of their life, if they were ill and later at the funeral services that are developed.

Some may even stay with you for a week or so, while you get acclimated to functioning without them.

But you quickly learn that when they leave, you aren’t settled at all.

You struggle to balance a new life for yourself and your grief. That is part of the process.

You go through many emotional and physical challenges, maybe even financial challenges which take you down several roads, some of which you might not want to encounter.

But through all of this, there will come a time when you have to take the focus off of them and put it back on you.

You are entitled to love yourself through all this pain.

To recognize that no matter what is happening YOU ARE ENOUGH just the way you are.

One of my favorite teachers is Marissa Peer who teaches us that we are enough at every place in our life.

And it is this wisdom that will help you along your journey because it’s important that we not stay stuck in grief forever.

Some people do this and decide that if our loved one is not with us any longer, they can no long have a wonderful life.

And I don’t want that for you.

Please don’t wear the black veil forever.

And, I know, you won’t be physically wearing it on your head, but you know you’re wearing it over your heart.

Let others love you.

Let yourself love you!

No matter what happened, and how they died, at some point consciously take off that veil and tell your loved one you love them and it’s now time for you.

Bless you my friend, my warrior!

xoxo

Additional Notes:

Marisa Peer’s “Loving Yourself” and I Am Enough, and a compilation of other wonderful videos on this topic – must watch!

Visit this compilation of loving yourself EFT videos by Julie Schiffman who will teach you the Emotional Freedom Technique. Her videos calm your spirit and help you release emotional and physical pain as you move forward.

Here are some meditation music video choices to help you rest.

Grab my free ebook, 21 Things You Need to Know About the Grieving Process, right here on my site.

Visit GriefAuthority.com for my 3 book Bundle of Hope set to help you through your grieving process.

Also, thank you for your donations to support my podcast by clicking on the cup right here on the website. It is much appreciated.

Please share with anyone who may benefit from this knowledge. Also subscribe, rate and review this podcast on whichever podcast platform you listened in.