by Dr. Deanna Shrodes | Oct 2, 2023 | Loss, Recovery, Stress, Trauma
Reality check: some things don’t get better, at least right away. That doesn’t mean nothing gets better, but it means some situations may not, for a while. For example, there are diseases that are managed – not cured, unless God heals them. There are also...
by Dr. Deanna Shrodes | Aug 30, 2023 | Grief, Loss, Relationships
Today was a hard day. My friend Bev Guidt passed away, in Richmond, Virginia. It was a total shock. I am still sitting here shaking my head wondering,”What in the world?!” Bev recently went into the hospital for surgery on her spine. Then she was released...
by Dr. Deanna Shrodes | Aug 16, 2023 | Loss, Relationships, Writing
Writing about some things can cause you to lose everything or nearly everything. I’ve written a lot, and I’ve lost a lot. I’ve also gained so much more than I’ve lost. But the losses seem to stick in your mind more with anything. So we avoid...
by Dr. Deanna Shrodes | Jul 26, 2023 | Caregiving, Family, Grief, Loss, Relationships
It’s been a year since I brought Gus home to live with me and to take care of him until he took his last breath. On Saturday I went into his room and did my usual brief pause, patted the bed, and slowly walked out, shutting the door. Exhaling, I wondered when I...
by Dr. Deanna Shrodes | Jul 12, 2023 | Grief, Loss, Recovery, Trauma
Not long ago, I was having a talk with my assistant and friend, Judi Cotignola, about trauma, grief, loss and moving forward. We noticed something about the people in our lives who had experienced these tragedies. Some had moved forward and were seeing great things...
by Dr. Deanna Shrodes | Jun 22, 2023 | Family, Loss, Ministry, Recovery, Relationships, Stress, Stress Management
“Cruel people offer pity when they no longer feel threatened. However, kind people offer compassion and understanding regardless.” Shannon L. Alder When my birth father, Gus, passed away in December, I thought to myself, “I just need space to grieve.” Everything had...