Ghosts of Christmases past

While the Christmas season can be difficult for those of us missing a loved one, remembering them—out loud, with others who knew them—is a balm to the soul.

remember lost loved ones, the art of listeningDawn M. RoodeDecember 9, 2019Christmas memories, missing family during holidays, grief support, holiday memoriesComment

Are my memories of my mother gone?

As the tenth anniversary of losing my mom approaches, I have been caught up in thoughts of the past—but where are those vivid memories that once flooded me?

remember lost loved ones, memoir & writing, family history, dawn's musingsDawn M. RoodeOctober 3, 2019writing from memories, preserving family memories, writing about difficult memories Comments

Announcing new resources toolkit

Discover family history, life story writing, and photo management guides in our Toolkit, where you can download free resources to help you preserve your legacy.

photo legacy, memoir & writing, remember lost loved onesDawn M. RoodeAugust 5, 2019free downloads, life story writing prompts, family history guidesComment

Reaching out when someone is grieving

When someone you care about loses a loved one, it can be difficult to know what to say or how to help. Compassionate advice, found in a rather unlikely place.

remember lost loved onesDawn M. RoodeApril 12, 2018how to talk to someone who is grieving, support for caregivers, dealing with death of a loved oneComment

Holiday grief: Find comfort & connection in memories

We may yearn for a lost loved one even more during the holidays, but know that shared memories are a balm to the soul, and that grief is another form of love.

remember lost loved onesDawn M. RoodeDecember 19, 2017dealing with grief, storytelling for healing grief, healing power of remembrance, Christmas memoriesComment

The (real) value of your parents’ stuff

When aging parents have lots of stuff, their children often do not want it when they die—but it’s the memories associated with the stuff that makes them heirlooms.

remember lost loved ones, family historyDawn M. RoodeAugust 24, 2017is it a family heirloom or just stuff, downsizing now to spare your children later, family heirlooms as burden, family heirloom stories Comment

The healing power of remembrance

Allison Gilbert, Soledad O'Brien, and Henry Louis Gates, Jr., talk about the power of remembrance in the face of grief, & why family story sharing is healing.

remember lost loved ones, why tell your stories?Dawn M. RoodeMay 4, 2017healing power of remembrance, dealing with grief, story sharing in memory of the dead Comments

Notes from a funeral

Reflections from a funeral on remembrance & grief: sharing memories about lost loved ones to heal—and why we don't honor our families through story sharing now.

remember lost loved ones, why tell your stories?Dawn M. RoodeApril 27, 2017sharing stories about lost loved ones, creating a family legacy through storytelling, healing grief through remembranceComment