Knowing Hearts, Helping Hands
By Carol McMurrich and Katrina Van Naerssen It was a warm June day when I got the call, curiously on a day where I had planned to work, but didn’t …
loss
Bevely’s Story: Part Four
Many people who suffer unexpected tragedy turn to generosity and giving back as a way of making meaning in their experience. Though many years had passed, I was thrilled to …
Bevely’s Story: Part Three
Knowing Empty Arms is there is something that Western Massachusetts families can return to again and again. While there are many families who use Empty Arms daily or weekly in …
Bevely’s Story: Part Two
Coping with the early days and months can be the hardest part of loss. Often parents feel as if nobody understands, and that feeling of being misunderstood can prevent them …
Bevely’s Story: Part One
This is the first in a series of four pieces about Bevely Gonzalez. I met Bevely for the first time several years after the loss of her second daughter, Jelyna, …
How many kids do you have?
By Sara Barry by Sara Barry Lights flashed and the disco ball made shapes on the floor. Kids shrieked and balls and bins clattered. Typical bowling birthday party. “I don’t …
Why I Love the Gift of a Heart of Stone
by Sara Barry “Here,” my 11-year-old neighbor thrust a bag at me. I looked at the birthday cake on the side, confused. It was over a month since my birthday. …
Still not over it?
By Sara Barry In the lead up to Mother’s Day this year, I almost forgot it was coming. Almost. But my body knew what was coming even if I didn’t …