It will be a year on Monday since my grandma died. I didn't relaize how much it would affect me until this morning. We were really close and I miss her all the time,I don't know what it is about anniversaries that makes it so bad. The hard part is I really have no one to share it with. With my other grandma, the whole family greived together, it just doesn't happen that way with my father's side of the family. It's not like I can't share or get comfort from others, it's just not the same. It just makes it even sadder. So ot won't be a godd weekend for me.

Sorry to hear you are grieving alone. What a bummer!

I'll be honest and share something with you that might make you feel better.

I truly thought the build-up to my mom's first anniversary was worse than the actual day. I don't know what I expected the day to be like...maybe reliving the whole funeral day, moment by moment, but I really didn't do that.

Just make sure you keep yourself occupied so you don't have much time to dwell on it.

Also, be sure to reflect on all the happy times you shared!

I'm praying for ya!

It has been several years now since I lost my dad and a decade since Michael and I lost his brother and I learned something important about dealing with grief. Do not commemorate the date of death....choose to celebrate the joy filled days...like birthdays and anniversaries and holidays that were special to our loved ones. I also learned that it seems to take a minimum of 2 years before you feel like you can breath again. About 2 years after dad died I woke up one morning to discover that the lead weight that had been dangling from my heart was gone. Now, as tough dates approach, I try to remember the way dad would celebrate an event, like St. Pat's day, and do something that he would have enjoyed. I also have a Dear Daddy journal, where I often share thoughts and events and updates about the kids. It isn't as good as the real thing....but it helps. God bless you with grace and mercy and his loving comfort....I know it feels awful now, but I promise, it does get better.

Dotise and Kathryn thanks for thinking of me. I wanted to let you know that the build up to it was in deed worse than the actual day. I did go out to the cemetary and take some things from my garden. I laid down on a blanket and just sat there for a while. It actually felt really good.

The actual day was fairly uneventful, I was very busy at work and it wasn't until the evening that I got a chance to think about it. I gave my Dad a call, but he didn't return it.

Thanks so much to the both of you for your support. I really do appreciate it.