Monthly reflections from Kevin Keelen.
Each month, our bereavement minister Kevin Keelen shares a short reflection: a thought, a story, or a gentle companion for wherever you are on your grief journey. New writings appear here as they are published.
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The Best Medicine
The Best Medicine My brother-in-law’s passing was immensely sad, completely unexpected, and quite tragic, yet at his wake service, it wasn’t so much the sound of crying (there certainly was that) as much as laughter that emanated from the corners of Thomson Funeral Home. He was a very funny guy. My last words to him,…
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The Converging Holidays
1 The Converging Holidays If it’s not the most wonderful time of the year for you, and you dread the days ahead, you are most certainly not alone. For many people, the holidays can often loom as a horror hanging just over the horizon. These future dates can be so all- consuming that they can…
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Sea Legs
Testing Our Sea Legs We are just about to start our annual July hiatus as Stephy’s Place will be closed until August 6th. For those who volunteer and work at our Center, it is a much-needed break to regroup and rest. For our participants, it is also an opportunity to stand on one’s own and…
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Newly Embarking
Newly Embarking April 12,2024 Kevin J. Keelen If you are unfortunately new to this “journey” of grief, I hope that this reflection can help you in some way, even with just a tad more insight into what you have embarked upon. It isn‟t until we lose a loved one that we “embark” on this roller…
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Signs of
SIGNS OF SPRING March 8, 2024 Kevin J. Keelen With all the gloomy weather, it’s uplifting to see Robins bouncing in the wet grass as well as one of the other first signs of Spring: when the beach chairs and umbrellas arrive at Costco. But this is not a typical springtime reflection. What I call…
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Where the Heavens
I have been working on a book which will feature most of the reflections I’ve been writing for Stephy’s Place, I’m happy to say that it is very near completion to go off to a hopeful publisher. For the next few months, I will be sending you some of those past reflections that I think…
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A Christmas Message for the Mourning
A Christmas Message for the Mourning By Kevin Keelen The holidays can be excruciating for those who are grieving. As Christmas approaches, I think it may be helpful for those of us who grew up celebrating it, to try to remember exactly what this holiday, or Holy Day, is really all about. So much of…
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From Darkness to Light Holidays
From Darkness to Light Dear Friends, If I hear “It’s the most wonderful time of the year” one more time I may explode. Don’t you just love it when people or songs or billboards or commercials or decorations or movies or tv shows try to tell you how to feel? I just returned from a…
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Surviving the Holidays
1 Surviving the Holidays For many people, the holidays can often loom as a horror hanging just over the horizon. Keeping in mind that everyone grieves differently, it’s pretty universal that the holiday season can magnify our feelings of loss and sorrow. These future dates can be so all-consuming that they can emotionally destroy each…
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Putting it to Work
PUTTING IT TO WORK I’ve been inspired lately by many things… First was our annual Mourning Walk which took place on Sunday September 11th. As I looked out on the huge amount of beautiful faces, I quickly and solemnly remembered how I met some of you 21 years ago, shortly after that fateful date. You…