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.
-
Light vs. Dark
LIGHT VS DARK Dear Friends, Today’s reflection in Grief One Day at a Time is so profound I would like to share it in its entirety: He begins with a quote from Confucius: “It is better to light one small candle than to curse the darkness.” “Because we were raised in a time and culture…
-
Why Worry
WHY WORRY Dear Friends, Worry. There is a lot of worrying going on all over the world right now, all over our nation, our communities, homes and hearts. Worrying excessively can become a big problem for those who are grieving, -well for anybody really. Constant worrying, negative thinking and always expecting the worst can take…
-
Wake me up when Sept. ends
Dear Friends, Even more than the dates and numbers on the calendar, for me personally I think it is the September weather that triggers feelings and memories of what happened on 9-11-01 more than anything else. It never ceases to amaze me how the weather, or the feel of the air on your skin, or…
-
The Good that is yet to be
Dear Friends, As I am writing today, it’s quite dark outside even though it is morning. The remnants of Hurricane Laura are whisking by, with not much wind or rain right now, just lots of darkness. It’s hard to believe that just two days ago this was a category 4 tempest bearing down on the…
-
Little
Dear Friends, Today is the sixteenth anniversary of the passing of my dear nephew Jimmy. Because his father is also a “Jimmy” we always called my nephew “Little Jimmy,” or just “Little.” He wasn’t little though, he had good height and was quite muscular. But it was his personality that was farthest from little. He…
-
The Dragonfly Story
Dear Friends, I’ve been visiting my sister about once a week since my brother-in-law passed away well over a month ago. We always sit on her front porch for social distancing and each and every time we are there together, a dragonfly shows up and hangs out with us. It never ceases to amaze me…
-
one day at a time
Dear Friends, I have to admit that I don’t like August very much and I never look forward to it. My sister, nephew, godfather and a very dear friend all died in August. Unfortunately, the rest of the calendar is getting pretty filled with similar such dates, – dates I’d rather forget than remember. On…
-
Mourning Walk
Dear Friends, It’s hard to believe that it’s August already, and before you know it September will be here in a flash. I am thoroughly looking forward to our Mourning Walk on Sunday September 13th! It is hard to describe the feelings and experience I personally had on the Mourning Walk the last two years.…
-
Anger
ANGER Dear Friends, Before I begin my reflection today, please let me extend my sincerest appreciation to so many of you who have extended support, love and prayers to me and my family during these trying times of loss and sorrow. Our aunt in El Salvador, however, has been released from the hospital and thank…
-
Grieving Heals
GRIEVING HEALS Dear Friends, I’ve had a dear friend for over 30 years who visits quite frequently, but like everyone else, he has been unable to visit for months due to the lockdown. He is a monk, a friar really (there is a subtle difference) and even though he lives in a monastery with other…