Tag Archives: loss

On Spring

Posted on March 25, 2018 by susanbriscoe

I truly didn’t think I would see another spring, but this past week we did indeed officially reach the Spring Equinox! Of course, where I live it’s hardly spring in any real sense. Mounds of snow cover the gardens, and … Continue reading →

Posted in On Dying and Living | Tagged change, cycles, death and dying, loss, seasons, spring | 12 Comments

A Video Conversation with the Incomparable Lesley Everest

Posted on November 29, 2017 by susanbriscoe

Lesley Everest, a cherished old friend who is a minister, transformation companion, and doula –in addition to being a miraculous cancer survivor, amazing mom, and extraordinary person– has honoured me with this interview, the first on her brand new site, … Continue reading →

Posted in Other Stuff | Tagged cancer, death, dying, gifts, gratitude, grief, hope, loss, writing | 3 Comments

Ask Me Anything Repost: Oliver’s Answers

Posted on October 25, 2017 by susanbriscoe

Here are Oliver’s answers to the questions a class of college students in a course called Death and Dying had for him about his mom being near death. I was so proud of his courage, generosity, and thoughtfulness in writing … Continue reading →

Posted in Ask Me Anything! | Tagged advice, cancer, death, dying, family, gratitude, grief, life, loss, pain, terminal illness | 3 Comments

Guest Post by Oliver

Posted on September 8, 2017 by susanbriscoe

My son Oliver and I recently accepted an invitation to answer some “ask me anything” questions from a class of college students in a course called Death and Dying. Here are Oliver’s answers to the questions they had for him … Continue reading →

Posted in Ask Me Anything! | Tagged advice, cancer, death, dying, family, gratitude, grief, life, loss, pain, terminal illness | 10 Comments

On Giving Gifts

Posted on August 23, 2017 by susanbriscoe

I have written here before about receiving gifts, and of the sweetness of gratitude. I do believe that gratitude is one of the cornerstones of happiness. But lately I’ve been thinking even more of giving gifts, of what I want … Continue reading →

Posted in On Dying and Living | Tagged cancer, death, dying, gifts, giving, gratitude, grief, loss, self-doubt, terminal illness, writing | 21 Comments

On Motherhood

Posted on July 7, 2017 by susanbriscoe

I’ve been a mother half my life. Nearly a quarter century, and most of my adulthood. In all that time, I have been trying to figure out how to mother in a way that feels right. Or at least with … Continue reading →

Posted in On Dying and Living | Tagged cancer, change, choices, creativity, death, dying, family, gifts, life, loss, terminal illness, time | 14 Comments

On Sadness

Posted on June 28, 2017 by susanbriscoe

My friend Miriam asked me to write about sadness, so I’ll try. I’ve mentioned being sad a couple of times, but not much, considering the circumstances. I guess it hadn’t seemed worth remarking on, since it’s so obvious and ubiquitous. … Continue reading →

Posted in On Dying and Living | Tagged cancer, death, family, grief, loss, relationship, sadness | 3 Comments

On a new normal

Posted on June 19, 2017 by susanbriscoe

This is a strange space to inhabit. I’m not feeling that sick at the moment, and in my dreams I am still healthy. So I wake most mornings feeling perfectly fine. The emotional intensity of the first weeks after my … Continue reading →

Posted in On Dying and Living | Tagged cancer, change, chemotherapy, choices, death, dying, gifts, grief, life, loss, sadness, time, transition | 4 Comments

On my disease

Posted on June 18, 2017 by susanbriscoe

I hadn’t wanted to discuss details of my disease and current health status here, since I prefer to focus as little of my attention as possible on the medical part of this ordeal. My body demands enough attention and care … Continue reading →

Posted in On Dying and Living | Tagged cancer, chemotherapy, death, diagnosis, leiomyosarcoma, loss, surgery | 9 Comments

On Paths

Posted on May 26, 2017 by susanbriscoe

Something about paths is so poignant to me. Naturally occurring paths, those that happen just because others have taken that way before: they are invitations. A dirt path worn across a vacant lot or cutting a corner, through the woods … Continue reading →

Posted in On Dying and Living | Tagged cancer, death, dying, grief, loss, paths, terminal illness | 4 Comments

On Creativity

Posted on May 22, 2017 by susanbriscoe

I have always loved art, both looking at it and making it. Since becoming ill (actually since the US election, which might very well be what made me sick), my need for visual art has intensified. If I had more … Continue reading →

Posted in On Dying and Living | Tagged art, cancer, creativity, death, dying, gifts, grief, loss | 2 Comments

On Control

Posted on May 15, 2017 by susanbriscoe

It seems every other obituary these days starts with “lost her battle with cancer” or some similar phrasing. So much of our culture’s response to cancer is framed in terms of battle. The message is that if you are one … Continue reading →

Posted in On Dying and Living | Tagged cancer, control, death, grief, loss | 2 Comments