Riding The Waves

Category: Grief

The Climb. Finding Peace As I Walk Through Grief. Day 23 of 365

It turned out to be an exquisite day in so many ways — bright, sunny, warm and breezy — though it certainly didn’t begin that way. On that Saturday in May, a number of us were headed to Northern Wisconsin to witness the wedding of a dear friend, someone I’ve known, and with whom I have laughed, for... Read more »

By Christine Wolf,
May 21, 2018 at 1:18 pm •

My First Poem. Day 19 of 365

The other night, just as I fell asleep listening to a podcast, the host shared this poem by Mark Nepo: Adrift Everything is beautiful and I am so sad. This is how the heart makes a duet of wonder and grief. The light spraying through the lace of the fern is as delicate as the fibers... Read more »

By Christine Wolf,
May 3, 2018 at 4:20 pm •

Mourning Glory. How I Learned To Openly Grieve. Day 12 of 365

(Click here to read the first part of this post) On the day my sister was cremated, the world, for me, had shifted on its axis, and yet somehow, the drive-thru line outside this restaurant was still moving right along…and the overhead lights were still burning bright above us…and the sun was still shining despite such gloom.... Read more »

By Christine Wolf,
April 23, 2018 at 5:20 pm •

Mourning Glory. How I Learned To Openly Grieve. Day 11 of 365

Since my sister’s unexpected death three months ago, I have heard — and been reminded of — three specific phrases: “Be strong.” “You’ve got this.” “Don’t let yourself overthink.” I’ve also asked myself if I’ll ever write about “happy” things again, especially all the happy memories I shared with my sister. I know that the answer... Read more »

By Christine Wolf,
April 23, 2018 at 5:19 pm •

Thank you, Joan Didion. Day 5 of 365

I recently finished Joan Didion’s The Year Of Magical Thinking, a memoir about love, loss and grief. I’ll confess, it might have been the first book I’ve read — word for word, cover to cover — in a couple of years. I’ve never been a fast reader — something I’ve often felt tremendous shame about. And though I love... Read more »

By Christine Wolf,
April 12, 2018 at 8:00 am •

The 1993 Comstock, Michigan Amtrak crash. Reaching out, twenty-five years later, hoping to close old wounds.

I’m mailing the letters tomorrow, and I hope it’s the right thing to do. Twenty-five years ago, on March 10, 1993, I was involved in an Amtrak crash in Comstock, Michigan. One man, Nicholas Bakhuyzen, was killed. Another man, the train’s engineer, James Chiles, received 2nd degree burns on his face, head and arms. Despite Amtrak’s initial... Read more »

By Christine Wolf,
January 28, 2018 at 7:05 pm •

NYE got you down? Hope this helps you feel less alone.

If you’ve ever experienced anything close to breathless sadness or profound loneliness, I understand. If you’ve wondered what tomorrow holds — and how you’ll get through to another morning — I’ve been there. And if you know the indescribable feeling in the pit of your stomach that accompanies a cocktail of uncertainty, confusion and bewilderment,... Read more »

By Christine Wolf,
December 31, 2017 at 7:55 pm •

I Wasn't Speaking To My Alcoholic Dad When He Died

In 2010, I learned about my biological father’s death after another family member read his name in the funeral section of an online church bulletin. At the time, I was a 42-year-old mother of three, and I hadn’t spoken to my father in 19 years. This had been my choice. My father was an alcoholic.... Read more »

By Christine Wolf,
June 29, 2017 at 12:29 am •

I am not a doctor. I just need the ones who listen.

I am not a doctor, nor do I purport to offer any medical advice whatsoever. But as a mother and an advocate for Pandas/Pans Advocacy & Support, this post grew from a place of epic concern. Had you told me my 100th blog post would… 1) discuss a House Bill up for review in the... Read more »

By Christine Wolf,
March 6, 2017 at 11:33 am •

New Trier Grads, Amidst Fierce Opposition, See Race As Nonpartisan Issue, Advocate For Discussion

As administrators and organizers at New Trier High School face fierce opposition toward its upcoming February 28th all-day seminar, Understanding Today’s Struggle for Racial Civil Rights, one vocal opposition group in particular, referring to itself as Parents of New Trier, created this website with the tagline, “Because New Trier’s All School Seminar Day is Biased,... Read more »

By Christine Wolf,
February 16, 2017 at 2:43 pm •

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