Ryan's Place Blog

For me, journaling has always been a cathartic way to put my thoughts and feelings into words.  Writing over the years has helped me to process my grief, anxiety, and feelings of helplessness.  Words are powerful. Putting them onto paper, or onto a computer screen,...

Birthdays after a loved one has died can be very difficult. Birthdays are another painful reminder of the things that are missing after someone dies, as well as a reminder of the years they didn’t get to live. Some people find comfort in continuing to celebrate their...

One of my favorite things to talk about in grief groups is the science behind tears. Our culture tells us certain messages about what grieving should look like, what is okay and acceptable. Phrases like “real men don’t cry”, "you’re being overemotional”, and that we...

One book we often read at Ryan’s Place is “The Invisible String” by Patrice Karst.  This book is great for children and adults of all ages.  It reminds us that we are connected to one another, in this case by an invisible string, even though we are apart.  When...

When grieving, and in times of stress and difficulty, it is easy to get caught up in unpleasant emotions like sadness, anger, frustration, distress. When this happens, it can be hard to get oneself out of those unpleasant emotions and back into a space that feels more...

As April showers bring May flowers, consider planting a memory garden this spring. Memory gardens are a great way to pay tribute to our loved ones. The act of planting and enjoying the garden can bring you comfort and a connection with them.  There’s no right way to...

Onward is a story about two elven brothers, Ian and Barley, embarking on a quest to find an artifact that brings their deceased father back for one day. Their father died of a severe illness shortly before Ian was born. On Ian’s 16th birthday, his mother gives the...

Over the last eight months, I have been fortunate enough to be a part of The Elkhart Chamber of Commerce Leadership Academy. This program focuses on educating members about their community, leadership skills, and how to work with a wide variety of personality types....

“Up” tells a story about love, grief, and adventure. Young Carl and young Ellie become best friends and later a married couple. They promised each other they will travel together to Paradise Falls and build a house there. Years later, Ellie becomes sick, and Carl...

These days it’s common to see people walking around wearing masks.  Masks are useful.  We use them to protect ourselves in certain situations.  I can’t help but think about the unseen masks we wear while grieving.  Our masks keep us emotionally...