Category Archives: Death

Promises to keep

Posted on October 7, 2015 by bakrawiec

Here, in celebration of Random Acts of Poetry Day today, is a poem by Robert Frost. You might be familiar with the last lines. (Now, in retirement, these ending words take on even greater meaning, I think!) Stopping by Woods … Continue reading →

Posted in Death, Poems, Poetry, Promises, Random Acts of Poetry, Retirement | Leave a comment

Happy Grandparents Day–Part 1

Posted on September 12, 2015 by bakrawiec

Tomorrow is Grandparents Day– for some, a day to gratefully celebrate others (biological elders or not) who have “grandparented” them; for grateful others, to be the ones being celebrated as “grandparents.” Whichever category you are in, it is good to … Continue reading →

Posted in Children, Death, Dying, Family, Retirement, Transitions, Writing | Leave a comment

First Sept. 11th–remembering how terror hit home that day

Posted on September 11, 2015 by bakrawiec

It’s another September 11th. Seems like a miracle thinking back to how bleak the future looked on the first September 11th, in the wake of the unfathomable terrorist attacks. That first memorable September 11th morning, I was at work in … Continue reading →

Posted in Death, Dying, September 11, Terrorism | Leave a comment

surprised by grief

Posted on August 29, 2015 by bakrawiec

When my father died, a close friend, whose mother and father had died–just two weeks apart, and about eight months before my father’s death—gently counseled me. “Be prepared for a roller coaster of emotions,” she said. “One minute you think … Continue reading →

Posted in Death, Dying, Grief, Retirement, Teachers, Teaching, Transitions | 4 Comments

Thoughts of death—how much did I know? (Part 1)

Posted on August 23, 2015 by bakrawiec

Like it or not, impending retirement has set in motion for me thoughts of the final retirement from this life as we know it: death. Not that I haven’t already done considerable–willing and unwilling–dying along the way. “Dying to self” … Continue reading →

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Thoughts of death—how much did I know? (Part 2)

Posted on August 23, 2015 by bakrawiec

Believing without a doubt in an afterlife, I look forward to knowing the answers to some elusive questions that have arisen in this life. Likewise, I have no doubt that I will get answers to questions I’ve never even thought … Continue reading →

Posted in Death, Dying, Living, Retirement, Transitions | Leave a comment