Acceptance Speech from Shaun Sharp, recipient of COPE Sibling Recognition Award at COPE Golf Outing May 21, 2018 Fran was a loving mother, wife, daughter, sister, aunt and friend. She will forever be missed by all who had the privilege to know her. Fran’s...
Acceptance Speech from Sandra R. Wolkoff, Ph.D., LCSW-R, recipient of COPE Parent Recognition Award and COPE Professional Service Award at COPE Golf Outing May 21, 2018 I want to thank Lilly and the Board of Directors for this honor. Honestly, I wish I had...
Vulnerability Can Be An Act of Courage By Clinical Director, Michelle Graff Grief is an experience that creates a feeling of vulnerability. Brene Brown, famous author, Social Worker, TED talker and professor explains that vulnerability is...
It feels like it was just yesterday. I went to the cemetery this past Saturday, the day before Easter, to plant a beautiful cross in front of his grave site. At that time, I rethought the day I was here burying him on my birthday and it seemed like...
My son Adam would be turning 36 years of age this month (4/26) had he not passed from an overdose at the tender age of 24 in ‘06. Back then, I never could have imagined living without my son all these passing years, and yet here I am. The passage of time allows me to...
Coping with Grief on Mother’s Day Allow yourself to feel your grief Sometimes the anticipation of an actual event is worse than the event itself. By simply recognizing that the upcoming holiday may be difficult you are already engaging in self care. Do...
Dear COPE Families, This will be the first Mother’s Day without my mother. Her loss has brought up all my other losses. Loss triggers loss. My relationship with my mother has brought to the surface my relationship with my daughter. Both began with birth and one...
20 years ago, I lost my older sibling, Sean. He was 25 and I was just shy of my 21st birthday. I missed out on those glory years where all my friends were off celebrating their 20’s in college. I stayed home, trying...
Have you ever paused for a moment and observed your breath? Chances are you haven’t noticed, and that you are probably not taking full advantage of one of the most powerful tools you have. Stress plays a significant role in how we breathe. In fact, the more stressed...
Dear COPE Families, I’ve been talking to the other side for 26 years. This past week, it brought tears to my eyes and pain to my heart to add my mother to that circle of souls. During the time prior to her passing, I spoke to her even...
