At some point, we begin to wake up to our present surroundings. Maybe we realize we want a new top, or want to change the way our furniture is arranged. When we wake up to our surroundings, is it a sign of re-entry into the world? An acknowledgment that life really does go on?

Nothing about grief ever goes in a straight line, but when a shift takes place it can be impactful.

What are some things we can do to lighten the load of grief after a death by overdose? We talk about some of the experiences that have helped us shift our response to our children's deaths.

Getting unstuck is an adjustment. We become accustomed to despair, and when that shifts, or we move out of it a little bit, we need to readjust to a new way of thinking about our children and ourselves.

DeAnne and Astrid discuss how their Thanksgivings went.

A theme that came up - how do you know when it's time to make a change? We get so ingrained in our habits that sometimes it doesn't occur to us that we can stop doing the things we've always done. Because we want to!

In the discussion of revisiting old patterns and ways of doing things, we also talk about what it means to let go of something that once connected us to our children, and rethinking what connection really means.

When you experience a devastating loss, friendships can change. Sometimes for the worse, and sometimes for the better. In this episode, Astrid brings her friend Stacey on to talk about how their friendship has changed since the death of her son.

One of the things I miss most is my sense of connection to my son. I lost it when he died, and now I'm always looking for ways to reconnect. Do you, too?

In this episode, Astrid and Kevin discuss different means of connecting to their son - the things they've tried, what they're open to, and what has worked for them and, sometimes, not worked. What are the things you would try to feel that connection once more?

The title says it all.

In this episode, we discuss the benefits of "giving in." Giving in to how we feel. Giving in to the moment. Letting go of the need to get things done.

Sometimes, after trauma, we go through a process of redefining what's important in our lives. Our goals are reduced. What it means to accomplish something has a different definition.

We have found that focusing on the present moment is helpful. Everyday tasks can become meditative. We experience the moment.

Neither of us is a journaler, although DeAnne recently bought a journal with good intentions. What we can attest to, though, is the power of spontaneous writing exercises to help us understand and see ourselves in different ways.

DeAnne discusses her first experience with a writing prompt, a tool many counselors use to help the ones they work with move forward on their healing journeys. Astrid also has experience with writing prompts, and ended up writing about her experience in a different way.