Peggy Tarr: Life, Grief and Coping

I recently lost two of my family members, a sister and a great-great nephew. Their deaths were/are painful.

Thank goodness, my late mother’s words came to mind: “There are a lot of people a lot worse off than you.” Although her words did not make my grief disappear, they helped me cope.

I immediately turned my thoughts to the people suffering and/or killed in Ukraine, the families and friends of the people – mostly Black – murdered in Buffalo, the families and friends of the schoolchildren murdered in Texas, the families and friends of the grandfather and his grandchildren murdered in Texas. I had not lost my relatives through violence.

In my efforts to refocus, I looked up the month of June and its titles.* The month has many titles, but one stood out for me. That title is National PTSD (Post Traumatic Stress Disorder) Awareness Month. I hope that there are agencies as well as compassionate people that will be there to help those who are suffering and emotionally stressed.

* June includes the following monthly titles: LGBTQIA Pride Month; National Caribbean American Month; African American Music Appreciation Month; Men’s Health Month; National Soul Food Month. June also has many celebratory days which includes: World Environment Day on June 5; Flag Day on June 14; Juneteenth (also known as Freedom Day or Emancipation Day) on June 19; Father’s Day on June 19; National Indigenous Peoples Day on June 21; and also Summer Solstice on June 21.