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Kellyn Shoecraft
Kellyn Shoecraft

96 Followers

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Feb 2, 2021

A letter to My (Dead) Sister About her Little Boy

In the first few years of my grief, writing was an enormously helpful outlet. But, in the past year, I’ve lost (temporarily?) the urge to write. Maybe because of the pandemic, maybe because I fell out of the habit. …

Death

4 min read

A letter to My (Dead) Sister About her Little Boy
A letter to My (Dead) Sister About her Little Boy
Death

4 min read


Jul 5, 2020

Grief and Marriage

A relationship defined by loss — My husband, Nate, and I started “courting” in the fall of 2003. I choose that term because it’s the only one I can think of to accurately describe the bizarre song and dance of our early affection. This confusing period lasted from the day I noticed our AIM conversations had…

Grief

13 min read

Grief and Marriage
Grief and Marriage
Grief

13 min read


Published in

P.S. I Love You

·May 26, 2020

My Sister’s Sisters

Two families separated by divorce reunite at a funeral — My sister, Alison, was biologically my half-sibling, but I never described her that way. Our mom and her dad divorced when she was a baby, and our parents married when she was two. She grew up calling my dad, ‘Dad,’ and that’s why I use the term ‘our parents’ throughout…

Siblings

6 min read

My Sister’s Sisters
My Sister’s Sisters
Siblings

6 min read


Feb 7, 2020

Carmella Spagnolo | 1927–2019

A Glimpse into the Reign of the Duchess of Dunwoodie — It’s hard to accurately describe my grandmother, Millie Spagnolo, who from now on I’ll refer to by her real name, which is Nanny. As a child, after hearing one of my stories about Nanny, a friend asked, “Oh, is that your mean grandma?” Mean is not the right word, not…

Eulogy

7 min read

Carmella Spagnolo | 1927–2019
Carmella Spagnolo | 1927–2019
Eulogy

7 min read


Jan 24, 2020

Hidden Grief

The ‘shameful’ thoughts the bereaved are reluctant to disclose — Soon after my dad died in 2004, I came to the logical conclusion that I was evil. I told my new boyfriend about it in a jokey manner, my go-to approach for serious yet scary conversations. “I’m about 80% evil. Just thought you should know…” I casually mentioned while using…

Death

6 min read

Hidden Grief
Hidden Grief
Death

6 min read


Dec 19, 2019

It’s The Most Difficult Time Of The Year

Six practical ideas for supporting a bereaved friend or family member during the holidays — Chances are that you know someone who has had a very difficult 2019. Maybe they lost a friend or family member, maybe someone they love is physically here but is suffering from dementia, substance use disorder, or end-stage illness. …

Holidays

4 min read

It’s The Most Difficult Time Of The Year
It’s The Most Difficult Time Of The Year
Holidays

4 min read


Dec 13, 2019

Making a List

How the Bereaved Keep Score — There is a grief underbelly: a dark and damp place swirling with thoughts that many grievers have but are too ashamed to admit. If these thoughts are ever spoken aloud it’s almost never in every-day conversation with ordinary people. Instead, you may hear them uttered in the safe spaces of…

Death

7 min read

Making a List
Making a List
Death

7 min read


Nov 24, 2019

The Bereaved’s Guide to Thanksgiving

4 Tips for Making the Holiday More Manageable —

Cartoon

2 min read

The Bereaved’s Guide to Thanksgiving
The Bereaved’s Guide to Thanksgiving
Cartoon

2 min read


Nov 20, 2019

Supporting Children with their Grief

Creating Photo Books to Keep the Deceased Present for Young Grievers — This is Part I of a series on childhood grief. Part II, on talking to children about death and dying, may be found here. This Thursday, November 21st is Children’s Grief Awareness Day. Childhood grief can run deep, but because children can move from tears to laughs and smiles in…

Grief

10 min read

Helping Children Grieve
Helping Children Grieve
Grief

10 min read


Nov 20, 2019

Talking with Children about Death & Dying

It turns out that honesty really is the best policy — Part II of a series in honor of Children’s Grief Awareness Day. Part I, on helping children grieve with remembrance books, may be found here. Death and grief are notoriously awkward subjects for most adults. We are caught up in what to say and how to say it. We never…

Death

8 min read

Talking with Children about Death & Dying
Talking with Children about Death & Dying
Death

8 min read

Kellyn Shoecraft

Kellyn Shoecraft

96 Followers

Navigating sibling & parent loss and trying to change the way people support each other in grief. Founder at www.hereforyou.co

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