Dear Dougy

Dina Gachman's mother died of cancer in 2018 and less than three years later her sister died of alcoholism. A career journalist, Dina turned to writing as one way to make sense of these world altering losses. She recently published, "So Sorry for Your Loss," a series of essays that combine personal reflections with information she gathered from professionals working in the world of grief. In this conversation we discuss: How recalling memories of her mom and sister has become less painful Parenting a young child while grieving  How she realized she needed additional support Finding comfort in the Continuing Bonds theory When grief feels like agitation Approaching the five-year anniversary of her mother's death How her mom continued to care for her even as she was dying The expectation vs. reality of hospice care Using humor as a way to cope - and carry on her mom's legacy Grieving two losses in such close succession Recognizing that grief started when her mom was diagnosed, years before her death The gift of