book history. historical geographer. griefblogger.
With each of my son's birthdays I have made a commitment to celebrating his memory. I travel to the land of my ancestors, close to where he was born and sit in the strength and courage of that genealogical courage and sacrifice as I wade through the sorrow of my son's absence from this realm.
The days leading up to Christmas Day 2023 were brutal. I experienced a grief bomb that had me crying 13 times in 24 hour period.
When I told Anna how confused I was by fall bird migration because I am now in the North, she wrote me a poem:
Today is the 3rd anniversary of my son's passing. I am in Hyannis, MA on Cape Cod near the sea. I am in griefwork meditation and communion with God, Nature, and Spirit.
And remember, just because something has never been done, just because no one is there to help you argue your case, still go after what you want. Grief has taught me that I will often fight many battles alone.
I drove down to Laurinburg, N.C. where my parents live to celebrate Ricky's 17th heavenly birthday. Ricky loved visiting Laurinburg and some of his happiest memories are here.
I want to thank Morgan Rose Shelor, Katrina Stack, Kayla Roulhac, Derek Alderman, LaToya Eaves, Nikki Luke, and Alex Moulton for logistical excellence, kindness, and intellectual bridging during my visit.
I just arrived back in Starkville from ASALH. What a time!
A deep wound that will forever pierce my soul is something I live with every day. As a griever and devoted grief worker, I had to find a way to make meaning out of the death anniversary. Or as a call it Ricky's Day of Ascension.
In what follows I share my dissertation acknowledgments, followed by photos of the day. Thank you!
The other day many of us learned that the DSM (Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders ) added "prolonged grief disorder" to its list of mental illnesses.
I hope you all will wish Ricky a happy birthday with me and his family today.
Christy Hyman 