Writing Through Grief
 
Please join Sarah Kilch Gaffney for “Writing through Grief,” a virtual workshop and discussion through the Hospice Volunteers of Waterville Area, on September 28, 2020, at 6 pm. We will talk about different ways of writing as a way to help us navigate grief, as well as the benefits of keeping a journal. In addition, you’ll have the opportunity to take home some writing prompts, discuss books on grief and loss, and connect with others who are experiencing grief. Any level of participation is welcome, even if you just want to sit and listen, and no writing experience is necessary. To register, email jroy@hvwa.org or call 873-3615 ext.19.

Ever wondered what intrahepatic choleostasis of pregnancy (ICP for short) is? While rare, it's the most common pregnancy-related liver condition and the hallmark symptom is intense itchiness without a rash. While itching during pregnancy might not seem that dangerous, ICP can cause major complications for mom and baby. Learn more about ICP here at Motherfigure.

After writing an essay about my personal experience with preeclampsia as I headed into the final months of my third pregnancy, the folks at the Mothership asked if I would be interested in writing an article about preeclampsia for those looking to learn a little more (and to include all of the extra information I wished I could fit into the essay but didn't have room for).

I was excited to dive in and see what more I could learn, and the article was published earlier this month. You can find it here.

I wrote the essay, "A Geography of Grief," many years ago, a few months after my first husband died from a brain tumor, and it is still one of my favorites of all the essays I have written. It was originally published in Hippocampus Magazine, was recently included in the Grief Becomes You anthology, and now is featured on the gratefulness.org site. You can find the essay here.

I recently had an essay published with The Mothership about my personal experience with preeclampsia during my pregnancies and what I've learned and am keeping an eye out for as we await the arrival of baby #3. The biggest takeaway? Oftentimes there are no outward signs that anything might be wrong. You can read the essay here. Also, apparently I need to work a little harder on getting photos of myself together with the girls, because the accompanying photo is an old one, from just after L was born!

In early 2019, I saw a call for submissions for an anthology about grief. That, I thought, was right up my alley. I reached out to the editor, Maya Stein, and eventually submitted a couple pieces for consideration. After much hard work on Maya's part, Grief Becomes You is now a beautiful testament to grief and loss in book form. Through compiled poems, essays, and photographs, our many narratives and experiences of grief are explored. You can learn more about the Grief Becomes You project here and you can purchase a copy (both digital and print copies are available) here.

I'm pleased to announce that I have a poem, "Scaffolding," and a slightly different version of my previous essay, "A Geography of Grief," forthcoming in Maya Stein's new anthology, Grief Becomes You. To learn more about the project, visit Maya's site here.

I'm pleased to have a flash nonfiction piece, Ischemia, published in Issue #93 March/April 2019 of Hippocampus. It delves into widowhood, cold water, and the fickleness of the circulatory system.

Last month, I was thrilled to be featured in the January 2019 issue of Brain Injury Hope Magazine, which highlighted their 2019 Hope Heroes (I was honored to be selected as one) and featured essays from brain injury survivors and caregivers who are making an impact on the brain injury community. You can read the issue here and find more about the Brain Injury Hope Network on their website.