- All
- Bereavement and End of Life
- Family and Friends
- Health
- My Land and Home
- Nature
- Psychology and Mythology
- Spirituality
My Forest Is a Graveyard
You won’t find bones or bodies. Instead you’ll find natural stone markers, buried ashes, and feathers. Dried flowers, prayers written on small pieces of paper, and Tibetan prayer flags. Vic died on June 3, 2008 and his
Dogs Grieve Too
It’s been a month since my old dog Willow died, and I miss her healing presence. The house feels empty without her calm energy, but my young dog Disco grieves, too. She searches for the one who’s
Gratitude for the Gift of Vision
“You haven’t been here since 2018,” the receptionist says when I call. “Have you seen another ophthalmologist since then?” “No. I had other things going on.” She doesn’t need to hear about a cochlear implant in 2019
Love and Loss with A Soul Animal
“Want to go outside, Willow?” I asked in a gentle voice. She struggled to her feet, stepped forward, and stretched her painful back legs. Her hind knees had ACL surgery when she was young and they stiffened
My Beloved Sons
The two of you sent a photo from David’s home in North Carolina last week. You’re 52 and 49 now, but the photo reminds me of a 1974 photo of curly headed four-year-old David holding six-month-old smiling
Hopeful Signs of Spring
February was unusually warm and calm in the New York Finger Lakes, a quiet time for walks with friends on dry forest trails. The birds knew better than to sing love songs that early. I trusted them
Dark Sky Magic and the Planetary Dance
In late February, my son David who lives in North Carolina sent a text to his brother and me. “Did you see the sky?” he asked, including a cell phone photo of the evening sky taken in
Imagining a Visit from Eros
My dream visitor follows me as I walk up the trail with my dogs. I love the feel of him behind me. “What do you want to do today?” he asks. “I want to watch the sunset.”
Imbolc: Spring Awakens in the Belly of the Earth
I watch the sun on the western horizon all year. Its setting spot barely moves near Solstices, but in February, the sun travels north over the oak and pine canopy in plain sight from my windows. Up
No Cell Phone and a Great Excuse For Being Late
Snow pelted the windows and obscured the black night sky. It was 6 pm and my husband Vic was usually home by 5:30. I’d been through this before because we lived in a lake effect snow area
Subscribe
Upcoming Events
-
- No Events
Elaine Mansfield
In my twenties, I married, nurtured my growing family, practiced yoga and meditation, and became a vegetarian and organic gardener. In my thirties, I became a nutrition and preventive health care counselor. In my forties, I studied natural approaches to menopause. In my fifties, I transformed my body with strength training and became a Certified Personal Trainer. In my early sixties, I lectured and wrote about strength training, bone health, nutrition, and healthy aging. Now, in my mid sixties, I am dealing with the death of my husband while writing about love, loss, and continuing bonds.
You’ll find old articles, guides, and stories in the sections on Bereavement, Exercise, and Nutrition. You can keep up with the latest stories and announcements on my blog.
Elaine Mansfield’s memoir Leaning into Love: A Spiritual Journey through Grief is now available from Larson Publications.