Author: swebstart

Love and Light in Newark

In honor of Black History Month, I want to share more love and light with you from our collective work and our mission. 

Got Grief? It’s that holiday time of year.

For years after my father died my mom carried on at the holidays as if nothing had changed. Her intentions were good — to keep things the same and not bring any sadness into the room.  But things weren’t the same, there was a person missing. My dad.  The person who sawed off the bottom of the tree to fit into the tree stand.  And who wired the tree with lights and watched as we all decorated it with the familiar ornaments and sipped hot chocolate.  Except now I was the one trying to saw off the bottom of the tree and get the lights on just so the way my mom liked. His missing presence lodged itself like a lump in my throat and sometimes it was all I could do not to cry.  Not to cry.

Grief AND Gratitude: Living in the “AND” During the Holidays

Recently I asked a friend how he dealt with the death of his mother right before he went away to college. Without skipping a beat, he said, “I learned how to live in the “AND”. I am sure I looked confused, so he explained, “I was really sad about my dad AND I wanted to enjoy college, so I continued to missed my dad AND I had fun.”

Imagine Seeks Volunteers for Summer Training Classes

Volunteers come from all walks of life and no special background is required other than a willingness to listen, a heart inclined to serve, and the ability to be with children and adults in pain without trying to fix, solve or give advice. No prior experience is necessary.

Imagine Founder Recognized as NJ Business Leader over 60

Mary Robinson, Founder of Imagine, A Center for Coping with Loss, was awarded with the 2021 NJBiz Icon Award which recognizes New Jersey business leaders over the age of 60 for their contributions, success and their leadership.