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Our deceased loved ones reach out to us constantly, and they do it in every way they possibly can. They want us to feel their presence so we’ll know that they are well and that they are not gone. There are many different ways our loved ones try to contact us, some ways are overt, others are more subtle. When you learn to recognize these cues from them, you can enjoy the love and the comfort they are sending to you.

I’m often asked if our deceased loved ones think about us, can see us or give any thought to our experiences once they’ve crossed over. The answer is yes, absolutely.

In fact, when our loved ones leave their bodies and go to the Other Side they become acutely aware of subtleties they might not have seen when they were bound to their human body. Our loved ones are aware of what we feel, our joys and our sorrows and they know the challenges we face. They know about our accomplishments and our celebrations and they know of our losses, too. Typically, they know what’s about to happen in our lives before we do.

They’re also less encumbered emotionally than they were when they were here. So, they’re often more able to offer much needed love and support and encouragement than they might have when they were here.

Someone once asked me, “If our loved ones are in heaven and they have everything they could need or want, why would they want to come back here?” Let’s turn that question around for a moment.

If you left today, think of how determined you would be to keep up with your loved ones as time moved on. Quite naturally you would want to come back to see your children marry, you’d be checking in on them to know if they were happy, and if not, why not. If you could offer them any guidance to help them, you would; and you’d try every way possible to get that guidance to them in a way that they could see or hear or feel it.

You would want to know what type of parent they’d become, you’d want to be there for the birthdays, the holidays and the celebrations. And when a child’s or parent’s or other loved one’s life was over, you’d want to be there for them when it was time for their transition.

The love we share in our relationships continue on, even in the face of death. Because of that, it’s a very natural instinct for those we’ve known and loved, who are now on the Other Side, to reach out to us. Here are a few ways they do that:

1. Dreams - Our dreams are one of the easiest ways for our loved ones to reach us. At night, when we’re deeply asleep, our resistance and our disbelief relaxes; so it makes it easier for our loved ones to make themselves seen and heard. When we’re awake, it’s too easy for us discount our mystical experiences as a coincidence or a trick of the mind. The mother of a friend of mine deeply enjoyed her frequent, dream-time visits from her husband after he died. She would wake up the next morning feeling deeply loved and connected to him. Our dreams are an open field for our loved ones to be seen and deliver messages of love and comfort. Pay attention to how you feel after you’ve seen a departed loved one in your dreams and notice how healing those visits are for you.

2. Music - Sometimes those from the other side get our attention through certain songs or lyrics. They’re able to bring our attention to the words and the melodies that have a special meaning.

3. Books - During a reading with a client, his close family friend from the other side told me that she made her presence known to him by picking out books for him. When I asked him what she meant by that he told me that when he was in book stores that books literally fell off the shelves and into his hands. He often found significance in the titles and sometimes the content of the books. It made him realize she was still watching out for him and had his best interests at heart.

4. Etheric Scents - Sometimes loved ones from the Other Side make themselves known by bringing memorable scents to our attention. These smells might resemble a perfume or after-shave they wore, or a favorite drink or cigar they used to enjoy. When Terri smells cigarette smoke (when no cigarettes are around) she knows her uncle is near. When Tom smells homemade chocolate chip cookies for just a brief moment (when none are present) he knows that’s his Grandmother’s way of letting him know she’s with him and watching over him.

5. Overt Messages - Our loved ones know about special opportunities to make their messages known well in advance of their happening. Lena, a writer, and her mother walked through the airport on their way on to their vacation. There was construction going on in certain areas of airport so bare sheet rock was often visible as they made their way to their gate. As Lena got off the escalator with her mom, she had a sense of her recently deceased and much loved uncle. She looked to her left and saw the words that were printed on the sheet rock were cut off such that they revealed his name. “Look Mom,” said Lena, “it’s uncle Rocco letting us know he’s still with us.”

Melissa Van Rossum is an accomplished psychic, empath and author. Her life’s work is to help people realize their dreams by finding their Divine Guidance. Their Way Home shares stories of her encounters with ghosts, who searched her out to guide them home. To learn more, visit All You’ve Ever Known and Their Way Home.

Ghosts are people who, after their death, choose not to cross over to the Other Side, for various reasons. Sometimes they’ve died a tragic death and they don’t recognize that they’re dead. Other times they’re trying to work out unfinished business and on occasion they’re afraid they’ll experience judgment and punishment if they cross over - so they don’t. Unfortunately there are many ill-effects of this short-sighted decision.

Several things happen once you leave your body. First, very few people - other than a few psychics - can see, hear or interact with you. So your existence becomes very, very lonely. Second, after you die you can hear others’ thoughts and feel their feelings. This might be entertaining in the short term, but in the long term it’s demoralizing. (Think about the amount of greed, hatred and suffering in the world.) And third, your life is over at this point. There’s nothing left for you to do here and your life becomes empty and depressing, which is crazy-making.

Ghosts don’t consciously choose this miserable life, no more than the living consciously choose to live tragic and depressed lives. But, like the living, they end up in this sad existence because they haven’t faced the challenges and spiritual lessons of their lives. Here are 5 ways you can avoid making the same mistake with your life:

1. Face Your Fears - This may seem easier said than done, but ultimately everyone has to face their fears. If you don’t they will, like a ghost, haunt you for the rest of your life. Unresolved fears have a way of re-presenting themselves in your life again and again until you learn how to face and overcome them. Every ghost I’ve ever met has tried to run from their greatest fears, to a futile end. Just remember, there is always an answer and a way through every challenge you face.

2. Seek Out Healing - If you’ve been abused, emotionally or physically, seek out healing. There are many wonderful resources available today that can offer real solutions and real healing. Most of the ghosts I’ve encountered were too afraid to seek out the healing they needed, and as they suffered in life, so they suffered in death. If you’ve been ‘burned’ by therapists or support groups and are not willing to reach out, then consider my book All You’ve Ever Known to help you chart your own course into real healing (at the All You’ve Ever Known website ).

3. Resolve Your Conflicts - People who become ghosts have not found meaning in their experiences, particularly the challenging ones. They stay mired in the distress and the resentment and fail to find a path beyond it all. If you’re going to live a healthy life and interact with others, then regretfully, dealing with betrayal, disagreements, and ignorant and childish behavior is a part of life. You’ll find the serene, inner peace you’re looking for when you can find the spiritual reasons for the unpleasant events of your life as well as a way to evolve beyond them.

4. Learn to Let Go - Though it may not always look like it, as an empath I can tell you that life is hard for many, many people. We all experience pain, mistreatment, injustice, loss and inequity, and you have to find a way to resolve your hurts in order to create a happy and rewarding life. I’ve met several ghost brides who stayed on the earth long after their death because they couldn’t get past the betrayal and abandonment of being left at the altar. In order to heal and put the past behind you, you need to tap into Divine Guidance for direction and healing wisdom.

5. Strive to Learn and Evolve - Not once have I ever met a ghost who had invested their life bettering themselves. I’ve met several ghosts who lived very religious lives, but none who were serious about learning and evolving. Truly, they were simply too afraid.

Strive for spiritual and personal growth and you will have the one thing that ghosts do not - a connection with a Divine force that will guide you throughout your life and beyond. If you’d like to learn how you can successfully overcome your fears, find healing, resolve the conflicts of your life, learn to let go, then get connected with All You’ve Ever Known, a book that will help you to do all of these things and more. The website is listed below.

Melissa Van Rossum is an accomplished psychic, empath and author. Her life’s work is to help people realize their dreams by finding their Divine Guidance. Their Way Home shares stories of her encounters with ghosts, who searched her out to guide them home. To learn more, visit All You’ve Ever Known and Their Way Home.

Death is a robber and thief, takes away, but grief and sorrow can give it back. As hard as it is and perhaps daunting at the time it is possible to recover from grief with new strengths, a new focus and a new direction. To grieve is natural and healthy. The healing process starts as you release your grief, and start to recognize and sort your emotions ( which can be conflicting at times) and move to the acceptance of your loved ones death. The healing process will bring an increased awareness and new understanding.

A child once told me that she had seen a rainbow near the beach where she and her deceased brother had played. She said that the rainbow was his way of letting her know that everything was okay and she should stop worrying about him.

What is synonymous of New Zealand are the number of crosses that have been erected along roadways to mark the death of a loved one in a fatal accident. This is not only a reminder for the families setting up a memorial for there loved one but has made the public aware of a death and to slow down. Many of these road side memorials are lovingly cared for (with flowers) year after year.

Whether it is a cross or rainbow we all need something in our lives when a loved one dies. We need to arrive at that place of rest and peace, and go on with our lives whether we are six years old or sixty.

5. Ways to Commemorate a loved one.

1. Celebrate the life on the day of death.

Make this a special day for you and your family. I know of a family who always made it a fun day - a meal out and a visit to the movies.

2. Plant a tree

A tree represents new life and a living tribute to the deceased. As the tree grows tall and strong in stature so will you and the family.

3. Display Photographs.

Make a display board for the photos. I saw a wonderful example of photos enlarged on the photocopier then pasted on a large piece of particle board. As the photos were not all the same size they overlapped. The board was then sprayed with a clear sealant. It would make a wonderful activity for children.

4. Visit the grave.

Let this time be a positive reflection, not occasions for sadness. You might find it comforting to voice your thoughts and feelings to the loved one. If you have children present make sure that they understand that this is not “contacting” the person but rather the expression of comforting oneself.

5. Establish a commemorative tradition in the community.

Create a scholarship fund at your local school, give a trophy to a football team, maintain a flower bed in your neighborhood or city ………these are all uplifting and lasting ways to commemorate the deceased.

Commemoration is a vital part of healing and recovery. It promotes acceptance of the loss and helps the survivors move forward.

There is no longer any room for guilt, remorse, or regret. Instead we are filled with love and peace.

I will leave you with a prayer written in 1934 by Reinhold Niebuhr:

God, grant us the serenity to accept the things we cannot change,

Courage to change the things we can,

And wisdom to now the difference.

Visit http://www.stitchedportraits.com. for commissioned portraits. Let me do an embroidered portrait from your photo. What a wonderful everlasting remembrance of your loved one

Funeral flowers chosen by the next of kin or close family for the top of the casket or coffin are usually diamond shaped or flowers made into the traditional shape of a cross. The size of the casket flowers are quite often dependant on the size of the coffin however, the same designs are available in varying lengths to accommodate this. Elongated sprays are traditionally made from white lilies with lush green foliage while crosses are normally composed from chrysanthemums or lisianthus, either on there own in the same colour or interspersed with other seasonal flowers. Contemporary designs using the shape of a cross using a few roses and dark green foliage may suit a younger person’s casket.

Heart shaped, circular or square design cushions are a popular choice of funeral flowers for close relatives to send. They comprise of tightly packed flowers, usually chrysanthemums or roses of the same colour with delicate edging of a complementary colour and a simple spray of coloured flowers gently placed at an angle across one corner of the cushion. In lisianthus, white is generally the predominant colour for the cushion bed while the spray can be made from any colour, deep reds and crimsons can look very tasteful. An open intertwined double heart is a popular choice for a partner of the deceased to send, it is possible for the florists to use any small delicate bloomed flower to achieve a serene effect.

Special tributes such as names or items such as footballs or angels can be made by the florist who will work with you and provide guidance and support at this emotional time. Special tributes for children in the shape of a small bear or an arrangement which is upright, such as the gates of heaven, can be made by the florist to express your thoughts at this difficult time.

Funeral flowers in the shape of a teardrop spray or sheath are made with a flat bottom to lay close to the main casket arrangement and are sent by close family members. The flowers are quite often all of the same subtle pastel shades interspersed with foliage. It is common to use white lilies or carnations in these styles of designs. A modern look can be achieved by using a few white Calla lilies laid on deep green foliage and finished with a hand tied bow also made from foliage. Sprays and sheaths can be made in a variety of sizes, it can be a nice touch if the florist incorporates the deceased favourite flower colour and type into the arrangement.

Wreaths in their classic circular design are believed to represent eternal life and never ending love, they are an excellent choice for all family members or friends to send as funeral flowers. The wreaths can be made using classic seasonal flowers packed tightly into the wreath or more exotic and contemporary designs are becoming increasingly favoured by younger people who are looking for something appealing and unusual. Circular willow frames interwoven with Steel grasses and decorated with pastel tones and pale green wispy foliage is an example of a delicate and yet stunning creation which denotes never ending devotion.

Flowers direct are UK flower delivery experts, specializing in Funeral flowers and Sympathy flowers.

They come each Sunday with their flowers and beach chairs, their photos and mementos of times now past, to sit by the beloved headstones that mark the last resting place of their warrior sons or daughters, these women of Section Sixty. Despite the fact that Arlington National Cemetery has strict regulations regarding decorating trees that stand amongst the headstones, or leaving pictures and sweet remembrances at the gravesites, these mothers leave them nonetheless, even knowing that in a week, or two, or three, they will be swept away by the ground’s caretakers, and that they will come back afterward with new pictures, new flowers, new love.

The Cemetery has become a gathering place for the tears of the mothers who have lost sons in America’s current battlegrounds, and also for the sharing of sympathy, of love, of strength, of courage. They meet each other beside the familiar gravesites, waving ‘hello’ softly to those who are now familiar to the heart, leaving alone those who seem to need their privacy – the ones who have eyes and hearts only open to one voice, one image, one heart – the heart of the one who lays in the ground.

The mothers who return week after week come with small rituals – one with a journal that she writes in, another with balloons to celebrate a birthday or anniversary, a third with a letter, a toy, or a small gift from a young child barely old enough to remember the one lost – a sister or brother who is growing up with a legend instead of a living being. These young ones do not understand death yet, and still they know what reverence is without knowing what the word means. They know enough to leave their small offerings in the hands of the mothers who convey to the headstones, messages from those beloved ones they will never know.

One mother has been coming weekly for the past three years. She is the oldest member of the Sunday group. She says, when asked about the special balloons she brought, that it is her son’s birthday, the third since his death. That she thought it would get easier three years later, but it has gotten harder, for only now is she beginning to realize the finality of it all. Only now is she feeling that he is never coming back. And as she says this to one of the other women - as they both sit and gaze at each other and at the vast sea of white headstones marking the endless rows of graves - as she says this, a tear slides down her face. Just a single tear. All of the tears of the past are now rolled into this one.

The woman she speaks to is silent. She understands silently. She nods, silently. She sits and stares at the flowers she has placed at the based of the headstone – yellow and white daisies and a few white and pink carnations tied with a florist’s bow. They speak to the heart in this sea of solemn markers. They speak of love, of remembrance, of a bond that is only truly known to a mother’s heart.

Each of the mothers of Section Sixty carries the threads of the relationship forward in the only way she knows how, by vanquishing death, by allowing, indeed, insisting, that love is stronger than death and that therefore the relationship goes on and on, as it needs to, as it must.

This tribute to love is fathomless and eternal. It is unending and deep as the ocean is deep. Through Summer, Fall, Winter, and Spring, it outlives all that would deny it, all that would seek to place it in a box and put it on a shelf somewhere. Instead, these warrior mothers remain fierce in their devotion to their sons, to each other, to the life of their own hearts. They remain fierce in their determination to remember, to never forget, to never allow love’s embers to die out.

This is their endless gift, the gift that allows love to triumph over death, and they give it willingly, gladly, with an inner need that is ultimately compelling. Over and over they will give this gift until the body tires and the eyes close, and even then, the heart will still remember.

Julie Redstone is a writer, teacher, and founder of Light Omega, a spiritual teaching and healing center in Western Massachusetts. She is also the author of a number of other articles on death and dying.

This article was inspired by an NPR Morning Edition report called “Mothers Bound Together by the Cost of War” by Ari Shapiro and Jim Wildman, June 23, 2008.

Death, both to the living and to the dying, means many different things. To some extent the meaning is different from person to person but many times our thoughts are based on our religion. Each religion around the world has their own view on death, the process of dying, and what is done after death. These perspectives help those who believe make death more acceptable. Many credit their faith with helping them deal with a mortality issue and others look to their faith in order to help them understand the passing of those they love. Grief is a powerful emotion and how we deal with it may have much to do with our faith.

The Christian Perspective

The Christian grief process is generally guided by scripture from the bible because there are statements such as, “There is a time to be born, and a time to die.” This gives believers the knowledge that we all have our time. For Christians, death is a part of life and many Christians believe that it is their duty to take care of the dying as they wait for Jesus to return. Christians have a wide variety of beliefs after death, but most believe that death is just another part of the journey as we all experience eternal life so long as one believes in Jesus Christ.

The Islamic Perspective

In the Islamic faith grief is something that involves the person dying as well as those around him or her. When someone is dying in this faith it is the job of the friends and family to gather around the ill person and help them remember their commitment to God. Muslims believe that death is the will of Allah. After death the body is washed and wrapped in a shroud. There are specific prayers that are to be said and the body is to be laid on the right side facing the direction of Makkah. In the Islamic faith the family members are to pay off any debts of the deceased soon after death as they anticipate the person being judged after death and want the process to be as favorable as possible. Bereavement in this faith is often accompanied by constant prayer, charity, fasting, and pilgrimage.

The Hindu Perspective

Many people have commented over the ages that grief management seems a lot easier for the people of this faith. While this may or may not be true, it could be owed to the fact that those that practice this religion believe in the rebirth as well as the reincarnation of souls. Practitioners believe that death is simply part of the experience, and that after a time the soul will adjust and return to physical form again. There are two paths for the soul to take after death; the path of the sun and the path of the moon. Those that take the path of the sun will never return again but those that take the path of the moon will return. Many different rituals have been practiced for thousands of years and may help with the grief process.

The Buddhist Perspective

The Buddhist perspective of death is quite interesting and is said to make grief not so troublesome for those that have suffered a loss. The practitioners of this faith do not look at death as a sad event, rather the breaking apart from the material world and material that we are composed of. A Buddhist believes that the soul awakens at death. Before the death friends and family like to be with the person to help them achieve the right state of mind as they go into death. One needs to think of death as their rebirth into another, and perhaps greater, realm than the human world can offer.

The Jewish Perspective

Not unlike Christians, those that are Jewish tend to view death as a natural experience. Many Jewish people believe that death gives life more meaning and that because we know we all must die sometime, we should spend each day living the more pure and ethical life possible. Unlike a lot of faiths, Judaism is a bit different in that they don’t believe that all believers will simply go to Heaven or Hell based on their belief or lack thereof. Instead, each individual will be judged on their ethical behavior during life. For this reason, Jewish people view death as natural but their final judgment by God.

Religious Perspective and Grief Management

As you can see, each religion has their own take on death and this perspective is often what gives people the ability to get through the loss of their loved ones and still have a zest for life. While religion may help to comfort those that are left behind after death, it does not mean that the loss of a loved one will be easy. Grief, no matter what faith you believe in, is a very real and necessary part of the death experience for those who are still living. Strive to comfort yourself with faith based knowledge, but also allow yourself to get depression and grief counseling if you feel you need it, or simply surround yourself with supportive people. You can learn more about the grief process and how others deal with death by visiting GriefManagement.

Mike Vines, in association with GriefManagement.org and GriefManagement.org Forums, seeks to provide a safe and congenial home to those suffering from grief, along with the hope and understanding from a community of concerned individuals willing to share their own experiences to help others through the difficulties of life.

Having someone that you love commit suicide is one of the most painful human experiences imaginable. It is a sort of grief that is hard to imagine unless you are aware of the victim’s circumstances or know them personally. Even if you have experienced the loss of many other loved ones, even through tragic circumstances, dealing with the grief of someone who is gone because they took their own life is so much different. Regardless of your age or your gender, or that of the person who has passed away, dealing with suicide is never easy. It is a grief that seems more personal than any other kind, and leaves us wondering, sometimes for the rest of our lives, the true cause of their final act of desperation.

A Different Kind of Grief

Dealing with the loss of a loved one whose death was a result of suicide is very challenging. In addition to the immense feelings of loss and sadness you may also be experiencing shock, blame, anger, and trouble understanding what went wrong. A suicide is usually an unexpected death, so it is hard dealing with all of these feelings at the same time. Many people have described the grief process of someone who died of suicide as a terrible roller coaster that just won’t end.

There are many feelings that come with the death of someone that you love in this manner. Some of the feelings that are experienced are guilt, blame, anger, shame, confusion, relief, despair, betrayal, and of course abandonment. This mix of emotions is understandably overwhelming and as a result the grieving individual may feel that they are very disconnected from the person who has passed away as well as those that are still living.

Many people who are grieving after a suicide become obsessed with the need to understand the person’s reasons for their action. This can be an overwhelming need, and one that can never be fulfilled. Because of this, there may be a huge sense of responsibility for the death. Other people get angry and feel as though the deceased went about the suicide as a hateful act; to get back at them for something.

The Stigma Attached with Suicide

The stigma attached with suicide truly does affect the mourning process, more so than a lot of people realize. There are many cultural taboos and religious beliefs attached to suicide that can lead one to be unfairly judged by friends when they really need them the most. Many people avoid the subject of suicide altogether, not ever allowing themselves the time to deal with the grief that they are feeling. The stigma attached to suicide really does leave a lot of people feeling very isolated and stressed out which can make the grief process all the more difficult, and may leave some at risk for suicide or suicidal ideation themselves.

You’re Not Alone

When you are coping with the loss of someone that you love and you are dealing with the mix of emotions and the compounded grief experienced by those touched by suicide, you should know that you are not alone. Annually there are 10 to 20 million people who attempt to commit suicide, and they are people of all ages, races, and social status. In fact, one in four people know someone who has passed away through this means. Men over the age of 70 are more likely to commit suicide though it is seen in people of all ages from the very young to the very old.

Coping with Your Loss

Are you struggling with the loss of someone who died through the act of suicide? It can be very difficult but you need to remember that you are not alone. Coping with the loss is something that everyone does differently, but there are some things that you can do to help yourself move through the grief process. First and foremost, you need to acknowledge the suicide even though it may be against your religious or cultural belief. Next, you should recognize your feelings and the loss that you have experienced. Be sure to talk openly with your friends and family members about your grief, reaching out to your friends.

Many people find that support groups specifically for those that have been affected by suicide are very helpful. There are groups of this type for every age group, so you’ll be sure to find one where you fit right in. Also give yourself permission to struggle with birthdays and anniversaries that are tied to the deceased, as these can be the most difficult times during the year. Try creating or perpetuating a familiar routine that will honor the person that you loved, and their life.

Dealing with the loss of a loved one through suicide is difficult and if you are struggling and just need to talk to someone there is always someone you can reach out to. Even if you don’t feel like you can talk to your friends and you don’t want to burden your family members, there are still other resources. Visit Befrienders Worldwide and you’ll find that there are plenty of people that can help you through this very difficult time. And don’t forget the GriefManagement Forums where a community of folks just like you is willing to share their experiences and offer the support you need.

Mike Vines, in association with GriefManagement.org and GriefManagement.org Forums, seeks to provide a safe and congenial home to those suffering from grief, along with the hope and understanding from a community of concerned individuals willing to share their own experiences to help others through the difficulties of life.

Sound like a sci-fi scenario? - Unfortunately it is too real. A new and very virulent mutant pathogen has infected patients in hospitals in at least 38 states. Because cases of the infection by these bacteria are not reported in many states, the incidence of infection is likely increasing at a much more rapid rate than has been recognized. Alerts have been sent out by the CDC and other offices responsible for communicable disease control in the U.S. This new epidemic strain of anti-biotic resistant bacteria is now suddenly ranked with MRSA or methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureas (aka Staph) as the top 2 potentially deadly infections that can be contracted during a hospital visit.

What is this new bacteria? It is actually a common bacteria (a bug) that has caused treatable diarrhea in older patients at nursing homes and in hospitals for years. Clostridium difficile or C.diff. is transmitted through contact with fecal matter, usually from hand or food to mouth. C.diff related diarrhea occurs most commonly as a result of anti-biotic use. When certain anti-biotics are used they kill some of the good bacteria in your body that usually keeps bad bacteria like C.diff from flourishing. (C.diff is resistant to most anti-biotics) Ironically, when you are attacked by C.diff because of the anti-biotics you are taking - you must take a specific anti-biotic to kill the flourishing C.diff. Here-in lies the new problem. A mutant strain of C.diff called NAP1/027 resists all anti-biotics and this bacteria is more toxic. C.diff produces spores when it senses that it is under attack from anti-biotics and these spores are not easily killed by the usual sanitization products used to clean hospital environments. These C.diff spores can remain on hospital surfaces for months and can contaminate food and anything touched by hospital personnel or patients. Contracting C.diff, especially the NAP1 strain can lead to uncontrolled bouts of diarrhea, up to 50 per day, and can lead to more serious, imagine something more serious, like C.difficile associated disease (CDAD) and chronic colon problems.

What can I do about it? Not a lot. But here are a few things which may help you avoid infection:

1) Avoid over-use of anti-biotics. Ask you doctor if anti-biotics, especially any anti-biotic that has been associated with CDAD, is really needed for treatment. Anti-biotic over-use is a major reason that these resistant bacteria are mutating.

2) Wash your hands thoroughly before you put anything in your mouth, especially after visiting a hospital or nursing home.

3) Wear surgical gloves if you are caring for patients with CDAD or diarrhea.

4) Do not let severe cases of diarrhea go untreated by a doctor. Unfortunately, common diarrhea medicines can make c.diff infection worse by stopping the bacteria flushing effect of diarrhea. C.diff infections call for more than over-the-counter medicines.

5) If you suspect a problem, call your doctor, especially if you develop diarrhea after tending to a patient or visiting a hospital setting.

Mark Thevenot(aka Steve Thevenot)authors family-friendly health articles. Visitors to his website, http://www.superrxcard.com, can print a free prescription drug discount card that is accepted at over 60,000 pharmacies.

We all want to live a life that has an impact on the people around us and the family that comes after us. Often times the best way to learn about those around us, our family history and those people that shaped our lives, is by reading their life story. So much can be learned by reading someone’s obituary but that sometimes only scratches the service of how a person lived, what they loved and how much they were loved. An online memorial can help keep a memory alive and help you celebrate the life of a love one.

An online memorial website is more creative than an obituary and is a great way to share memories and celebrate the lives of those who are no longer with us. You can spend minutes, hours or days creating an online memorial for someone you knew and loved. There are many online services that are designed specifically to host such tributes. To get the most out of a life story page, find one where you can share memories, photos, videos and access it from anywhere in the world.

Creating a life story page is simple. It does not take any special computer skills or expensive equipment to put one together. The virtual memorial that you create should remain online for an indefinite period of time. This allows friends, family and even future generations to view the memorial and leave their own personal tributes and condolences. Many services do allow online memorials to be created and password protected, for added privacy.

Grieving over the death of someone you loved is one of the most difficult and emotionally wrenching experiences you will go through in your lifetime. To truly move on from such a powerful and devastating experience, each person must find what allows them to move through their grief. Many activities and coping techniques are found to work for people, but each person will need to find a way to do so in a way best suited for them.

By providing a place of remembrance for a loved one, a virtual memorial can give the strength to be able to heal and move forward with our lives. When becoming overwhelmed by an emotion, whether it is sadness, regret, guilt, or even happiness at certain memories, visiting an online memorial to the deceased can help. These sites host information about family history, anecdotes about your loved one’s life and pictures of key moments you shared with them. Remembering these things and spending a moment appreciating the times you did spend with them can have a significant effect on your mood and overall long-term healing.

We all create a life story we hope will live on after we are gone and effect generations after us. By writing these stories down for family, friends and sometimes strangers to read, acknowledge and appreciate, we are ensuring that a loved one’s life lives on after death. We all want to celebrate the people who have made a lasting impression on us.

~ Ben Anton, 2008

Online Memorial Services: Celebrate a loved one’s life forever. You are encouraged to read more at Valley of Life, a safe and respectful free memorial web site.