Blogs

Because I'm the Mom

How mothering pervades all relationships in life.

by Pamela Cytrynbaum

Pamela Cytrynbaum is on the faculty at Oregon State University's new media communications department. See full bio

August 23, 2009

Hypervigilant anxiety meets worst-case reality: I got punk'd by my own brain

Can grief be an antidote to anxiety? Read More

August 21, 2009

"What are you doing to take care of yourself?" Anybody know why it takes a deep loss to force a Mom to ask herself that question?

I still don't know how to answer, and yet it is the first question everybody asks when they hear I've lost my brother.
What AM I doing to take care of myself? I never know what to say.

Therapy. Lots of therapy.
School shopping.
Not doing stuff I hate.
Avoiding everybody.
Saying no. Read More

August 19, 2009

Good Advice Gone Dog Wild

Everybody said: Ccomfort yourself....do what seems right....take care of yourself....take time for yourself...find solace where you can...

So I said: I want a puppy.

Everybody said: Don't. Stop. Step Away From the Puppy. Read More

August 11, 2009

Brotherloss: Strikes heartstrings around the blogosphere

Bleak, bleak day. Read More

August 8, 2009

Ex-ting: Texting your ex…is technology making divorce easier or just anonymous?

I'm taking a brief grief break (as if that is even possible) to ask a question: For those folks who are in the process of separating or divorcing, or who have recently done so, has technology had an impact on your split? Read More

August 6, 2009

Do you believe in signs? A skeptic wrestles with the ghosts of her faith

I have always believed in something, some other thing, not me, not of me, not controlled by me, that exists on some other plane, but only with great skepticism. I'm no sucker. No snake oil bought here. Trust but verify. Read More

July 30, 2009

A Jew-Bu's Goodbye: What comes out when it all falls away

This is what I think I said about my brother at his memorial service, where more than 750 tear-stained faces; high school students, college students, colleagues, old friends, family from far and wide, we all bore witness to my brother's extraordinary life. We all heard spoken-word poetry, original ballads, searingly funny stories, wrenching tributes. It was a loving blur. Read More

July 22, 2009

"Mama, are you still in grief?"

What happens when your child must bear witness to your shattering grief? How do you parent? How do you narrate your own undoing, while coming undone, and trying to model healing? And remembering the sunblock. Read More

July 15, 2009