Victoria Ponders

grief

August 31, 2025

Stole My Heart 💝

Lauren Scott’s beautiful new book, “King Copper – Our Dog’s Life in Poetry” stole my heart. Sadly, one of the common denominators in life is loss. When those I care about – friends, family, clients, former students – reach out and share their grief about losing a pet, there’s often a sense of shame about… Continue reading

Wellness, writing

book review, grief, healing, Inspiration, King Copper, Lauren Scott, love, mourning, pets, poetry
August 22, 2024

Love Abundant

Yesterday I learned a dear friend suffered a heart wrenching loss – the unexpected passing of a dear uncle. She said she’d felt a tug to reach out to him over the past few months but didn’t slow down to do so. How close to home does that confession hit? Too close. Too close for… Continue reading

Surviving Sue, Wellness

author, connection, Family, grief, Inspiration, loss, love, memories, priorities
February 7, 2024

Peek Inside: “Surviving Sue” – Healing

My mom, Sue, had a very challenging childhood. Her father died when she was young, and she carried just two memories of him with her. I suspect her favorite involved fishing adventures and her first ‘big catch’. The photo my grandfather snapped of his girl, Suzie, became the cover art for “Surviving Sue” – the… Continue reading

Surviving Sue

ACEs, author, book, grief, intergenerational healing, loss, love, mental health, resilience, Wellness
September 22, 2023

A Loss of Two-Thirds

I wrote a post a few months ago about my affection for John Muir and I’m learning that when I’m disconcerted about something, even this less-than-outdoorsy girl needs to get her feet on the ground, in nature, to work out heartaches. Yesterday I returned to a favorite garden – this time to visit the… Continue reading

Family

Family, grief, loss, love, mothers and daughters
September 6, 2023

Peek Inside: “Surviving Sue” – Honoring a Veteran

Writing about my mom’s life required some tender diligence and editing as I introduced her siblings. My aunts are still alive, or at least I think so. One of the most painful by-products of my mom’s death was the detachment that occurred as my aunts distanced themselves from me and from my sweet sister Lisa. … Continue reading

Surviving Sue

author, book, gratitude, grief, honor, memories, service, Veterans, Vietnam
August 24, 2023

Loving Lisa: “They’re All Together Now”

The eighth anniversary of our mom Sue’s passing was this past Monday. I knew it might be a tricky day for Lisa, my disabled sister, so I was prepared with extra energy and love to help her over any rough patches. Our beloved cousin, Dan, passed away just a few months ago and Lisa’s still struggling… Continue reading

Family

disabilities, gratitude, grief, love, memories, sisterhood
April 10, 2023

Different is Good

One of the more difficult jobs I had, once upon a time, was that of career counselor at an unemployment office. I loved my colleagues; they were good-hearted people who made every workday fun, but the clientele was challenging. It’s true that providing encouragement to those who are out of work can be draining but… Continue reading

Wellness

differences, gratitude, grief, loneliness, loss, love, singing, stress relief
January 30, 2023

Loving Meghan

A plea for the brokenhearted today. ❤ Continue reading

Family

Family, grief, loss, love
July 13, 2022

Memories Matter

Memories and family mementos matter and help with grief. Continue reading

Family

Family, grief, memories

“Surviving Sue”, a special story about resiliency and love: Eckhartz Press (paperback) and eBook on Amazon.

Peek Inside “Surviving Sue“

Visit Resources on Atkinson Group Solutions for more.

Workshops

Chicago Writers Association Speakers Bureau – Writing for Wellness; Navigating Elder Care with Grace & Humor

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grief

Peek Inside “Surviving Sue“

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