Author: Mershon Niesner

I’m the motherless daughter of a motherless daughter. My mother died when I was 8, her mother (my grandmother) died when my mother was 3 of unrelated causes. At 73 years old, I have the perspective of life experience. On this blog I want to affirm, encourage and embrace daughters who have lost or are losing their mothers to early death, abandonment, or dementia. I'm also writing a book on the topic entitled Mom's Gone,Now What? I'd be delighted to interview you for this book if you have lost or are losing your mother. Please contact me. A retired Life Coach and author of Ribbons of Love...affirmations for abundant living, I include an affirmation and coaching questions with each blog post to offer you assistance in moving forward with your life in a positive way. A mother of three, step mother of three, grandmother of eight, step-grand of 11 and step-great grand of three, I have the opportunity to add whimsy to my posts. I live on beautiful Marco Island, Florida, returning to the suburbs of Chicago in the summer to spend time with family. However, I'm a Nebraska Girl at heart, having grown up there and the off-spring of Nebraska pioneers. I've been divorced, widowed and am currently married to my wonderful husband, Ken. Life has given me many opportunities for growth. Welcome to my blog...feel free to interact with me, I will always respond to your questions or comments. My goal is to build community and relationships.

Why The Special Olympics Are Special

March 19, 2019March 19, 2019 by Mershon Niesner

We see a world where there is no ‘us’ or ‘them.’ Instead, people of all abilities are treated with dignity and respect and all are welcomed with acceptance and understanding. Special Olympics website

Years ago I had a friend with a son who had mental disabilities. He was a teenager when I met him and had recently participated in the Special Olympics. He proudly showed me his medals and told me how he was already starting to train for next year. From that moment, twenty-eight years ago, I’ve been a supporter of Special Olympics, seeing first hand the difference they made in a young man’s life.

This week the Special Olympics World Games are taking place in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates. Thursday is World Down Syndrome Day. Seven thousand athletes from 170 countries and 24 sports are participating with the help of over 20,000 volunteers. Their ultimate goal is to embrace unity, achievement, and dignity.

Photo by Adrià Crehuet Cano on Unsplash

Celebrating Saint Patrick

March 17, 2019March 17, 2019 by Mershon Niesner

Luck is believing you’re lucky. Tennessee Williams

Happy Saint Patrick’s Day! If you live in the U.S. or Ireland, chances are you’re celebrating by wearing green, drinking green beer, marching in a parade or, like us, eating corned beef and cabbage.

The patron saint of Ireland, St. Patrick was born in Roman Britain in the late 4th century. When he was sixteen, we was kidnapped and taken to Ireland as a slave. He escaped but returned around 432 A.D. to convert the Irish to Christianity. In his lifetime he established monasteries, churches, and schools. He died March 17, 461.

Photo by Patrick Fore on Unsplash

Surviving Rejection

March 15, 2019March 15, 2019 by Mershon Niesner

Be strong, be fearless, be beautiful. Believe that anything is possible when you have the right people there to support you. Misty Copeland, American ballet dancer

Not everyday is a good day at my desk. Today my short story was rejected for the Marco Island Writer’s Anthology. I respect the professionalism and expertise of the person who gave me feedback and I will rewrite my short story or start over. Rejection is a bitter pill to swallow but, as a writer, I’ve grown somewhat accustomed to it.

The challenge of rejection is to not lose confidence in myself or my writing—to stay strong and keep pushing forward. Creating art in any form is a tricky business. Going public with my creative process means exposing myself time and again to an audience with a variety of opinions, interests, and levels of expertise. I will take the advise of a ballet dancer. I will stay strong and be fearless.

Affirmation: I will persevere.

Coaching questions: In what ways does rejection affect you? Do you keep moving forward? If not, what support do you need to succeed? Where will you find it?

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Photo by Hudson Hintze on Unsplash

Have You Told Your Story Lately?

March 14, 2019March 14, 2019 by Mershon Niesner

My mother memories that are closest to my heart are the small gentle ones that I have carried over from the days of my childhood. They are not profound, but they have stayed with me through life, and when I am very old, they will still be near. Margaret Sanger, American nurse and activist

As I was leaving the Marco Island Writer’s meeting last night, a man I hadn’t met asked me about my book. When I told him it was Mom’s Gone, Now What? and about moving forward after mother loss, he was quite interested. As we walked out, he said his mother was smart, funny, caring—in short, a wonderful mom. By now we were standing in the cool evening as he told me how she had a stroke and suffered for several years. He was by her side at the end when she awoke from a coma to say lovely last words to him. As he repeated the words, I knew they were his treasure.

This stranger seemed pleased to have an opportunity to tell his mother loss story and I was pleased to hear his precious tale. We went from strangers to friends in the time it took to leave a meeting.

Jerome Bruner, psychologist, wrote, “The eagerness to tell one’s story signals a desire to live.” As we tell our mother loss stories, we affirm, not only our desire to live, but to thrive. We share so others can benefit from our experience and we learn about yourselves in the telling.

Affirmation: I eagerly share my stories.

Coaching questions: When did you last share a story about a meaningful, personal event? What difference did the sharing make to you? What difference did it make to the person you were telling?

Photo by Andreea Popa on Unsplash

Writing Can Be Healing

March 11, 2019March 11, 2019 by Mershon Niesner

While I wouldn’t consider it a viable substitute for therapy and counseling, writing about our painful experiences can cause them to lose their power over us. Srinivas Rao, author and podcast host.

I dedicate this blog to my mom, Winnie (pictured here), who only enjoyed thirty-four years on Earth but has not been forgotten. Writing a book about my mother loss along with the experiences of nearly fifty other daughters, is powerful and healing. The book led to this blog and I hope the blog has made a difference.

In the last year people from over twenty countries have read this blog with over 7,000 views. When I write, I picture some of my dear followers and friends who tell me they read it consistently. They are the impetus to keep going. I don’t want to let them down. I’m not stopping. I will continue to blog, just not every day. Become a follower so you won’t miss out. I’m considering including a “what’s for dinner?” post since I’m a foodie. Stay tuned and thanks for being there.

Affirmation: My writing is powerful.

Coaching questions: What’s in your heart that might be important to write about? How might writing make a difference for you or others?

Admitting Defeat

March 10, 2019March 10, 2019 by Mershon Niesner

Blank, blank, and blank. Mershon

I’m one day away from writing a blog everyday for a year and I’m coming up with nothing—nothing! How is this possible? I’ve had a good, or not so good, idea for 364 days in a row and today I can’t think of a thing. Is it the first day of daylight savings that’s causing it? Am I at the bottom of the bucket? Who knew there were only 364 ideas in there?

I promise you that tomorrow I will have something meaty for you. Something that will forever change your life—or not. Probably not something funny as humor is my weak spot but perhaps something personal and spicy. Stay tuned.

Affirmation: I can admit defeat.

Coaching questions: How do you handle situations when you come up lacking? What helps you move forward despite the disappointing behavior? How do you affirm yourself?

Photo by Phil Hearing on Unsplash

How Did You Sleep Last Night?

March 9, 2019March 9, 2019 by Mershon Niesner

Sleep is that golden chain that ties health and our bodies together. Thomas Dekker, actor

Sleep, such a boring topic, something we take for granted. However, if you are one of the seventy-nine percent of Americans getting less than the recommended seven to eight hours of sleep each night you need to know how lack of sleep may be affecting you.

Sleep deficiency is linked to an increased risk of heart disease, kidney disease, high blood pressure, diabetes and stroke. You may also be experiencing weight gain, irritability, depression, impaired short term memory, decreased libido, poor judgment, decreased productivity, and a decreased resistance to viral infections. If you have a goal of better health, start with improving your sleep habits. You’re worth it!

Affirmation: I take care of myself with adequate sleep.

Coaching questions: What’s keeping you from getting a good night’s sleep? It is worth it to change some habits so you can have better health? What are you willing to do? When will you start?

Photo by Katya Austin on Unsplash

Celebrating International Women’s Day

March 8, 2019March 8, 2019 by Mershon Niesner

The story of women’s struggle for equality belongs to no single feminist nor to any one organization but to the collective efforts of all who care about human rights. Gloria Steinem, activist, journalist

International Women’s Day is celebrated every year on March 8th. It is the focal point in the movement for women’s rights and began February 28, 1909 in New York. This year’s theme is BalanceforBetter – building a gender balanced world. Gender balance is essential for economies and communities to thrive.

International Women’s Day celebrates the social, economic, cultural and political achievements of women. It is also a call to action for accelerating gender balance. Better balance makes for a better world.

Affirmation: I look for ways to create gender balance in my world.

Coaching questions: How has/does gender imbalance affect you and your family? What will you do to help correct the imbalance? How will you educate yourself on this topic?

Why Not All About Death and Dying?

March 7, 2019 by Mershon Niesner

Grief is like the ocean, it comes in waves, ebbing and flowing. Sometimes the water is calm, and sometimes it is overwhelming. All we can do is learn to swim. Vicki Harrison, author

You might wonder why a blog called motherloss isn’t all about dying mothers, distressed daughters, or grief. First of all, if that were the case, Dear Reader, I’m sure I would have lost you long ago. Second, I believe that recovery is the focus of any mother loss discussion. Third, recovery is lifelong and all about learning to, once again, live life to the fullest.

For these three reasons, this motherloss blog is about a variety of topics, including grief recovery. As I approach my 365th consecutive blog post, I’m planning to scale back my daily communication. However, I still plan to blog a few days a week on topics related to life; life full and running over. I hope you’ll stick with me. Let me know what’s important to you. Ask questions. Go to the blog site and become a follower. I’m looking forward to another year together.

Affirmation: I strive to live life to the fullest.

Coaching questions: Has this blog been meaningful to you? If it has, please let me know what topics were most important and what might be helpful or interesting in the future. How do you define recovery?

Photo by J W on Unsplash

What Are the Ashes All About?

March 6, 2019March 6, 2019 by Mershon Niesner

You are dust, and to dust you shall return. Genesis 2:7

Today, many Christians throughout the world are celebrating Ash Wednesday, the beginning of Lent. Lent is a time when Christians prepare for Easter by exercising spiritual discipline such as fasting, repentance, or study. Ash Wednesday has been observed since the tenth century.

Some denominations place ashes in the form of the cross on parishioners’ foreheads. Ashes are an ancient symbol reminding humans that they are of dust and will return to dust. Through the ashes, we remember our humanity as well as who we are and who we can become.

Affirmation: I affirm those who exercise their faith.

Coaching questions: If you’re a Christian, what does the season of Lent mean to you? If you are not a Christian, I hope this information expanded your understanding of the Lenten season.

Photo by Ahna Ziegler on Unsplash