64 Six Word Stories About Grief
/ Coping with Grief : Litsa Williams
A while back, we wrote a post about the six-word story: the well-known writing exercise made famous through the legend that Ernest Hemingway was once bet that he couldn't write a short story in six words. As the story goes he wrote the following story:
"For sale: baby shoes, never worn."
The validity of the legend may be unknown, but the power of six-word stories is unequivocal.
This week, we asked our readers to share their own six-word stories. These could be about a loved one, about a grief, or whatever really. You know us, we like to keep the rules pretty loose. As usual, we were amazed by the comments that poured in and we were sad to think they may be soon buried in an endless black hole of old Facebook posts, never to be seen or heard from again. Trying to delay the inevitable reality that many beautiful things are lost and forgotten, we have captured here just a handful of the hundreds of six-word grief stories shared on our Facebook. So without further ado...
We wrote a book!
After writing online articles for What’s Your Grief
for over a decade, we finally wrote a tangible,
real-life book!
What’s Your Grief? Lists to Help you Through Any Loss is for people experiencing any type of loss. This book discusses some of the most common grief experiences and breaks down psychological concepts to help you understand your thoughts and emotions. It also shares useful coping tools, and helps the reader reflect on their unique relationship with grief and loss.
You can find What’s Your Grief? Lists to Help you Through Any Loss wherever you buy books:
Maddix chisco January 27, 2023 at 5:13 pm
“Your time long…Still I cry”
Linny September 1, 2021 at 7:52 pm
2 lives
1 lost
0 hearts to never beat again.
Devin Cary January 25, 2021 at 3:21 pm
You all live
In my heart
Devin C January 25, 2021 at 3:18 pm
Mommy, Daddy, Brother.
I miss you.
Laurel Van Horn January 17, 2021 at 12:42 pm
Gorgeous man in every way – adore!
Laurel Van Horn January 17, 2021 at 12:38 pm
Love of my life – no question.
Laurel Van Horn January 17, 2021 at 12:36 pm
All we shared. Forever in heart.
Karessa October 3, 2019 at 3:42 pm
You are safe from yourself now.
Jacqueline Brown Milman August 10, 2019 at 6:03 am
He lived a weird , wonderful life.
Tish Reed August 9, 2019 at 3:59 pm
I miss your Sunday Mexican breakfasts.
Brianna April 13, 2019 at 12:22 am
Thought 5 years, got 3 months
Ana Christina March 31, 2019 at 12:35 pm
Lost my biggest fan to cancer.
Terrilynn December 22, 2018 at 2:48 am
Ring.Ring. “Hi Mom.” Never again.
Terrilynn December 22, 2018 at 2:46 am
I just don’t want to hurt.
Krissy Rich November 15, 2018 at 7:29 pm
Life will never be the same
Christina Gazmer September 26, 2018 at 5:38 am
In case of him…”imagine if”……
Mary August 24, 2018 at 5:11 am
“Mary? She didn’t make it.”
No.
Georgina July 29, 2018 at 9:59 am
Took her last breath, wings spread
Dawn March 30, 2018 at 9:48 am
My Joker took the laughter away.
He’s laughing in Gotham right now.
Dawn March 30, 2018 at 9:48 am
My Joker took the laughter away.
He’s laughing in Gotham right now.
Dawn March 30, 2018 at 9:45 am
Heart’s dead, vagina’s not. God’s cruel.
Dawn March 30, 2018 at 9:45 am
Heart’s dead, vagina’s not. God’s cruel.
Dawn March 30, 2018 at 9:42 am
He’s reading Harry Potter in Heaven.
Dawn March 30, 2018 at 9:42 am
He’s reading Harry Potter in Heaven.
Dawn March 29, 2018 at 4:18 pm
I can’t even move his toothbrush.
Dawn March 29, 2018 at 4:18 pm
I can’t even move his toothbrush.
Dawn March 29, 2018 at 4:08 pm
The Joker killed, Harley is broken
Dawn March 29, 2018 at 4:08 pm
The Joker killed, Harley is broken
Kathy February 28, 2018 at 10:08 pm
Doc, get me five more years
Kathy February 28, 2018 at 10:08 pm
Doc, get me five more years
Erin October 31, 2017 at 2:14 pm
While she dies, they leave me
Erin October 31, 2017 at 2:14 pm
While she dies, they leave me
Jayme Baird September 29, 2017 at 10:43 am
The last “love you” never said
Jayme Baird September 29, 2017 at 10:43 am
The last “love you” never said
Kelly August 18, 2017 at 10:42 am
Going to leave this Brokedown Palace.
Tamara May 20, 2017 at 7:09 am
We were on the phone together.
Franki May 11, 2017 at 11:20 am
Writing numbers on the calendar. 61.
Charity January 31, 2017 at 2:52 pm
But I still need you Dad
Bella January 17, 2017 at 1:03 am
In your casket, drunk no more.
Oceangift January 17, 2017 at 11:05 am
Ah Bella, this is my 6 words as well.
Mark Zerbe December 10, 2016 at 8:27 pm
Peg, you were my happiness Baby
Bella November 5, 2016 at 7:53 pm
Alcoholism has destroyed all our lives.
Oceangift January 17, 2017 at 11:06 am
Yes, Bella all of our lives.
R November 4, 2016 at 10:55 am
I’ll make you so proud, granny.
Kathleen October 10, 2016 at 8:42 pm
We laughed, he died, I cry.
Carolyn October 5, 2016 at 8:43 pm
I miss you my little vagabond!
claudace September 24, 2016 at 1:07 pm
I am sorry to inform you……
(still hear it like it was yesterday)
joan morris September 18, 2016 at 12:10 pm
Life goes, Love stays. Now what??
Kat September 9, 2016 at 4:31 pm
Two years since I’ve gone outside.
Abby September 8, 2016 at 10:37 pm
At his daughter’s wedding, he drowned
Gilda September 8, 2016 at 11:19 am
Understand now the love I had.
Gracie September 7, 2016 at 9:54 am
I’m so sorry for your loss….
Sarah Sparks September 3, 2016 at 2:51 am
Phone rang, silence……..Die he die?
Litsa September 4, 2016 at 11:08 am
Ah Sarah, I can relate to this one so much . . .
Maureen September 2, 2016 at 9:14 pm
My Godly son, who saved me.
Mary E Case August 13, 2016 at 9:18 am
She said, “See you Monday!”….
Abigail July 25, 2016 at 9:18 am
Forever repeating, I love you more
Emily July 9, 2016 at 6:21 pm
Hands touched. Eyes met. Last breath.
Dawn July 7, 2016 at 11:44 pm
He wouldn’t want this much crying
Nancy June 30, 2016 at 4:57 pm
The sky was different that day.
Melinda June 24, 2016 at 11:21 am
Father, brothers, daughter, son, addiction- deaths
fiona April 25, 2016 at 7:28 pm
Eleven years, your suicide my death
Devin Clark April 14, 2016 at 1:37 pm
It’s hard to breathe without you.
Rose Gallegos April 11, 2016 at 1:38 pm
My life, my love, my superman.
Jenny Jordan April 7, 2016 at 3:47 pm
I will outlive you this year.
Tami April 6, 2016 at 10:23 pm
Searching for what hides within.
Val April 5, 2016 at 4:01 pm
Angry you refused to stop drinking.
Marcheta April 5, 2016 at 4:25 pm
Val, you are not alone – those are my words too.?
Jenny Jordan April 7, 2016 at 3:49 pm
Val and Marcheta, we are of the same tribe.
Finn January 22, 2024 at 9:31 am
Val, Marcheta and Jenny, we are the same…
Kirsten Helmer April 5, 2016 at 12:18 pm
Neverending emptiness, pain – crushing my soul.
Tina Hawkins March 29, 2016 at 6:23 pm
I am no longer a mother! ?
Angela May 1, 2016 at 12:07 pm
You will always be his(her) mother.
Jewel March 27, 2016 at 8:23 am
The letter “Y”, Unanswered, Question, left.
Kathy March 27, 2016 at 8:15 am
my precious son is gone forever
Karen March 26, 2016 at 10:06 pm
Oh, Honey, what do I do?
Vanessa March 26, 2016 at 5:59 pm
being who now you left me?
Carla March 25, 2016 at 8:32 am
Three broken hearts miss you terribly
You were my one and only???
Sheryl March 23, 2016 at 1:42 am
I want to go with Dad.
Hubby March 22, 2016 at 8:33 pm
last birthday was her last birthday
Rebecca March 22, 2016 at 1:55 pm
It goes on… why must I?
Dani March 20, 2016 at 10:22 pm
Family is gone now…alone sucks.
M March 20, 2016 at 5:04 pm
Crying eyes, as Poe wrote nevermore
Pattie Holm March 20, 2016 at 10:49 am
House for sale. Never moved in
Yam Kahol March 20, 2016 at 8:25 am
Doctor: “legally I have the right”.
M March 19, 2016 at 8:10 pm
Ordinary Sunday, except alcohol finally won.
Oceangift March 19, 2016 at 9:05 pm
Thank you. M.
Ordinary Tuesday, except alcohol finally won.
Imma March 19, 2016 at 7:05 am
Killing time until time kills me
Mary March 18, 2016 at 12:02 am
I am not who I once was. Loved that one!
Vicki March 17, 2016 at 11:17 pm
Suddenly fire was consuming our world.
lucille thares March 17, 2016 at 7:43 pm
He loved nature, he loved me.
Emma March 17, 2016 at 5:42 pm
I’m sorry, there is no heartbeat…
Juli Henderson March 17, 2016 at 5:04 pm
“Survived By” versus “Survivor”… Cancer Sucks…
Gracie September 7, 2016 at 9:53 am
So sad but so true. Cancer SUCKS!
gretchen greeley waters March 17, 2016 at 10:42 am
I thought I would go first
Chelsea March 17, 2016 at 2:15 am
When he left, my world shattered
Jeanette March 17, 2016 at 12:41 am
He made me a better person
Jillian March 16, 2016 at 8:59 pm
Your mom has stage iv colon cancer……
Oceangift March 16, 2016 at 8:30 pm
Leon, are you finally at peace?
Pat S March 16, 2016 at 7:07 pm
The words “he’s gone.” World changed.
Marsha B. March 16, 2016 at 5:17 pm
Must live on – do I care?
Michelle March 16, 2016 at 4:35 pm
Waiting to hear your song always!
Andrea March 16, 2016 at 3:52 pm
One gun, three lives, forever changed.
Donna March 16, 2016 at 2:47 pm
I keep hoping this is a bad dream
Suzy March 16, 2016 at 2:33 pm
Kevin I promise to not crumble
Grace Young March 16, 2016 at 1:19 pm
Precious firstborn son died by suicide.
Felicia Van Doran March 16, 2016 at 12:57 pm
A father, a son, together forever
Martha March 16, 2016 at 11:35 am
Widow, but still in love.
Kerry March 16, 2016 at 10:55 am
“Live life for both of us”
Cathy Dover Stetson March 16, 2016 at 10:43 am
Heroin: you stole my beloved son.
Suzy March 16, 2016 at 2:34 pm
This could be my 6 words as well…heroin is the tool of the devil
Barbara March 16, 2016 at 10:21 am
He lived, he loved, he left.
Karen March 16, 2016 at 9:08 am
Love could not heal you…..
Tracey Hall March 16, 2016 at 8:36 am
He made me want to live…
Susan Gray March 16, 2016 at 8:16 am
Two children, now they are gone….
sandra March 16, 2016 at 6:36 am
My life ended when his did
Gail March 16, 2016 at 6:29 am
Hurts every day – Living without him
Helene Domi March 16, 2016 at 6:12 am
Mom and I share a heart
Celeste March 16, 2016 at 4:48 am
Love, laughter, tears–then came silence .
Janna March 16, 2016 at 12:10 am
Our future together…ended that day
Michelle June 5, 2017 at 2:42 pm
This could be my six words, too.
Kerrie March 16, 2016 at 12:09 am
He said forever. He was wrong.
Paula March 16, 2016 at 12:04 am
My guardian angel. Always and forever.
TracyB March 15, 2016 at 11:58 pm
Nice normal morning. Earth shattering afternoon.
Janifer March 15, 2016 at 11:45 pm
Yesterday a wife, today a widow.
Heather Gammon March 15, 2016 at 11:18 pm
Head against chest until dad’s last breath.
Mary March 15, 2016 at 11:12 pm
I couldn’t read them all.
Tina Marie March 15, 2016 at 10:58 pm
Forever my sister, forever my angel!
Tracy March 15, 2016 at 10:53 pm
I love this! It’s amazing the depth of emotion that can be shared with 6 words.
My six words:
Her soul paints the sky. Beauty.
We used this on her urn:
Strong in love, brave in spirit
LouAnne March 15, 2016 at 10:50 pm
Daughter, wife, mother, grandma, greatgrandma, gone.
Kim Heinz March 15, 2016 at 10:45 pm
Never heard the word ‘Mom’ again