Lisa McGreevy
Verified
As seen in:
CNBC,
Entrepreneur,
Substack,
Contently,
The Penny Hoarder,
OpenText.com,
PR Daily,
Fit Small Business
Covers:
Health/wellness, suicide & grief, LGBTQ issues, personal finance, technology, and marketing.
I write about tech, small biz, personal finance, marketing, child loss, suicide, grief & 🏳️🌈. She/her. Hi #MeFi! Available for contract work.
Articles by Lisa McGreevy
Think You May Have Been Scammed? Here’s What You Should Do Right Now Original
The risk of becoming a scam victim or falling prey to fraud is more common than you may believe. The Federal Trade Commission received over 2.8 million fraud reports from consumers in 2021. If you’ve been affected by a scam, we are here to help you through the process, from ensuring your accounts are locked down to contacting the three credit reporting agencies.
Please Hold for the Next Available Newsletter
My husband put it best when he said to me recently that “new holes have been ripped into the grief [I was] finally getting a handle on.” In laughably shitty timing, trust in my admittedly meager support system has also been badly damaged so I’m circling my wagons (wagon?) until I don’t feel like a strong sun flare could knock me over.
The Astonishing Bravery of the Son I Lost
One of my favorite pictures of us When Christopher was 14, I took him to the top of the John Hancock building in Chicago because I grew up in the city and I wanted to show him where I'd spent a lot of time when I was his age. While there, we decided to give the 360 Chicago Experience a try, which involves propping yourself against specific windows outfitted with hydraulics that tilt you face down for a bird’s eye view of the street from 1,000 feet in the air.
Child Loss Grief is Full of Surprises
As I mentioned in the last newsletter, my grief seems to be moving into a new phase so my grief counseling needs to adapt along with it. The logical side of my brain understands and agrees that it's the right time to adjust my sails, but the emotional side wants nothing to do with learning or trying anything new. It's going to be a little hard and a lot scary, but I know it's necessary.
Post-Pandemic Freedom Isn't All That Great When You're Grieving
I've been scarce the last couple of weeks because grief is a gigantic and unpredictable pain in my backside. I was doing all right lately, all things considered, until my brain suddenly decided I should stop getting so comfortable. All the worst parts of grief – off-the-charts anxiety, insomnia, nightmares when I finally do sleep, despair, exhaustion, lack of motivation – got turned up to 11 and I simply didn't have the mental capacity to write the last two newsletters.
How to Live With Grief-Induced PTSD After Child Loss
Professionals in the mental health field tell me that grief-induced post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is common in parents who have lost a child. When paired with the typical “am I losing my mind” feelings often associated with grief, lemme tell you, throwing PTSD symptoms on the pile is the gift combo that keeps on giving. It’s the worst part of grief for me — besides the obvious, of course. If it’s stressing you out too, you aren’t alone. You aren’t weird for the things you feel.
Grief's Beginning, Middle, and...New Growth? Part Two
Before jumping into this newsletter, you’ll probably want to catch up on the last edition for context if you haven’t seen yet. Last week, I was talking with you about the first of many dumb decisions I made early on in my grief. I’ve pummeled myself for a while but have also learned that this kind of regret is common, so if you’re beating yourself up about choices you made in those first few days and weeks, don’t. You are far from alone.
Grief's Beginning, Middle, and...New Growth?
My grief counselor (I’ll call her Kate) gave me homework so I’m going to workshop it here instead of in my brain at three in the morning as usual. Come on along. At my last appointment, I mentioned something about being worried that my grief would never become more manageable than it is now — which is to say, not very. Since we know it never gets better in the traditional sense, the best I can hope for is change of some sort. She asked me what I thought that change might look like and I was stumped.
White-Knuckling Mother's Day When There's No Other Choice
“How do you feel about this upcoming weekend?” That’s the question my grief counselor opened with when we met online this week. I’m sure she already knew the answer but was doing her due diligence anyway. “I feel like crap about it,” I answered honestly. “Mother’s Day sucks.” I went back and forth on whether I should even write about it because what else is there to say? But my husband pointed out that it would seem weird to not even mention it, given what this newsletter is about.
TV Was Fun Before Grief Got in the Way
One of the most frustrating things for me about grieving my son is the banana-bonkers side effects of grief that never occur to me until I’m knee-deep in them. You know that expression “kids don’t come with an owner’s manual?” Mourning them doesn’t even come with the CliffsNotes version. Every day begins with me wondering what new and inventive things my brain has in store for me. Will this be the day I learn bees make me cry?
The Great Memorial Garden Pivot of 2021
If one more person suggests I create a butterfly garden to honor my son, I’m going to scream. I appreciate the thought, but I don’t know anything about butterflies, gardens, butterfly gardens, or gardening butterflies. Trying something like this would frustrate me, disappoint the plants, and scare the butterflies. I’m in awe of people with the skills and imagination required to create memorial gardens, art, sculpture, jewelry, and cool stuff like that.
The Unwanted, Unnecessary Milestones of Grief
Some days it feels like Christopher died two years ago, other times it feels like two days ago. On a tough day, it feels like two hours ago. Yet the pressure to act like I’m sprinting through my grief milestones with the grace of a gazelle is always present. Despite the fact that there is no one right way to grieve, I still feel like I’m doing it wrong. My husband is archiving thousands and thousands of pictures, digital and paper, we’ve accumulated over time.
A Candid Look at the Weird Things People Say to Grieving Parents
“Gee, your boss is really hard on you,” I once said to a waiter who’d just gotten a dressing down in front of customers. “I think you’re doing a great job. Sorry she’s being kind of a jerk.” “It’s okay,” he answered. “She’s my mom.” I wanted to fall through the floor. That happened almost 30 years ago, and my face still gets red when I think about it. I practically needed a podiatrist to get my foot out of my mouth.
The Unique Grief of Losing a Stepchild
This week’s article was written by my son’s stepfather, my husband, Michael McGreevy. “My son Christopher died from suicide two years ago. I miss him.” I wish it were easy for me to say that. I wish I could just utter those words and be ok with it. I wish I did not feel the need to put disclaimers around that statement or nullify it altogether by making the impact of his death about someone, anyone, other than me. It is not that easy, though. At least, it’s not for me. Christopher is my stepson.
The Unfairness of Child Loss & Stigmatized Death
This edition discusses suicide and substance abuse, but without descriptive wording that may be upsetting to some parents. Losing a child is devastating enough. Being afraid to talk about how they died adds a whole other horrific dimension to a parent’s grief. This week, let’s talk about the stigma associated with certain types of death and why I want to scream from the rooftops for it to just stop already. I understand why it’s difficult to talk with parents about their child’s death.
Online and In-person Grief Support Groups For Bereaved Parents (Updated 7/21)
To be included in this resource list, email me at lisa@lisamcgreevy.com. One of the most challenging parts of managing the overwhelming grief of losing a child is finding the right support. Friends and family are definitely a resource, but it’s also common to want to meet other parents who deeply understand that this loss is different from losing a grandparent or sibling (which is also the point of this newsletter).
How to Choose a CRM in 5 Easy Steps (+ Free Guide)
Purchasing a customer relationship management (CRM) system is like committing to any other big ticket business software. Research and preparation are crucial to the successful implementation of the CRM you select. Our free interactive guide helps organize your decision process and keeps all the details in one place.
Why Is the Second Year of Grief So Hard?
I feel like there should be some sort of ribbon or award when we make it through the first year following our child’s death. A certificate of achievement, maybe? That year of firsts is brutal. All the milestones and traditions we celebrated with our kids that used to mean so much just… don’t anymore. After white-knuckling it through the worst of the days (for me, it was Christopher’s birthday and the date he died), I figured I’d cleared some imaginary hurdle at the 365-day mark.
6 Best CRM for Telesales in 2021
10% System Integrations 5% Deal and Opportunity Management 25% Telesales-specific 25% of Overall Score All companies keep an eye on the bottom line, but small business budgets can be especially tight. We evaluated each CRM’s service plans for affordability and overall value, as well as whether it offered a free-forever tier. 25% of Overall Score Telesales teams don’t have time to learn their way around complex interfaces and can’t afford the downtime of systems that need constant maintenance.
6 Best CRM for Billing & Invoicing in 2021
10% System Integrations 20% of Overall Score Most small businesses are on a tight budget, so price is often a big factor in purchasing decisions. We reviewed each solution’s service plans, including free tiers, for value as well as affordability of plan upgrades. 15% of Overall Score Small business CRM solutions should be very simple to set up and maintain. Users should be able to easily update information and find what they need within the platform with a minimum of fuss.
The 6 Best Customer Database Software for 2021
Customer database software helps businesses organize, manage, and track customer relationships. We looked at a variety of customer database software solutions, including customer relationship management (CRM) platforms, and narrowed it down to the top 10. The software was then evaluated according to our scoring system to learn which six stood out and which is the best overall.
How to Compare CRMs Before Make a Buying Decision in 7 Steps
Figuring out which customer relationship management (CRM) software is best for your small business is no easy feat. You may have decided to invest in a CRM system or switch providers, but how can you ensure you’re choosing the right one? With CRM now one of the largest software markets in the world, this guide will help you narrow down your options and make the best choice. 1.
CRM vs CDP: What They Are & When to Use Each
Most sales teams know of or use a customer relationship management (CRM) system to nurture budding and existing customer relationships and track engagement across all company touchpoints. Its lesser-known cousin, the customer data platform (CDP), analyzes the data you collect about your customers across several sources to better understand their current behavior and predict future purchasing decisions.
Under Pressure
It’s been a while since I’ve written anything. Well, that’s not technically true. I have a few draft posts but I haven’t published anything in about a month. Every time I start, there’s a different thing I want to say and I can’t seem to commit to any one topic. They all have the same undercurrent though; variations on the fact that I’m still not all right. I was motivated to write this after something someone said to me a few days ago.
Careening Toward Year Two
Well, I made it through January and I’m into the second year of grieving the loss of my son. Granted, it was by the skin of my teeth, but the important thing is I made it. On the heels of my first Thanksgiving and Christmas since Christopher died, and his burial at sea on Christmas Eve, I also survived last month; (what would have been) his 19th birthday and also the first anniversary of his death.
It Was a Year Ago Today
One year ago today, my 18-year old son, Christopher, took his life. I’ve been dreading this day for months, and in the ramp up to it my grief has gotten substantially worse. I thought I might be able to today recount the events of January 25, 2019 but I simply can’t. That will have to be another post, another day. My grief counselor asked me yesterday what I was most fearful of about today.
Tattoos for Two
The closer I get to the first anniversary of Christopher’s death, the harder it’s been to write even though I desperately want to. I feel like I’m in the path of a slow-living freight train with my feet glued to the tracks and my mind is so scattered that I can hardly track a thought. I mentioned that on Twitter the other day and got the kindest response. “So write about Christopher.
Advice for Newly Grieving Mothers
If you’re a mother who’s reading this because you just lost a child to suicide and need support, my email address is at the bottom of this page. Feel free to contact me anytime. I don’t presume to think that I have all the answers for mothers dealing with the loss of a child to suicide. I remember sitting at my computer in the days after Christopher died, typing random strings of words into Google while hoping to find advice from someone who’d been through this before me.
Today Is the Birthday That Isn’t
The sky on the night Christopher was born Today would have been Christopher’s 19th birthday. I’ve been dreading the arrival of this day since he took his life because I hear it’s a doozy. So far, I’m kind of numb. When each of my boys turned 18, I wrote them a letter about what their life has meant to me, what it’s been like to watch them grow up into young men, and what I hope the future holds for them. I also talked a little about what the day of their birth was like.
One Last Look
One year ago today began as a normal morning. I had no idea it would be the last time I would see Christopher alive. I goofed off with my son for a while that morning, while he cleaned up a weight bench and barbell set he wanted to use. We talked a bit about how we would spot each other during bench presses and what kinds of friendly competitions we could set up to encourage each other’s progress. We were making plans for him to borrow my car later that day to run some errands when his phone rang.
The Possessions He Left Behind
Decades ago, I went to visit my then-husband’s extended family whom I’d never met before and who he barely knew. The couple was our parent’s age and they’d lost their daughter to illness in her late teens. They’d invited us to spend the night and when they showed us where we were sleeping, I involuntarily shivered. It was their daughter’s room, which had remained untouched since she died. A large color portrait of her sat on the dresser, eyes following us all over the room.
Fear and Loathing in the New Year
A few hours from now, the calendar turns to 2020 and the single worst year of my life will finally draw to a close. You’d think I’d be relieved, and I am. Yet, in some ways, I’m afraid to see it end. You see, once the New Year’s ball drops, Christopher will have died “last year.” That sounds like last century to me and puts more distance than ever between the last time I saw him and the current time on my watch. I’ve lived every day in the hope that Christopher will come back to me.
Fair Winds and Following Seas
I’m back on shore after Christopher’s burial at sea and, let me tell you, that was a lot harder and also a lot more therapeutic than I expected. I even managed to give some elevator passengers a pretty unfortunate ride they won’t forget for a while. Burials at sea must take place in international waters under very particular conditions. The ship’s Captain identifies different windows of opportunity and Guest Services does all the coordinating.
Handbags and Lunch Boxes
I’m sitting on the balcony of my stateroom on a cruise ship waiting for the call to muster drill just before sail away. Don’t envy me too much, part of my son is in a lunch bag in the room’s safe. We booked this cruise before Christopher died and the holiday season is hard enough without thinking about being on a ship filled with celebrating families over Christmas Eve and Day. However, I ultimately decided being here is what I needed to do.
Son Overboard
Next week, Christopher and I get to do one last thing together. Just the two of us. I honestly don’t know how I’m going to go through with it, but it’s important to me that I do. I’m taking some of Christopher’s ashes with me on a cruise and have arranged to send them overboard as we drift through the Carribean. There’s meaning behind the overall choice but it’s also an opportunity to let a part of him go under my own power instead of being snatched away from me without warning.
Christopher Broke Up the Band
My boys are very close in age. There are 18 months between my first and second sons and 21 months between my second and third. Yeahhhhhh, tell me about it. It wasn’t always easy, especially when I was a single mom, but it was never dull. In fact, I’d argue it was a little overly stimulating at times. As an only child, I can only imagine what’s it’s like to have siblings in the first place, much less ones so close in age.
I’m (Not) Always Angry
My grief counselor often asks me about anger. Sometimes she wants to know if I’m angry at a person, other times if I’m angry about a situation. She keeps track of my anger so I don’t have to. The thing is, I’m not as angry as you’d expect. That’s not to say I haven’t had some moments over the past year. Still, I’ve gotten much better at figuring out my sore spots and unhealthily compartmentalizing it because I have other emotions vying for my attention right now.
Haunting the Haunted
When my boys were young, I used to tell them that if they ever acquired super powers they could tell me and I’d keep their secret. I mostly knew that would never happen, but what mom doesn’t hope her kids will be the ones imbued with the ability to fly or see through walls? As they got older, my teasing turned to serious conversations that they could always tell me anything or do anything and I would love them unconditionally.
Alexa, What’s a Synonym for “Trigger?”
The weirdest shit sets me to crying these days. It’s not a big deal when I’m safely at home, but it’s a bit awkward when I’m in, say, the frozen dessert department at Publix. Shortly before Christopher died, we went grocery shopping and each had our own list.* He liked things like apple juice and white bread while I’m partial to bottled water and bagels. We walked up and down the aisles grabbing things off the shelf, laughing, and enjoying just being together.
The Christmas That Wasn’t
This time last year I was wrapping Christmas gifts for my three boys. This year I only shopped for two. It really sucks to stand in the greeting card aisle at Walgreens last week, crying while trying to avoid looking at the card sitting directly at eye-level that would have been perfect for Christopher. What kind of Christmas cards do you get for your other kids in this situation? “Sorry your brother died, happy holidays?” Crying in stores is par for the course right now.
A Little Up and To the Left
I had my first professional massage this week and, let me tell you, it was a doozy. I kinda liked it even though I’m writing this while in traction. I kid, I kid. But I legit feel like a baseball team used my back for batting practice. For such a svelte and sinewy woman, I think my massage therapist tears phone books in half on her days off. My husband, a massage connoisseur, booked a couple’s appointment when I finally agreed to try it after years of encouragement.
Here’s How to Donate Supplies, Money or Time After a Natural Disaster
Updated September 5, 2019 Volunteers place water bottles onto pallets outside the Tropicana Field in St. Petersburg, Fla. on Oct. 15, 2018. The Rays collected donations for those affected by Hurricane Michael in the Panhandle. Aileen Perilla/The Penny Hoarder Our world is not lacking in natural disasters. In any given month, communities are experiencing or cleaning up from a hurricane, flood, earthquake or other unexpected event.
Sales Advice For Small Businesses
LinkedIn is the largest social network for professionals, making it great for generating business leads. Benefits include having access to details like job titles and connections along with the ability to communicate on the site. To generate leads, you’ll need to decide on a target customer and whether you’ll run ads or send direct messages…. × Get Our Best Sales Articles Delivered Weekly! (Only if you want to get insider advice and tips) Email This email address is invalid.
6 Best Document Management Software Programs for 2019
Document management software helps businesses create, centralize, organize, and control documents and files. We looked at a variety of document management software solutions and compared them by price, features like storage, revision history, and collaboration tools as well as customer support to determine the top six, including a best overall.
6 Best VoIP Apps for 2019
VoIP apps let you access your business phone system on your mobile device. We evaluated apps offered by a variety of providers and narrowed it to the top six. We then compared the price, functionality, ease of use, and customer support to learn who each is right for, including which one is the best overall.
6 Best join.me Alternatives for 2019
Join.me is an online meeting tool built for screen sharing. However, its monthly fee, participant limits, and feature-set may not be the best fit for all businesses. To help, we reviewed several join.me competitors for price, functionality, and customer support to learn which ones stood out as the best join.me alternatives.
International Calling Rates: How Much Do International Calls Cost?
International calling rates have become more economical as phone services transition to voice-over-internet-protocol (VoIP) technology, but they can still add up quickly. We compared the international calling rates from several top VoIP providers and found Vonage offers the best prices, with rates as low as $0.02 to the United Kingdom, India, and Brazil.
6 Best Small Business VoIP Phone Service Providers 2019
Voice-over-internet-protocol (VoIP) phone services are internet-based alternatives to traditional landline phones with features like auto-attendants, voicemail, and customer relationship management integration. We evaluated the best VoIP providers and narrowed it to the six best. Then, we compared their price, features, and more to learn who each is right for and which is the best overall.
6 Best Customer Database Software for 2019
Customer database software helps businesses organize, manage, and track customer relationships. We looked at a variety of customer database software solutions and narrowed it down to the top six. We then compared and contrasted the price, features and customer support to learn which ones stood out and which is the best overall.
Grasshopper vs RingCentral: Who’s the Best in 2019?
Virtual phone providers RingCentral and Grasshopper both offer features like unlimited calling, voicemail and phone numbers at an affordable price. Grasshopper is a good fit for solopreneurs who want a business line on their personal phone, but we believe RingCentral is the best virtual phone provider for its range of features and superior customer support.
Show More
loading
Actions
Get in touch with Lisa
Contact Lisa, search articles and posts on X, monitor coverage, and track replies from one place.
Learn more about Muck Rack