From My Heart


Book Description

My only son was murdered in December 2012 and I was having a very hard time dealing with my grief. I looked into councelling groups but the meetings were held on week nights, and this was impossilbe for me as I work an afternoon shift. I would come home from work and write how I felt in a notepad, as I was doing this, my expressions of grief were coming out in poems. I began posting my expressions of my grief on my facebook page., my family would comment on how beautiful they were, and that maybe I should consider publishing them in a book. I thought no who would really want to read about my grief and how I hurt inside. Then I found a facebook page for grieving mothers and began posting my expressions there. In no time so many grieving mothers from all over were wanting to share my poems. They had all encouraged my to write my expressions in a book and thats what I've done. For all the grieving mothers in the world this is from my heart.




Crossing the River


Book Description

A powerful exploration of grief and resilience following the death of the author's son that combines memoir, reportage, and lessons in how to heal Everyone deals with grief in their own way. Helen Macdonald found solace in training a wild gos­hawk. Cheryl Strayed found strength in hiking the Pacific Crest Trail. For Carol Smith, a Pulitzer Prize­ nominated journalist struggling with the sudden death of her seven-year-old son, Christopher, the way to cross the river of sorrow was through work. In Crossing the River, Smith recounts how she faced down her crippling loss through reporting a series of profiles of people coping with their own intense chal­lenges, whether a life-altering accident, injury, or diag­nosis. These were stories of survival and transformation, of people facing devastating situations that changed them in unexpected ways. Smith deftly mixes the stories of these individuals and their families with her own account of how they helped her heal. General John Shalikashvili, once the most powerful member of the American military, taught Carol how to face fear with discipline and endurance. Seth, a young boy with a rare and incurable illness, shed light on the totality of her son's experiences, and in turn helps readers see that the value of a life is not measured in days. Crossing the River is a beautiful and profoundly moving book, an unforgettable journey through grief toward hope, and a valuable, illuminating read for anyone coping with loss.




Grieving the Death of a Mother


Book Description

A thoughtful guide to getting through the loss of a mother.




Surviving Sorrow


Book Description

Advice from One Grieving Mom to Others When Kim’s three-year-old son tragically passed away, she found plenty of resources on grieving. She says what she really needed, though, "was someone who would give me advice for living, not just grieving . . . How do I get through the grocery store without crying? What do I do with my son’s things? When will my mind stop replaying the emergency room scene?" Now, ten years later, she’s written that book. With raw vulnerability, a deep well of wisdom, and the practical knowledge of someone who’s been there, she walks grieving moms through the life-after-death process from how to plan the funeral to how to deal with friends, family, holidays, and birthdays. This is a profound and powerful resource that’s invaluable for the mom who has lost a child—and for her friends and family who want to love her well.




Treasures in Darkness


Book Description

God is keeping the promise of Isaiah 45:2-3 to me. In this book I share some of those treasures of darkness.




Comfort for the Grieving Adult Child's Heart


Book Description

"The author's ability to connect with the those grieving the loss of a parent is so evident. Readers will see themselves on almost every page and find the comfort they need in Gary's compassionate empathy and counsel." - Paul Casale, Licensed Professional Counselor/Marriage and Family Therapist The loss of a parent is painful. The loss of a mother or father can be traumatic. Oblivious to our suffering, the world around us speeds on as if nothing happened. Stunned, shocked, sad, confused, and angry, we blink in disbelief. Our hearts are broken. We've known them all our lives. How could they be gone? We look for comfort. Our broken, grieving hearts need it to survive. Multiple award-winning author, hospice chaplain, and grief counselor Gary Roe is a trusted voice who has been helping wounded, grieving hearts find hope and healing for more than three decades. Written with heartfelt compassion, this warm, easy-to-read, and practical book reads like a caring conversation with a friend and will become a comforting companion as you navigate the turbulent waters of grief. Gary's desire is to meet you in your grief and walk with you there. Composed of brief chapters, Comfort for the Grieving Adult Child's Heart is designed to be read one chapter per day, giving you bite-sized bits of comfort, encouragement, and healing over a period of time. You do not have to read it this way, of course. We all grieve differently. Read in the way that is most natural for you. In Comfort for the Grieving Adult Child's Heart, you will discover how to... Process complicated grief emotions (sadness, anger, guilt, confusion, guilt, anxiety, depression, feeling overwhelmed, etc). Navigate all the relational changes - feeling alone, misunderstood, isolated, and even rejected by those around you. Handle the increased stress and uncertainty that this heavy loss can bring. Deal with physical and mental health issues, illnesses, and new symptoms that often arise. Take care of yourself through diet, hydration, fitness, and rest. Deal with a myriad of practical issues (financial challenges, parenting, family activities), Handle the intense sense of being orphaned that comes with this loss. You will also find hope in how to... Think through the challenging spiritual and faith questions that frequently surface. Relate well to the people around you - those who are helpful and those who aren't. Overcome the tendency to run from emotional pain with unhealthy habits or compulsive behaviors. Deal well with triggers and the grief bursts that will come. Find the support you need for survival, recovery, and healing (safe people, fellow grievers, counseling, etc.). Develop a simple, realistic plan for birthdays, anniversaries, and holidays. Use your grief for good - for yourself, your family, and others. Allow this loss to give you greater perspective and motivate you to live more effectively than ever before. Make your life count, one day, one moment at a time. Please don't grieve alone. Let Comfort for the Adult Child's Heart join you on this arduous, tasking journey. Be kind to yourself. Take your heart seriously. Death has invaded, but it doesn't have to win. Read on. Comfort awaits you in these pages of this book.




An Empty Cradle, a Full Heart


Book Description

“Bereavement after the loss of a baby is often quiet and lonely,” writes Christine O’Keeffe Lafser, who has twice lost a child to death. “There is no wake or funeral, no grave site, no memorial to our baby’s life or death. . . . Since there are no real memories of our little one’s life, people have a hard time comprehending the depth of our love and grief.” In these reflections, Lafser offers grieving parents the empathy and courage that can come only from one who has walked the same difficult path. “Chris expressed so many of my thoughts and feelings and made me feel so normal. . . . The greatest gift is learning that God does not desert us in our time of need.” Linda Davis, Compassionate Friends, after miscarriage and stillbirth “The juxtaposition of a Scripture text with each reflection is inspired. Some of the texts are breathtaking in their beauty and appropriateness. This book is a ‘must’ for anyone who is ever touched by the loss of an infant.” Joseph Awad, poet and grieving grandfather “This book will be very helpful for parents who are mourning the loss of their child. It will also prove very beneficial to anyone who is ministering to a bereaved parent.” Robert N. Craig, O.F.M. Cap., hospital chaplain “These reflections allowed me to ‘be’ how I was feeling—not feel like I should be going through the stages of grief that other books described. With this book I was no longer a square peg trying to fit into a round hole.” Jeanette Siebels, after infant death




Hope Springs from a Mother's Broken Heart


Book Description

Author Theresa Anthony tragically lost her twenty-five-year-old son to suicide in 2013. In the years since his death she has been tasked with navigating the often-treacherous grief journey, a particularly rough path for parents. In Hope Springs from a Mother's Broken Heart, Ms. Anthony draws from her own personal experience to offer comfort and guidance to mothers who have lost a child. The author also compiles short stories of ten courageous mothers who collaborated to share their own stories of survival after such a devastating loss. This self-help book serves as a useful guide for grieving mothers who are grappling with unimaginable loss and sorrow. Each mother's heartbreaking story includes helpful tips for the reader, such as coping tools accessed and self-care strategies. Most noteworthy, though, are the strength and grace these women exemplify. The reader cannot help but be impressed and inspired by the incredible ways these grieving mothers have chosen to honor their lost son or daughter.Hope Springs from a Mother's Broken Heart: 11 Mothers Share how They Survived the Loss of a Child is Ms. Anthony's second book. Her memoir, My 13th Station: A Mother Shares Her Son's Tragic Battle with Depression, Alcoholism, and Demons, was published in 2019.




But I Didn't Say Goodbye


Book Description

What do you do when your father dies by suicide while you are in the hospital awaiting the birth of your triplets? What do you do when you can't attend your father's funeral because physician orders include complete bed rest? What do you do when you realize that you experienced a devastating loss and that you are not alone in that experience? You write a book and dedicate your life to helping others affected by suicide! Barbara Rubel's fictional characters in But I Didn't Say Goodbye are a compilation of what individuals may experience throughout their lifetime as a suicide loss survivor. But I Didn't Say Goodbye: Helping Families After a Suicide tells the story, from the perspective of an eleven-year-old boy, Alex, and his family, as they are rocked by suicide and reeling from the aftermath. Through Alex's eyes, the reader will see the transformation of feelings after going through a death by suicide. New to the third edition, each chapter ends with Alex reflecting 10 years later on his experience, introducing family members and friends in his recollections. Barbara Rubel has combined our modern academic theories of grieving, and the research that supports those theories, and then translated them into a readable story for anyone bereaved by suicide. The revised edition is an evidence-informed and contemporary treatment of a devastating form of loss that uses the artful device of a hypothetical case study to render it in human terms. Through the story, the reader will understand what losing someone to suicide might be like for a family, how to make meaning in the loss, and ways to experience personal growth. This self-help book was revised to provide guidance and education for clinicians (e.g., mental health providers, social workers, psychologists, school counselors, and case managers) and families to help suicide loss survivors. Part 1 offers a basic understanding of suicide postvention, suicide loss survivors, complicated grief, mourning theories, the American death system, and the impact on clinician survivors. Chapters have been substantially updated, based on mourning models and the latest research. The chapters in Part 2 build upon one another sequentially, from the day of the suicide to the anniversary of the death. At the end of each chapter, there are follow-up questions to explore in counseling sessions, support groups, therapy sessions, or at home. Also, at the end of each chapter, Alex, at the age of 21, reflects back on how his father's death by suicide has changed his life, wounding him, but also helping him to grow.




How to Heal a Grieving Heart


Book Description

When you’re grieving, you need support and comfort, and How to Heal a Grieving Heart provides practical and spiritual help. Each page of this small, full-color gift-style book (a companion to the soon-to-be-published Talking to Heaven Mediumship Cards) contains a comforting message to help grieving people come to terms with their loss. The content is simple and direct, because the authors know and respect that grieving people often have difficulty concentrating and following through on what they read. The reader can open up to a random page, designed with beautiful colors and typeset in attractive fonts, and meditate upon the entry. Doreen Virtue and James Van Praagh wrote the book that they wished they could have had when they were both grieving losses. Based upon their years of experience as grief counselors and mediums, Doreen and James have created a gentle book that is a perfect gift for a grieving friend.