Excellent book on this whole issue of grief
597171
Excellent book on this whole issue of grief. The writer provides a well-written guide including practical steps to overcome and deal with grief. A lot of the contents demonstrate how much of what we experience is perfectly normal when e are going through the process which is helpful. Overall, a positive and helpful book covering all of the aspects. Ideal for anyone struggling with this issue.
611131
This book covers so much ground about grieving, why we feel the way we do and how to get over loss.  It is comprehensive and very insightful.  Tremendously helpful.
284113
Joyce's book about grieving following the loss of a loved one is beautifully written.  She is very open about her feelings, expressing very honestly how the loss of a dear loved one effects an individual both physically and mentally.  I loved how she put into words what a profound process that grieving can be.  I think that Joyce's book will not only be helpful for those who have experienced the death of a loved one themselves; but it is also helpful for friends and others to know how to reach out to someone who is grieving.  Joyce's acknowledgement of the realm of emotions that one feels and the complexity of healing during the course of grieving, provides understanding, empathy, and hope.
3791754
This book was recommended by my dear friend, a child life specialist who also conducts grief counseling. It is an excellent book that gives one the tools to better understand the grieving process. I purchased it so that I could be an encourager to those who experience loss (whatever the reason). The book emphasized the healing power of facing the loss and allowing oneself to grieve and mourn each element of the loss. When one does that, it is another step toward healing. Each person experiences trauma and grief in their own way and time frame. It is a book that I will keep as a reference and for continued study.
2063453
I have read several books on grief since my sons passing on May 20, 2016.  I have to say that this is by far one of the best reads for me personally.  It is as though the author and I sat down to a cup of coffee and she asked me "If I were to write a book on grief what would truly help you" and her book would be my reply.  I love the chapter of PTSD for grief and I didn't even realize there was such a thing associated with grief.  I truly feel this book has given me coping skills and affirmed that I am not going crazy and that what I am experiencing in my tremendous loss is normal.  Thank you, Cat, for using your amazing talent to reach others through your own incredible loss and heartache.
1419117
Item was in excellent condition. Speedy delivery, and this book is absolutely excellent for any daughter who has lost her Mom. This book helped me greatly as my Mom passed away 16 months ago. I actually bought this copy because my previous copy got ruined by accident when one of my children accidently spilled their drink on it. This book helped me so much I purchased this one within a week of the other one having to be thrown away. Highly recommend this book. A+ all the way. Especially through the grieving process you realize more than ever you are not alone in your grief and will never stop missing that loss even for those that didn't have a close knit relationship with their Moms.
3072647
I LOST MY 12 YEAR OLD DAUGHTER BRITTANY TO A RARE, AGGRESSIVE CANCER ALMOST 10 YEARS AGO. I READ EVERYTHING AND ANYTHING I COULD GET MY HANDS ON TO HELP WITH THIS GREATEST OF LOSSES. THIS BOOK WAS THE ONLY ONE THAT I FELT ADDRESSED ALL THE REAL ISSUES AND STRUGGLES THAT GO ON AFTER THE LOSS OF A CHILD-MOST ESPECIALLY THE DIFFERENCES IN HOW MEN AND WOMEN GRIEVE. I HAVE ORDERED THIS BOOK FOR SO MANY OTHERS WHO HAVE  SUFFERED A LOSS AND THEY HAVE CONFIRMED HOW HELPFUL THIS BOOK WAS TO THEM AS WELL. I EVEN EMAILED JOHN AFTER I READ THE BOOK BECAUSE IT WAS OUT OF CIRCULATION FOR AWHILE AND HE SENT ME A COPY. I AM SO HAPPY THE BOOK IS BACK. I HAVE ALREADY ORDERED IT FOR A FRIEND OF MINE WHO LOST A DAUGHTER TO SIDS.
THANKS JOHN FOR YOUR CONTRIBUTION TO THIS TOUGH SUBJECT AND YOUR ABILITY TO PUT INTO WORDS WHAT WE ARE FEELING, HAVE FELT OR WILL FEEL. GOD BLESS YOU MY FRIEND.
ANNA MARIE
1069963
I lost my spouse 4 years ago, and with her passing came my grief.  I've read a lot about bereavement, hoping to understand what I was experiencing better.

This is the best book about grief I've come across. Clearly written and interesting. The author has done research on grief for years. Its comforting to know about this research. There's a lot in the book about natural resilience, and how we are wired naturally to deal with loss. But I found the chapter on severe grief reactions and therapy especially helpful.

The author's message appears to me that therapy for bereavement works, but only when you need it. That seems about right to me.
4060880
I finally had the chance to read this through while traveling earlier this week. Darcy does a wonderful job of organizing the chaos of those few months into a completely lucid narrative of the whole process of dealing with death and grief. Her style naturally draws in the reader and she brings up so many things that those who have dealt with the loss of of a loved one feel and go through, it can truly help those grieving realize they are not alone. The strength of her and her husband's faith, in their religion and each other, really comes through. Thank you for sharing these private moments in hopes of helping others deal with terrible situations like this. I'm sure her husband would be proud at what she produced out of the misery of this journey.
893535
Baby boomers changed the medical culture surrounding birth and instituted the cultural conversation surrounding death and dying. Grief however, remained the poor relation, hiding in the closet. Until Megan. Her approach to grief stems from 2 critically valid sources: education and personal experience, and is accurate and impossible to ignore. Her book opens doors to those in deep grief as well as those who seek to support friends or family who suffer loss but understand little about grieving: and so, are up against the barricades of uncertainty. Megan offers emotionally courageous answers to the messy, thorny questions that invariably arise with loss; she understands the subject from the inside, out and back. Her book was not yet written in 2012 when my son Baylin died tragically and unexpectedly. I wish it was, and wish that my support system had it as part of their grief arsenal. When everything is bleak Megan's book offers direction, and that is of enormous help to those who are bereft. For any whose lives are blown apart by deep loss Megan's book is an important resource. It's an emotionally intelligent book, offering compassion and insight. It can make a difference. And, when the universe throws a meteor that upends lives, anything that helps, anything that makes a difference is as rare as hen's teeth.
4486958
The book deals with a subject most are reluctant to discuss: loss.  The author explains how she dealt with the loss of her child, with tremendous insight and does so with humor. It helps the reader to heal and is a enjoyable read on a difficult subject. My friend has given out several copies to friends dealing with loss and has definitely planted the seeds of healing.
3873898
Sad, touching, and helpful. I read it, then passed it on to my elderly dad, who recently lost his wife (my stepmom), and is on hospice himself. It has given us a new way to talk about our grief, and I think it has helped us both. It is particularly nice for Dad to have a true story to relate to that is appropriate for an atheist. His caregivers are all Christian, and while they're wonderful, they don't really know how to talk with him about some aspects of his loss without making him uncomfortable. This book lets him feel that he is not alone in his beliefs.

Each 2-page spread basically functions as a stand-alone illustrated story, so Dad's cognitive challenges (he will read articles of several pages, but not a whole book) are definitely not a barrier to his enjoying and absorbing this book.

Plus it's beautiful!

A hospice caregiver saw the book and really likes it. He says he'll be recommending it to clients.
113659
Goodbye Sheepie does an excellent job of dealing with a tough subject; the death of a pet.  In very little text, the author is able to show the deep love that existed between the boy and his dog, the boys grief, and the fathers supportive love and understanding as the boy says his goodbye.  I thought it was very interesting that the word death is never used here.  No form of afterlife is mentioned and no religious beliefs are referenced.  I feel that this is the real gift that this book offers.  It's a discussion starter between parents and kids, and is a jumping off point that the parent can use to then continue with whatever beliefs the family holds.

The illustrations convey alot of the emotion in this book.  I think this is probably the best picture book out there dealing with this subject.  Any small child and their parents who are coping with the death of a pet will find comfort here.  A big recommend when needed.
992296
This book was recommended to me by a wonderful lady by the name of Mary who owns a bookstore in Sandwich, MA on the Cape. I was curious as to how it would fare due to how thin it was but I began reading it immediately. I could NOT put it down. I read it in one sitting as it's very easy to read due to it's journal style. Nicholas Wolterstorff is a master at writing about all the feelings one goes through after a loss. Feelings that leave you scratching your head and wondering how you arrived at them and yet mange to still function as part of society. Feelings that leave you numb and wounded from the heavy burden and pain. Feelings that if you wanted to capture you would struggle to form concise sentences from the sheer overwhelming nature of them. Nicholas manages all of the above and more. He will touch you with his heart-wrenching understanding of grief. I cried, I nodded my head, I marveled at just how much my pain was not only recognized but acknowledged and validated. My pain is still with me, you will never be rid of it nor should you want to be (a notion mentioned in the book) but I have a feeling of peace more so than before I read it. This peace I think comes from not being alone in my pain. And while I wouldn't wish the loss of a child on anyone, I'm so blessed to have had the chance to read Lament for a Son because it has allowed me to feel part of a community of mourners. A community where I am allowed to suffer and grieve, but also clearly be aware of why I suffer and that is because I LOVE. Sadly in the real world we are made to feel we must 'get over' our loss and as a result are outcast in society. Through his words Nicholas Wolterstorff shows just how much of a force death and grief affect the loved ones left on earth. This book is a gift for those in pain from loss and is also a gift for those who want to help family or friends but don't know what to say. My son was stillborn and while this loss is diffeent from losing a 25 year old child, it is still a loss that has forever changed me. Lament for a Son has helped me in my grief, and I hope it helps your pain too.
3393146
I am a seminary student in Minneapolis, Minnesota and was introduced to this book in a class I took that addressed the issue of Grief in Pastoral Care. For me, this book was transformative. While I have never experienced the grief of losing a loved one to suicide, I have experienced traumatic grief in my life. This book has the gift of speaking to many people who have been traumatized in their grief experience, whether suicide-related or not. I am also a Police Chaplain  and have recently been called to minister to four different families who have been impacted by this type of tragic loss. This resource not only helped me in my immediate ministry with the families, but I have used it as resource material for other Police Department Chaplains as well. Thanks to the author, for speaking so honestly about this topic and for helping those of us "on the front lines" educate and by God's infinite grace, perhaps, save lives.
4877389
After the deaths of my 15-year old daughter Elizabeth in February of this year and my Mom in May, I have been searching for a good book on grieving. After starting and tossing aside a number of books on the topic I found what I was looking for in this short, concise, powerful book. Grief can be overwhelming, even for a mature Christian, but this book helps us come to grips with our random thoughts and feelings and allows us to navigate our way through grief with God's help. I cannot recommend this book highly enough! If you've lost a loved one buy it for yourself. If you know someone who's lost a loved one buy one for them. They'll thank you for it. I've purchased extra copies to give away to those I know who've lost a loved one.
2706877
This is an excellent book on grief for those who have lost their spouses.  It is written by a man so either a man or woman would benefit from it.