Helpful exercises for grieving moms
580929
First of all, I'm so sorry that you have cause to purchase this book. It means that you or someone you care about is in pain.

This book was a godsend for me. After back-to-back pregnancy losses, I was floundering. I just felt so sad and didn't know what to do with that feeling. I needed something concrete to help me work through my grief, and this book provided that. There were specific exercises I could do, like writing a detailed account of my experience, or doing a balloon release on my due date. Those exercises helped me to process my pain.

I should mention this book is what I would call "Christian lite." If you are not Christian, atheist or offended by spiritual references, this might not be the book for you. If you are agnostic or identify as Christian, you will be fine.
229544
Aftermath is a very accurate word for learning how to grow into our new "normal."  No one on the earth has been unaffected or untouched by grief, whether it is a personal experience or impersonal.  By impersonal, it is what tugs on our hearts, causes prayers to flow from our lips or tears to spill from our eyes when news of tragedy has struck whether it is near or far, we grieve the same.  Now, mind you, I am not saying we grieve in the same way, just stating we feel or grieve regardless of many factors.
 To be honest, this was one book I really didn't want to read.  Yet in His Sovereignty, the Lord had me sign up to write a review of it.  I wasn't aware of my need to read these comforting words, but He was.  In June of this year, we lost my mother-in-law, in 2010 my father-in-law, in 2003 a dear friend, and in 2000 my husband's only sister.  Now my father has very advanced Alzheimer's so he isn't the man I once knew.  My mother and I aren't very close.  Don't misunderstand; I love my parents, but the loss of closeness I suffer from happened many years back.  It still affects my todays, though not all of them, and will affect my tomorrows in some measure.  The grief I have is very deep and complex.  It evens crops up when I wish to goodness it wouldn't.
 The heart of what Margret shares in her book contains many riches unearthed during the process of writing the book as she shares in her introduction.  Margret shares her mother's written legacy as well as her father's, even some from people before them.  For me, it reminded me that the journals I have written and kept are the legacy I hope my children unearth after I am home in heaven.  I pray too that they are filled with words that bring God glory, comfort my sons and whoever else may read them.
 In the book the emotions of grief are what are shared, not the "stages" which makes this book more helpful than other books.  Why?  The reason is if we talk about stages, then we tend think of it happening in sequential rhythm and in the same way for everyone, but that isn't true.  We are all unique and go through the "stages" many times in many different sequences.  The emotions come when they come.  In the table of contents, they are identified as:  shock, denial, anger, bargaining, depression, and acceptance.  The author doesn't end there, which is also truth, as God does turn our mourning into dancing.
 In the final chapters, Margret shares ideas for:  a comfort box, helping others, footprints of faith, leaving a legacy, learning to fly and grace in the wilderness.  Regardless of your experiences with grief, this is a book to keep on the shelves as well as to share with others.  My personal thanks to the author for putting into print the many truths I, too, have discovered in the crucible of pain.
My rating is 5 stars.
3642220
Written in easy to understand language, this book walks the reader through  the grieving process.  It is a wonderful way to learn you are not the only  person to ever ride the rollercoaster of emotion that comes with losing  someone you love.  A great addition to your personal library, and likely  one of the most helpful gifts you could give.
2923243
I purchased this short book after losing a good friend in her battle against cancer.  The author gracefully discussed what to expect from the grieving process, both from a griever's perspective and the perspective of a friend who wants to help.  After reading the many useful and practical tips, I feel I'm much better-equipped to deal with the death of loved ones, and I'm much more confident about how to interact with those who recently lost someone very close to them.  I highly recommend this book, because it's well-written, very helpful, and short enough to be a quick and easy read.
3778828
Exceptional resource for dealing with loss and the process of grieving. The book was lovingly presented to me by a friend when I lost both my parents within two months of one another. Now I give the book to those I love who are experiencing the aftermaths of losing a loved one.<a data-hook="product-link-linked" class="a-link-normal" href="/Healing-After-Loss-Daily-Meditations-For-Working-Through-Grief/dp/0380773384/ref=cm_cr_arp_d_rvw_txt?ie=UTF8">Healing After Loss: Daily Meditations For Working Through Grief</a>
3220579
My dad recently passed away my mom is having a very hard time so I got this book for her.  She is still struggling but the book has helped.
1998848
I recently lost my husband and this book was recommended to me.  I have found it to be extremely helpful and easy to follow.  Coincidentally, it ties in with many of the ideas, strategies, discussions, I have had in the Grief Support Group I have also been attending.  I would highly recommend this book to anyone who is going through the grieving process, whether it is for a spouse, child, parent, or friend, significant other.
423352
This book helped a lot with grief and understanding
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.
3102658
This book has helped me understand what it means to lose someone. I recently lost my mother in law. That was the closest person to me who has ever passed away. This book has helped me grief.
2450600
I am so thankful that I decided to go ahead and purchase this book after the death of my mother. The prompted pages really help in working through the grieving process. As a therapist I will be recommending this product to my clients in the future. If you are reading this then it is a fair bet that you have lost someone dear to you. I wish you peace and a gentle journey through the sorrow and pain that grief brings. If you use this book it will help you go through the process but nothing will hurry grief along. It is a process that everyone journeys through in their own way. Hugs and blessings to you.
3254975
<a data-hook="product-link-linked" class="a-link-normal" href="/Healing-After-Loss-Daily-Meditations-For-Working-Through-Grief/dp/0380773384/ref=cm_cr_arp_d_rvw_txt?ie=UTF8">Healing After Loss: Daily Meditations For Working Through Grief</a>&nbsp;I got so much more than I expected from this small & affordable book. It's a GOLDMINE for those suffering a loss.  After a loss, I often  did not have the energy to read long or complex books.  These daily messages are simple, to the point, and SO HELPFUL.  The size of the book makes it portable, (for your purse, backpack....)as, I often can't predict when a grief reaction will hit me during a day.  The author draws upon a diverse sources for quotes, and the readings have been amazingly affirmative.  It feels like the author really knows what she's talking about...it's not "cheesy advice." The short, succinct messages have helped me get through some of the most difficult days after my loss....one day at a time.  I really appreciate the genius mix of simplicity & powerful affirmation.  I feel like writing the author a thank you note!  I give a copy to people who have lost someone. I think it's a more practical gift than a sympathy card.
1982534
This week, I had the chance to read a book that landed on the keeper list for when I need resources to share with hurting hearts. Twenty-nine years ago, our family learned firsthand about infant loss when my nephew was stillborn. Back then, people didn't talk about infant loss, and since his death was utterly unexpected, we scrambled to find books or other resources to help us navigate our pain.

There were so few options.

There are more now, but Loved Baby by Sarah Philpott, is the one I read this week and it's the one I'll be recommending and buying to share from now on when I learn of a friend who is walking through the loss of a baby.

I know this journey probably also describes a fair number of you who are reading. My heart breaks for you, whether you have experienced miscarriage, stillbirth, ectopic pregnancy, or young baby loss. Death always brings a rather unwelcome range of emotions, but trying to process the loss of such a young life seems to push those ranges to even higher heights and deeper depths. And that's where this book can help you.

Let me tell you about the book. It contains 31 devotions to help you through both the grieving process and the cherishing process. Yes, that's right! No matter how young that little one was when you had to say goodbye, he or she deserves to be cherished as a life that came to be part of your family, even if briefly.

Each devotion covers a different topic, and they include: searching for why this happened, navigating the hurtful (and often thoughtless) words of others, mourning, honoring your due date, handling the emotions that flood in with future pregnancies, and even learning to reconnect emotionally and sexually with your spouse after the loss.

Sarah writes from her own experience, but she also includes snippets of stories, thoughts, and advice from a host of other women who experienced their losses in various stages of pregnancy. The words within each chapter are soaked in compassion, not clinical at all, and are comforting, timely advice for mothers who grieve.

Though I have not experienced a pregnancy loss personally, I've walked with family and friends who have and can attest that the wisdom in this book is solid and needed. I also found much of it helpful for loss in general. I recognized pieces of my own grieving processes from completely different situations! Grief can have different details, but it has a universal core.

This book brings the hope of Heaven to hurting moms, reminding them that their dear, loved baby is cradled in the arms of God even now. And though that would not have been the story line they would have chosen, there is comfort in knowing that God cares for these sweet babies from the moment their souls leave this earth.

Each chapter ends with a nugget of soul work: something to process or an exercise to try as you heal. It also includes a brief prayer related to the topic of that chapter.

I wish this book had been written 29 years earlier, but I am so thankful it has been written now. It's a beautiful little gift book: hardcover with a ribbon bookmark, and would make a thoughtful gift to anyone going through loss.

Thanks to the Blythe Daniel Agency for providing me with a complimentary copy of the book and an extra copy to give away. All opinions are my own!
1856163
This wonderful new book offers a wealth of resources to the bereaved or, indeed, those suffering any type of loss or emotional setback. Here, you will find solace for the grieving, hope for the depressed, and relief for the anxious. There are helpful tools of all kinds to explore, along with Susan's own words of encouragement and comfort, as you journey toward healing at your own pace with this useful and compassionate companion.
2410457
Excellent resource for someone who has lost a loved one.  I just ran across it one day several months after losing my husband of 53 years.  Not a study and you don't really have to spend a lot of time reading.  Just  read when you need to calm yourself or give yourself a lift when lonely.  I just read a page or two and my spirits are lifted.  A friend of mine just recently lost her husband and I cold no longer find it in the store so I checked on Amazon and there it was.
1352001
Author, Rachel Wojo experienced her share of difficulty.  She found herself a divorced, single mom of severely disabled child.  Writing from first hand experience, Rachel shares how to replace your feelings of despair with scripture.

Rachel reminds us that God would rather hear about our bad day rather than not hear from us at all.  One of the themes throughout her books is that "Prayer trumps panic every time."

I found it helpful that the book was divided into separate sections:

A quote before each chapter

The body of each chapter

Pillars of Truth to Lean On (These are Bible verses that Rachel used to make it "one more step.")

Stepping Stones (This is a section that helps you get started journaling.)

Discussion Questions to Facillitate a 4 Week Small Group Study

Thoughts to Keep You Going for each Chapter

Hymns to Accompany each Chapter

By breaking the book into these separate sections, it made the book easier to navigate.  I also found that when I wanted to look back and find something encouraging, it was easy to find what I was looking for in the book.

I highly recommend this book to all women, especially moms.  The author is able to relate to moms with a variety of concerns in their lives. If you know a mom with a disabled child, then this book would be a tremendous encouragement for them.  Rachel's daughter suffers from a debilitating condition and she candidly shares her struggles.

  Disclaimer:  I received this book for free from the Waterbrook Multnomah Publishing Company in exchange for an honest review.
1802124
This would be a great gift for anyone experiencing a loss in the past year. I will take a copy to the hospice where my Mom passed.