Living With and Surving Grief

Our church family started a new ministry this year offering a wonderful program to people who were dealing with grief as the result of death of a loved one. It has been a very good and fulfilling experience to be involved with this ministry. I've learned so much and I realize sometimes folks don't realize there are many books out there that provide understanding, comfort and empathy when someone really needs it.
Personally, within the past 10 years I lost several of my own family in death and excellent writings helped me understand what I was going through. A part of those grieving times was the experience of two miscarriages. My heart was so heavy and sad. Here are a few of my favorite books and others that may help you or a someone you know in their own time of grieving.

0-0-0

Everyday Comfort: Meditations for Seasons of Grief, updated edition By Randy Becton People who are mourning the loss of a dear friend or beloved family member often feel alone. And those who want to comfort them can feel inadequate and at a loss for words. In Everyday Comfort, grievers will find thirty daily devotions to help them through their heartache. Respecting the griever's anguish and emotional turmoil, these devotions avoid platitudes and offer genuine empathy and wisdom. Subjects like recovery, facing death, normal grief and abnormal grief, and using the psalms daily will help those who grieve examine the path through despair and take the next steps toward living life again.

0-0-0

Experiencing Grief By H. Norman Wright Sooner or later, we all face a dark journey - the passage through grief. Written to encourage anybody who's recently endured a loss, this brief, powerful book leads readers through five essential stages: shock, rage, despair, release, and finally peace. A thoughtful gift in lieu of a sympathy card. Paperback.  The following is a book about losing your Mom - no matter how old or young you may be, losing a Mother is one of life's saddest times. I miss my Mom every single day.

With Her and Without Her By Kimber Dailey

0-0-0

It's Okay to Cry: A Parent's Guide to Helping Children Through the Losses of Life By H. Norman Wright When a child experiences loss, whether it be small (a broken toy) or traumatic (death of a friend or family member), he or she needs to know: it's okay to cry. Here is practical advice and assurance borne of years of experience that will equip you to assist those you love to grieve and to heal.

Our family suffered when I had two miscarriages - they were experiences of heavy grief and sadness. I made a memory book for our babies and because I actually delivered Jonathan with the family around me, we got to hold him, get his little feet prints and do all the precious things as we said our good-byes. The loss of our Jordan was first and definitely more traumatic. I had good friends I could talk with who had gone through the same thing. That helped. It also helped to read several good books.

I'll Hold You in Heaven Remembrance Book

0-0-0

Grieving the Child I Never Knew: A Devotional Companion for Comfort in the Loss of Your Unborn or Newly Born By Kathe Wunnenberg Grieving the Child I Never Knew offers comfort and the reassurance of God's presence as you grieve the loss of a child you never got to know. If you've lost a child through miscarriage, tubal pregancy, stillbirth, or early infant death, this devotional will encourage you along your healing journey. Each chapter includes a journaling exercise. Hardcover.