First let me say that I never, in my worst nightmare, would have wanted to write a book on this subject. But because I did have the worst thing happen to me in my life, I wanted to let people who have never experienced the loss of a child have a better understanding of what life is like for the parents, a sibling, and family members after the loss of a child. If you have lost a loved one then I am very sorry for your loss. If you are a parent looking for advice, a relative, neighbor or fri...

Sixteen women from all walks of life share their stories of widowhood in this "wonderful collection of 'life after loss' experiences" (Natalie Treadwell, founder of Food for Life).When author and life coach Mary Francis found herself widowed at fifty, she turned to other widows for support, understanding, and answers. Now she shares some of the stories that helped her find a new beginning for herself in The Sisterhood of Widows.This powerful book of ...

There’s nothing funny about dying … or is there? Malachy McCourt, Jacquelyn Mitchard, and 22 more share hilarious and moving stories of confronting death. Exit Laughing makes death more approachable as it reveals the funny side of “passing on.” As painful as it is to lose a loved one, Exit Laughing shows us that in times of grief, humor can help us with coping and even healing.Best-selling author Amy Ferris explains how her mother’s dementia led to a permanent ban...

Losing a loved one--whether a spouse, parent, child, sibling, or friend--leaves people feeling overwhelmed and hopeless. Holidays and other special occasions seem to intensify the pain. Whether the occasion is Christmas or Easter, a birthday or anniversary, these celebrations force the bereaved to again face the reality of a loved one's absence.Susan Zonnebelt-Smeenge and Robert C. De Vries know firsthand the sorrow of bereavement: Both lost a spouse. Yet as they faced their pain a...

"Thank you, Catherine Sanders, for giving us a book that few others could have written. Every page speaks both the depth of your compassion and the breadth of your knowledge. This book will be a wise companion on the difficult journey from loss to recovery."— Robert Kastenbaum, Ph.D., author of The Psychology of Death"How to Survive the Loss of a Child is a godsend to those in the field as well as t...

Now available in paperback -- Jan Hatanaka's powerful, life-enhancing book on how six people, encountering significant adversity, made a conscious choice to work to build a life of meaning.Using six stories from her casebook as a therapist, Hatanaka explores and illustrates the complex relationships that exist between death and grief and the path that can lead to reconciling that grief.Included in her stories is her own heart-wrenching and dramatic experience following a ma...

What do millions of American women have in common? They've experienced abortion.You might be one of these women. Or maybe it's your friend, sister, coworker, or the woman sitting next to you at church. Regardless, post-abortive women are in pain, and at some point, most will experience abortion post-traumatic stress disorder (abortion PTSD). But they may never talk about it. Many are silent because they are filled with shame, grief, and guilt, afraid of judgment an...

The death of a loved one is difficult for a myriad of reasons, and coming to terms with our grief demands attention and energy. Sudden, unexpected death can be challenging to negotiate and requires some different coping strategies. The simple word ‘disbelief’ can be a significant hurdle for months. Since each person’s grief response is highly personal and individual to them, this book is less prescriptive than it is one of honouring one person’s response to the sudden death of her husband. An...

WINNER OF 3 LITERARY AWARDSMarci lost her 20-year-old brother. Julie lost her 42-year-old husband. Bonnie lost her 16-year-old son. They all have three things in common: losing a loved one to suicide, facing a rollercoaster of overwhelming emotions, and embarking on a heartfelt journey seeking understanding, healing and hope.Part of the award-winning Grief Diaries series, Surviving Loss by Suicide shares the poignant stories of people who have all lost some...

This is the remarkable account of the last days of one womans life. As author Basia Bonkowski gathers with her brothers to watch over their mother as she lies in hospital, she gradually unravels the threads that have formed the rich tapestry of her mothers life and her own. As a girl her mother fled the Russians as they advanced through Poland during World War II. As a young wife she came to Australia with her husband and infant son to forge a new life. Hers is a story of heartache and los...

The oldest game in the world? Well, some funeral directors out there definitely see it as a licence to print money.Industry insider, John Parry, has a decade of experience and has witnessed many vulnerable bereaved families exploited by funeral arrangers determined to reach their revenue targets. Don’t be one of them!This practical book will not only clue you up on how the industry works, but also guide you through the myriad of choices and practicalities that need to be ar...

Passed and Present is a one-of-a-kind guide for discovering creative and meaningful ways to keep the memory of loved ones alive.Inspiring and imaginative, this bona fide "how-to” manual teaches us how to remember those we miss most, no matter how long they’ve been gone. Passed and Present is not about sadness and grieving. It is about happiness and remembering. It is possible to look forward, to live a rich and joyful life, while ...