We are deeply sorry for your loss . . .
Please remember
above the storm clouds
the sky is blue
Trust with compassion,
kindness, and grief-work
"you" will emerge;
one heartbeat at a time,
above this wildest storm of grief;
into honouring, missing, mourning, and (yes) weeping.
Your love & grief are irrevocably intertwined.
"Truly, it is allowed to weep. By weeping, we disperse our wrath;
and tears go through the heart, even like a stream." - OVID
above the storm clouds
the sky is blue
Trust with compassion,
kindness, and grief-work
"you" will emerge;
one heartbeat at a time,
above this wildest storm of grief;
into honouring, missing, mourning, and (yes) weeping.
Your love & grief are irrevocably intertwined.
"Truly, it is allowed to weep. By weeping, we disperse our wrath;
and tears go through the heart, even like a stream." - OVID
When you are bereaved the ache in your heart, along with the sinking sensation in your stomach, can control your world. You have joined a terrible club, and may feel irrevocably broken.
The stained glass sunrise is crafted from broken pieces. With persistent grief-work & compassionate support (yes) your shattered pieces will realign into the one-of-a-kind whole that is uniquely "you."
You made it through Mother's Day; and have navigated safely to "here." Be gentle with you; this is a complicated time for all who grieve.
As other poignant anniversaries (including Father's Day) loom, sharing your story with those you trust may "lighten" your burden a little bit. Sharing encourages an expanded healing circle for you. Each positive move you make buoys you.
Please scroll as we include insights we've found helpful, following the traumatic deaths of our seven children and one sister. We mark "hope" as the most sustaining; rarely losing its relevance, or its power.
Grief is the hardest work:
Keep expectations of yourself realistic. Despair and exhaustion are normal reactions to your loss. While your grief is not an attitude problem to be corrected with false joviality, still, it can be healthy for you to smile and laugh whenever you can.
Laughter is never disrespectful to your loved one's death. Your roller-coaster-ride of grief will present many different faces.
Grant yourself permission to grab little breaks: an embracing walk in nature, a cup of tea in a comfy chair, a quiet update in your journal, a distracting program. Perhaps an empathetic chat with a friend. While your tears may continue to flow, your mind and heart benefit from these small diversions from your pain.
Speak to "you" kindly. With no timelines for your journey, you will find a way to live with your sad and unexpected loss. We say "unexpected," because even if your loved-one has been seriously ill, rarely, are you prepared for his/her death. How could you be? You may not realize this, but you are braver than you know.
No one would willingly choose grief. We would like to help if this uninvited guest joins you. Celebratory times arrive bursting to the brim with memories. It's normal to be blind-sided by painful thoughts of: "before-your-loss" and "after-your-loss." You have been coping with so much. When moments feel too overwhelming to bear, please reach out to wise people, wise quotes, and wise words.
Reading can be sustaining too:
Bibliotherapy (books as therapy); accessible always, books open insights as to how others cope. Explore Dr. Hoi F. Cheu's article on Bibliotherapy in the Addendum of Life Came to a Standstill.
Free booklets, a poem, and dragonfly key chains:
In the headings choose the the option for Grief and the Courts, and A Guide For Living After Loss, then you also can read Dawn's original poem, perhaps contact Barbara regarding her amazing key-chains, and/or continue for book tips.
Alone:
If friends and family cannot grasp the weight of your grief, share how you feel; ask for what you need. Teach those in your support circle how to help you best. Wide swings of emotion can be normal for you, including fear and possibly anger. Expressing your true feelings offers a healthy release and validation for you.
Essential rules: "Do not hurt yourself. Do not hurt anyone else."
"Give sorrow words; the grief that does not speak
Whispers the oe'r fraught heart and bids it break.
--William Shakespeare
Bereavement support:
Various communities, in many countries, offer free support for grieving families. Bereaved Families of Ontario, and Compassionate Friends are examples of just two.
Wherever you live, please research the avenue most accessible and best suited to you. Your well-being is the primary focus of these volunteer based organizations. Sharing your unique story with those you trust will lighten your burden and bolster your confidence.
Every healing effort helps you:
The stained glass sunrise is crafted from broken pieces. With persistent grief-work & compassionate support (yes) your shattered pieces will realign into the one-of-a-kind whole that is uniquely "you."
You made it through Mother's Day; and have navigated safely to "here." Be gentle with you; this is a complicated time for all who grieve.
As other poignant anniversaries (including Father's Day) loom, sharing your story with those you trust may "lighten" your burden a little bit. Sharing encourages an expanded healing circle for you. Each positive move you make buoys you.
Please scroll as we include insights we've found helpful, following the traumatic deaths of our seven children and one sister. We mark "hope" as the most sustaining; rarely losing its relevance, or its power.
Grief is the hardest work:
Keep expectations of yourself realistic. Despair and exhaustion are normal reactions to your loss. While your grief is not an attitude problem to be corrected with false joviality, still, it can be healthy for you to smile and laugh whenever you can.
Laughter is never disrespectful to your loved one's death. Your roller-coaster-ride of grief will present many different faces.
Grant yourself permission to grab little breaks: an embracing walk in nature, a cup of tea in a comfy chair, a quiet update in your journal, a distracting program. Perhaps an empathetic chat with a friend. While your tears may continue to flow, your mind and heart benefit from these small diversions from your pain.
Speak to "you" kindly. With no timelines for your journey, you will find a way to live with your sad and unexpected loss. We say "unexpected," because even if your loved-one has been seriously ill, rarely, are you prepared for his/her death. How could you be? You may not realize this, but you are braver than you know.
No one would willingly choose grief. We would like to help if this uninvited guest joins you. Celebratory times arrive bursting to the brim with memories. It's normal to be blind-sided by painful thoughts of: "before-your-loss" and "after-your-loss." You have been coping with so much. When moments feel too overwhelming to bear, please reach out to wise people, wise quotes, and wise words.
Reading can be sustaining too:
Bibliotherapy (books as therapy); accessible always, books open insights as to how others cope. Explore Dr. Hoi F. Cheu's article on Bibliotherapy in the Addendum of Life Came to a Standstill.
Free booklets, a poem, and dragonfly key chains:
In the headings choose the the option for Grief and the Courts, and A Guide For Living After Loss, then you also can read Dawn's original poem, perhaps contact Barbara regarding her amazing key-chains, and/or continue for book tips.
Alone:
If friends and family cannot grasp the weight of your grief, share how you feel; ask for what you need. Teach those in your support circle how to help you best. Wide swings of emotion can be normal for you, including fear and possibly anger. Expressing your true feelings offers a healthy release and validation for you.
Essential rules: "Do not hurt yourself. Do not hurt anyone else."
"Give sorrow words; the grief that does not speak
Whispers the oe'r fraught heart and bids it break.
--William Shakespeare
Bereavement support:
Various communities, in many countries, offer free support for grieving families. Bereaved Families of Ontario, and Compassionate Friends are examples of just two.
Wherever you live, please research the avenue most accessible and best suited to you. Your well-being is the primary focus of these volunteer based organizations. Sharing your unique story with those you trust will lighten your burden and bolster your confidence.
Every healing effort helps you:
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Above all else do not give up.
"All the darkness in the world cannot extinguish the light of a single candle." - St. Francis of Assisi (1181-1226) |
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As difficult as this may feel;
Walk toward your pain. Soften the rigid way you hold your shoulders and your belly. Gently walk toward mercy for "you." In Stephen Levine's compassionate book: "Unattended Sorrow," he quotes the Buddha: "You can look the whole world over and never find anyone more deserving of love than yourself." |
Gwendolyn Broadmore, author
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Find our book:
"Life Came to a Standstill" is available through physical book stores, online, and in certain libraries. Have a look (with no obligation to buy) under "order your copy." |
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We wish you love,
health and safety, compassion and companionship, and always hope . . . |
Warm congratulations to our Mother's Day Giveaway winners (randomly chosen May 12th). Your free book has been mailed (May 16th). We deeply appreciate your interest in "Life Came to a Standstill."
Goodreads link available here: www.goodreads.com/author/dashboard?ref=nav_profile_authordash
Goodreads link available here: www.goodreads.com/author/dashboard?ref=nav_profile_authordash
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How does a parent live through the death of a child? This profound poignant compilation of the courageous personal journeys of seven grieving mothers, and one grieving sister offers a road map of how to cope with the anguish of traumatic unexpected loss—giving inspiration for continuing to live. 
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