We are deeply sorry for your loss . . .
Autumn can be poignant for you:
changes are difficult while you're trying to live,
attempting to breathe, and valiantly cope with the heavy weight of your loss as your
daily companion.
Trust with the help of compassion, kindness, and your ongoing grief-work,
you will emerge;
one heartbeat at a time;
one moment at a time
above this wildest storm;
into calmer seas. Honouring,
missing, mourning and, yes, weeping . . . .
Your love & your grief are ever intertwined.
"Truly, it is allowed to weep. By weeping, we disperse our wrath;
and tears go through the heart, even like a stream." - OVID
changes are difficult while you're trying to live,
attempting to breathe, and valiantly cope with the heavy weight of your loss as your
daily companion.
Trust with the help of compassion, kindness, and your ongoing grief-work,
you will emerge;
one heartbeat at a time;
one moment at a time
above this wildest storm;
into calmer seas. Honouring,
missing, mourning and, yes, weeping . . . .
Your love & your grief are ever intertwined.
"Truly, it is allowed to weep. By weeping, we disperse our wrath;
and tears go through the heart, even like a stream." - OVID
Scroll with us, as we share 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.
When you are bereaved the ache in your heart, and the sinking sensation in your stomach may control your world. Unwillingly, you have joined a terrible club and can feel irrevocably broken.
This stained-glass water scene grew from many broken pieces. with persistent grief-work and compassionate support your shattered pieces will realign (too) into the irreplaceable person who is "you;" different after your loss, how could you not be? But still "you."
Welcome; you have navigated safely to "here." Continue to be gentle with the fragile you. And as difficult anniversaries unfold; trust that sharing your unique story will lighten your burden, while encouraging an expansion of your healing circle.
Yes, 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's very 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 shows many different faces.
Permission to grab little breaks:
Walk with your grief in nature; savour a cup of tea in a comfy chair, or an update in your journal. Perhaps, for some precious moments, a distracting program; or an empathetic chat with a friend. While your tears continue to flow, your mind and heart benefit from each small diversion from your pain.
Speak to yourself with kindness; then, with no timelines for your journey you will find a way to live with your sad unexpected loss. We say "unexpected," because even if your loved-one has been seriously ill, rarely are you prepared for his/her death. You may not realize this, but you are braver than you know.
No one willingly chooses grief. We would like to help if this uninvited intruder chooses you. As celebratory times arrive, bursting 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 offer a safe space:
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 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 and ask for what you need. Please teach those in your support circles how to help you best. Wide swings of emotion can be normal for you; including fear, and possibly anger. Expressing your 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 only 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:
When you are bereaved the ache in your heart, and the sinking sensation in your stomach may control your world. Unwillingly, you have joined a terrible club and can feel irrevocably broken.
This stained-glass water scene grew from many broken pieces. with persistent grief-work and compassionate support your shattered pieces will realign (too) into the irreplaceable person who is "you;" different after your loss, how could you not be? But still "you."
Welcome; you have navigated safely to "here." Continue to be gentle with the fragile you. And as difficult anniversaries unfold; trust that sharing your unique story will lighten your burden, while encouraging an expansion of your healing circle.
Yes, 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's very 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 shows many different faces.
Permission to grab little breaks:
Walk with your grief in nature; savour a cup of tea in a comfy chair, or an update in your journal. Perhaps, for some precious moments, a distracting program; or an empathetic chat with a friend. While your tears continue to flow, your mind and heart benefit from each small diversion from your pain.
Speak to yourself with kindness; then, with no timelines for your journey you will find a way to live with your sad unexpected loss. We say "unexpected," because even if your loved-one has been seriously ill, rarely are you prepared for his/her death. You may not realize this, but you are braver than you know.
No one willingly chooses grief. We would like to help if this uninvited intruder chooses you. As celebratory times arrive, bursting 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 offer a safe space:
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 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 and ask for what you need. Please teach those in your support circles how to help you best. Wide swings of emotion can be normal for you; including fear, and possibly anger. Expressing your 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 only 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:
|
While despair often hovers; please trust that you do have a choice.
Choose hope. |
|
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) |
|
As contrary as this may initially 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
|
|
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." |
|
We wish you love,
health and safety, compassion and companionship, and always hope . . . |
Warmest congratulations to our winners (over these years); we appreciate your interest in "Life Came to a Standstill." A new giveaway has begun & runs until October 5th. We wish you much good luck!
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
|
"Life Came to a Standstill,"
True Accounts of Loss, Love, and Hope 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. 
|