Welcome and please explore . . .
We are deeply sorry for your loss:
During each and every day, may you find hope and health, strength and compassion, safety and love. |
Hope:
"Hope" is the thing with feathers- That perches in the soul- And sings the tune without words- And never stops-at all- Emily Dickinson (1830-1886) Following are insights from my fellow writers and from me; insights we uncovered during our journeys. Above all else, hope often gave us the courage to inch forward into the next day. Grief is the hardest work; therefore, as you try to cope with your loss, please keep your expectations realistic. If you can be gentle to you, your compassion will spill onto others while it circles back home. Be proud of being gentle with "you." Your grief is a healthy human response to the loss of your loved one. Feelings of despair, including a wide range of scary emotions, are normal reactions to your sorrow. Your grief is not an attitude problem to be corrected with false joviality. Be you without pretense. It is healthy to smile and even to laugh; this is not disrespectful to your loved one's death, still and all, allow your sorrow and tears their rightful spaces too. While you reach outward, please trust that you will safely navigate your grief journey one step at a time. Ease with exploring our website: Click on "Author & Contributing Writers" to view our photos, bios, and a piece of the Introduction; as well as, the beginning of each chapter. To read opinions of others open "Reviews." Try "more," for 2 free support-booklets ready to print, scroll further for book tips. Braver than you know; Take heart that no matter how challenging these past months and years have been you have navigated through to today. Congratulate yourself for this. Trust that with no restrictive timelines for your journey you will find a way to live with your painful unexpected loss. We say unexpected, because even if your loved-one has been seriously ill you are rarely prepared for his/her death; truly, how could you be? While you would not willingly choose grief, we would like to help you if grief chooses you. In your heartache it's understandable for you to feel as if life in the outside world should screech to a full stop right along with yours. When traditional celebratory times arrive bursting to the brim with memories, you may be blind-sided by painful thoughts. Yet, is it possible that even our darkest days can hold tiny shimmers of light if we let the light slip in? "All the darkness in the world cannot extinguish the light of a single candle." - St. Francis of Assisi (1181-1226) Along with your sorrow you have been coping with a world pandemic while enduring tragic world news. It is not your fault, and absolutely you are doing your best. We have found that grief is a journey rather than a destination. When certain moments feel too sorrowful for you to bear, seek solace by reaching out to wise people, wise words, and empathetic quotes. Every healing effort helps you. Bereaved moms give back with courage: Dawn Hembling created "Comfort" in honour and memory of her beloved son, Neil Warren Hembling. Dawn confides, my daughter planted a seed as we faced our first spring without Neil. These words came as I looked out at branches against a blue sky. Valerie commented that our grief was matched by the joy of the recipient families. Her brother was a multiple organ donor. Barbara, bereaved mom of Nathan, crafts her whimsical keychains from parachute silk as a tribute to her son; including a timeless legend (The Story of The Dragonfly) in each donation package: "Once in a little pond, in the muddy water, under the lily pads there lived a little water beetle . . ." Re: Barbara's uplifting tributes, reach out to her at: dragonflys4nathan@gmail.com Feeling alone: If some friends and family cannot grasp the weight of your sorrow, share how you feel and ask for what you need. You may need to teach those in your circle how to help you best. It is normal for you to experience a wide range of emotions including fear and possibly anger. The expression of these emotions can lend you a badly needed release, as long as you do not hurt yourself or anyone else. Always remember you deserve the same compassion freely offered to a special friend. Books as therapy: bibliotherapy can introduce reaffirming validation, with selective reading offering a safe hiatus from grief's bleakest days. Accessible anytime of day or night, books may present helpful insights to how others cope. Please explore Dr. Hoi F. Cheu's article on Bibliotherapy in the Addendum of Life Came to a Standstill, as well as his caring quote on our cover. Life Came to a Standstill: While we do not address the recent realities of 2022, we hold out a helping hand for your grief. Our book is dedicated to every heart impacted by loss. We "get it" that your grief continues to impact you, while world events contrive to overshadow your sorrow. Your loved-one remains an important part of your life. Honouring him/her by relaying personal stories (an integral part of you both) helps you. Above all else do not give up. Travelling one-day-at-a-time, while reaching for compassionate help to bolster you in times of your greatest need, you can do "this." Bereavement support: Various communities, in many countries, offer free support for grieving families; "Compassionate Friends" being one of the ones available in the several US states and beyond. 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. In Ontario Canada: Bereaved Families of Ontario (BFO) is available in several jurisdictions. For instance, in York Region ON (for the past 30 years) Bereaved Families of Ontario-York Region has provided a safe, helpful, and healing place for those who are bereaved. Please click here to access the BFOYR website. Our new giveaway began August 14th and continues until August 31st. The very best of luck: we value your interest in "Life Came to a Standstill." Goodreads' profile is available here 
Find our book: "Life Came to a Standstill" is available through various venues including certain libraries. See where you can purchase, with no obligation to buy, under "order your copy." Open "Contact" to send us a note anytime at all. |
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