We are deeply sorry for your loss . . .
Seasonal celebrations,
and seasonal changes, can provoke anxiety
while you're attempting to breathe,
and valiantly cope
with loss as your
painful daily companion.
Please remember to be kind to "you."
Congratulate yourself for each and every accomplishment, no matter how small it may seem.
Trust that with compassionate caring support,
and ongoing grief-work,
you will find a way to cope:
one heartbeat at a time;
one moment at a time, and one day at a time.
Honouring, missing, mourning and, yes, weeping . . . .
Your love & your grief are intertwined.
"Truly, it is allowed to weep. By weeping, we disperse our wrath;
and tears go through the heart, even like a stream." - OVID
and seasonal changes, can provoke anxiety
while you're attempting to breathe,
and valiantly cope
with loss as your
painful daily companion.
Please remember to be kind to "you."
Congratulate yourself for each and every accomplishment, no matter how small it may seem.
Trust that with compassionate caring support,
and ongoing grief-work,
you will find a way to cope:
one heartbeat at a time;
one moment at a time, and one day at a time.
Honouring, missing, mourning and, yes, weeping . . . .
Your love & your grief are 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 the 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 whole 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 caring support your shattered pieces will realign 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." As difficult anniversaries unfold; have faith that sharing your unique story will lighten your burden, while encouraging an expansion of your essential coping circle.
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 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. As confusing as we know this can be; it's also normal...
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, 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.
Continue to speak to yourself with gentle understanding. One-step-at-a-time, with zero timelines for your ongoing journey, please believe that you will find a way to live with your life-changing 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 far 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 whole 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 caring support your shattered pieces will realign 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." As difficult anniversaries unfold; have faith that sharing your unique story will lighten your burden, while encouraging an expansion of your essential coping circle.
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 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. As confusing as we know this can be; it's also normal...
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, 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.
Continue to speak to yourself with gentle understanding. One-step-at-a-time, with zero timelines for your ongoing journey, please believe that you will find a way to live with your life-changing 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 far 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:
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While despair hovers; please trust that you do have a choice.
Choose hope. |
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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 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
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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 . . . |
Warmest congratulations to our recent October 2023 winners. We so appreciate your interest in "Life Came to a Standstill." Thank you.
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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"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. 
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