Supportive Books for Those Who Grieve

Extracted from photo by M. Katherine Shear, M.D.

See original photo with words and blog article at aspire.com.

 Whether they die in war, from illness, by suicide, or as a result end-of-life issues, their loss affects relatives, friends, acquaintances, neighbors, and colleagues in  devastating ways. The following books are gentle but helpful treatments of the issues of bereavement and grief.

Damascus amid the War by Muna Imady

Written by popular author, Muna Imady, whose book, Syrian Folktales, has delighted an uncountable number of readers outside of Syria, Damascus amid the War tells the very human story of the devolution of a society. The book containts 29 pre-war poins, vibrant with imagery of daily life in a robust Damascus. The 100 war poems that follow show the devastating affect on the people who navigate a daily existence after war came. This is a posthumous publication, containing Muna’s very last works and an introduction by her mother, Elaine Imady, author of Road to Damascus and an analysis by Dr. Geri Henderson, professor of English literature and author of several books.

Depression Anonymous by Dr. Dennis Ortman

When you feel depressed, suffering from a deep sadness, do you feel powerless over your mood? Does your life feel unmanageable because of it? Does your preoccupation with past hurts and regrets interfere with your life? Do you feel hopeless about finding a cure for your depression? If you answer “yes” to these questions, you may be addicted to your mood. It acts like a drug that sedates, numbs, and possesses you, causing you to sleepwalk through life.

God Speaks into Darkness by Bennett Easterling

Part of a series on the coronavirus pandemic written by MSI Press authors to share expertise, help, and hope, these brief devotionals speak to the enormous challenges facing our world today. So many of you are grieving loss of loved ones, or risking your life daily to help others, or facing loss of your livelihood, financial ruin or uncertainty. The Psalms and teachings of Jesus offer treasures of hope for today and promises us a brighter tomorrow. You will find in these meditations that God wants to comfort his own and then use us to help and bless one another

 

Harnessing the Power of Grief by Julie Potter

Julie Potter is no stranger to grief, having, in her career, coordinated a hospital-based wellness program including a spousal bereavement program. In this book, she traces back decades the research on understanding and coping with grief, which she describes as a natural human repsonse to loss. Pulling from the work of Worden, the author prescribes four tasks for those in grief to use in managing their grief. She also walks the reader through special situations like tragic loss without warning. A book for those who are grieving and those who are walking with grievers.

Lamentations of the Heart - Mingled with Peace and Joy by Marti Wells-Smith

Lamentations of the Heart soulfully combines contemporary free verse poetry and nonfictional prose to tell the story of one mother’s grief following the death of her only child. The author interweaves scriptural passages with the inevitable struggles to accept and make sense of her new reality. All of it reveals the unending love for family that remains.

Life after Losing a Child by Pat Young and Joanna Romer

Life after Losing a Child tells the poignant stories of a dozen individuals who have suffered the loss of a child, and describes how they learned to heal. This book will show readers who have suffered the loss of a loved one

• how to come to grips with the loss and handle the grief;
• how to engage in activities to help the healing process; and
• how to find the strength to move on.

The Widower's Guide to a New Life by Joanna Romer

A Book of the Year Finalist in 2014, The Widower’s Guide to a New Life shares the experiences of ten bereaved men as they cope with the trauma of losing a spouse. The book will help new widowers meet such challenges as: how to find consolation through friends, work and prayer; how to start over in terms of new activities, dating and a social life; and how to know when and if a new love relationship is right for you. Guidelines are provided from each widower’s personal experiences, making this book a compendium of useful suggestions for getting through this difficult period with knowledge and grace.

Widow: A Survival Guide for the First Year by Joanna Romer

This book takes new widows on a journey from the first difficult days ofwidowhood through 12 months of self-discovery. Along the way, you will learn how to handle emotional challenges such as suddenly being alone; how to tackle painful tasks including cleaning out hubby’s closet; and how to re-enter the world again in terms of work, personal development and socializing. Guidelines are provided for each new phase, making this book a practical self-help book you can use for re-creating your life. Available in print, e-book, and audio book.

Widow: How to Survive (and Thrive!) in Your 2d, 3d, and 4th Years by Joanna Romer

Widow: How to Survive (and Thrive!) in Your 2^nd, 3^rd & 4^th Years takes widows beyond the difficult days of  the first year into new opportunities for growth and discovery. 

Guidelines are provides for each new phase, making this book a practical tool you can use as you embrace your widowhood  with confidence!