Loss, Survive, Thrive by Meryl Hershey Beck
Author:Meryl Hershey Beck
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Rowman & Littlefield Publishers
Published: 2019-07-19T16:00:00+00:00
HPH’s philosophy spoke to both my son’s and my values, and the HPH meeting offered clarity and hope. We shared stories and validations. I started to understand how all of us create our own grief journeys, and left feeling very hopeful and at peace. It quickly became evident how personal our grief journeys are given our different histories and personal circumstances. I slept well that night and was excited to share the HPH meeting with my family. I knew then my husband’s and daughter’s grief journeys had to be their own; so, my (own) grief journey began.
Still searching for answers, my ever-growing reading list included works by many spiritual teachers and leaders. Surprisingly, I found many of the suggested reads to also be in my son’s private collection of books.
HPH offered many resources. For instance, Sheri Perl Migdol’s (The Prayer Registry) words helped alleviate my strong feelings of guilt, which are often associated with the loss of a loved one to suicide. Mark Pitstick’s newsletter on Soulproof.com offered answers as to why our loved ones “die” and removed some of the stigma associated with my son’s decision to leave. (Not condoning suicide, but the stigma often associated with suicide adds to the tremendous burden of grief often felt by those of us left behind.)
My continued reading allowed me to grieve privately while offering hope. Written by many different authors, the books expanded my awareness much in the same manner as my son’s conversations. I realized how much I was going to miss my son’s physical presence.
In addition to attending HPH in Phoenix, I sought resources closer to home. Near the one-year anniversary of Anthony’s passing, I contacted Audra White of MISS Foundation in Tucson. (MISS Foundation is a volunteer-based, nonprofit organization that provides C.A.R.E.—counseling, advocacy, research, and education—services to families experiencing the death of a child.) In her meetings Audra illustrated how sharing our stories with other grieving parents helps create a sense of power, promoting healing.
My journey did not stop there. I quickly discovered with all of the responsibilities of tying up the loose ends associated with the tragic loss of a loved one, many of my friend and work-related relationships were dissolving. In time, my initial sadness was replaced with an increased awareness of the kindness of strangers. Someone held a door open for me at the local post office. Another offered a smile. I started meeting people in the most unusual and random places—on walks, in the market, at the bookstore. I found myself drawn to others who also shared loss and, in the process, began to recognize a purity of spirit, an authenticity that often occurs with soul growth.
However, my grief journey, which I now describe as a roller-coaster ride, took a plunge into deeper sadness. I kept replaying the tape, “What could I have done differently? How could I have prevented this tragedy?”
I knew I had to sell my son’s car. Unable to bear the thought of not seeing Anthony’s smiling face saying a big
Download
This site does not store any files on its server. We only index and link to content provided by other sites. Please contact the content providers to delete copyright contents if any and email us, we'll remove relevant links or contents immediately.
Grief & Bereavement | Hospice Care |
Pet Loss | Suicide |
They Both Die at the End by Adam Silvera(8600)
Thirteen Reasons Why by Jay Asher(7778)
The Space Between by Michelle L. Teichman(6078)
Suicide Notes by Michael Thomas Ford(4265)
Tuesdays with Morrie by Mitch Albom(3825)
Suicide: A Study in Sociology by Emile Durkheim(2604)
The Checklist Manifesto by Atul Gawande(2199)
Tuesdays With Morrie by Mitch Albom(2166)
Robin by Dave Itzkoff(2002)
In the Woods by Tana French(1984)
Bossypants by Tina Fey(1982)
No Ashes in the Fire by Darnell L Moore(1976)
Reservoir 13 by Jon McGregor(1846)
End of Days by Sylvia Browne(1819)
Olive Kitteridge by Elizabeth Strout(1786)
Bus on Jaffa Road by Mike Kelly(1780)
All Things New by John Eldredge(1779)
Scar Tissue by Anthony Kiedis(1767)
No Time to Say Goodbye(1754)