After Ron died, I was in a fog for a while. As I was emerging from that hollow space, I considered what to do. I searched for guidance on the Internet, and I found lots of groups for those dealing with loss, especially widows. I joined several and discovered tragic stories of loss that broke my heart. I reached out to these people, offering words of comfort. I realized that the comments I shared were overshadowed by the large quantity of comments from others also offering their opinions. Reading all these posts left me awash in sadness, and that is not where I wanted to be.
I turned to reading books on dealing with grief. I read many, and most of them focused on loss and sadness, many with their personal efforts to recover, and that didn’t resonate with me. I see grief as something that lasts a lifetime, while the acuity of that grief diminishes as we gradually move forward keeping the loved ones we have lost in a special place in our hearts. By viewing the social media I did and reading the books I did, I discovered that whatever I did needed to be positive. I saw that I would focus on supporting each other in a positive way while emphasizing love.
I also spent much time in meditation and in writing in my journal. I wrote about the lessons I was learning and what my new priorities were. I also wrote about what I thought Jacques and Ron would love to see me do at this time. I saw that my writing was my comfort, and the more I wrote, the better I was able to deal with what I was experiencing. This led me to invite people dealing with loss to my home to write together exploring our individual experiences. This group became close and asked to meet twice a month instead of one, and we did that until the pandemic. Then I started a private Facebook group to explore writing through grief, and I have started a Zoom writing meeting weekly to come together to write about our grief.
In the process of doing all this, my book evolved. I had a list of many things I saw as issues that I was writing about that I knew I could help others with. I included with each chapter something specific the readers can do to help them deal with their experiences. I contracted with Mango Publishing to get my book out to those who can use it. I am thrilled that it launches on January 19 and that we are celebrating the launch with a big celebration on Zoom on January 23. I see Loving and Living Your Way Through Grief as a loving support of those dealing with loss, and the perfect gifts for those you know who are dealing with loss and grief.
In the meantime, the pandemic arrived. So many of us are now dealing not only with the loss of loved ones, but with the loss of jobs, income, homes, and just living our lives in the manner we would love to. The lessons and suggestions for activities can help anyone who is dealing with loss. By supporting each other with love, we all can make a difference in us all moving forward together live our best lives.
I look forward to helping you.
If you would like to attend the book launch for Loving and Living Your Way Through Grief, please email me at emily@lovingandlivingyourwaythroughgrief.com and I will send you a Zoom link.
You can preorder the book by clicking here at Amazon.
I would be happy to put you on the reminder list for or Writing Together Through Grief occurring on Saturdays each week by sending an email to me to emily@lovingandlivingyourwaythroughgrief.com and giving me your email address.
