ABC's of Healthy Grieving: Light for a Dark Journey

I purchased this after my husband passed away. I realy liked the format-from the quotes to the affirmative statements at the end of each chapter. When you are grieving it is hard to process a lot of new info. So this was perfect-just enough without being overwhelming. I would highly recommend this as a "must have" for anyone who has experienced a loss of a loved one.

Author Howard Ivan Smith, Ph.D., a member of the board of the Association for Death Education and Counseling, leads storytelling groups for grievers and offers grief courses for nurses, counselors, and funeral directors. His latest book, ABCs of Healthy Grieving, is formatted in short, stand-alone reflections, delivered alphabetically starting with "allow for individual differences in grieving within families" and ending with "zoom in, zoom out." In all, 72 chapters are presented, each accompanied by a quotation, one-to-two-page commentary, and restatement of the title as an affirmation. Within the alphabetical scheme, major issues are viewed from various angles. For example, rituals are addressed under explore new end-of-day and bedtime rituals; journal your grief; and make some new traditions. Relationships during grieving are the subject of be sensitive to "ex" family members; decide specific things friends can do for you; and go late, leave early. That one is titled after a quotation from Joan Rivers discussing ways she managed to fulfill social obligations after her husband's death. The reflection ends with her assurance that "Unless you are the paid entertainment, no one expects you to be the life of the party."