Living With Loss: Meditations for Grieving Widows
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The first year following the death of a spouse is a time a time of great need. It's a time of grieving, remembering, and persevering. Widows and widowers are challenged with an onslaught of emotions, and there an ongoing need for comfort and support.
Living With Loss is an indispensable bereavement resource. Filled with guidance and encouragement, hope and perspective, it pairs empowering affirmations with quotes from such varied sources as Mother Teresam Dr. Joyce Brothers, the Dalai Lama, Robert Frost, the Torah, Elizabeth Kubler-Ross, and many more.
Review from Tragedy Assistance Provider Services (TAPS) Magazine:
Reader Reviews:
My sister-in-law found the book on Amazon and shared the information with me. I look forward to having it once again on my bedside table. Please know that I appreciate your wisdom and writing!
Susan Stevens
This book was incalculably helpful to me as I walked numbly through the first year after my husband's death. I received many books from well-intentioned friends, but couldn't find much enthusiasm for reading much at a sitting. This book is in a "daily meditation" format, presenting one idea per day, on one page. This was not too much for my grief-stunned attention span, and dealt with real issues in direct language. I appreciated it so much. I heartily recommend this book for all widows who want to remember, and to gently help themselves heal.
Anne Brenner
I am so glad that your book is back in print. I had given it to a friend about 15 years ago. Then I looked for it in 2003, and couldn't find it. You are a compassionate writer. Thank you for sharing your words with those who need it so badly.
Brenda Schaffer
Just want you to know how this book was my saving grace after my husband died in 1998. I liked it because I could not read a whole book. The daily readings and asking to write worked well with my grieving. I have given this book to 5 friends who also found comfort.
Anne Ashby
I love your Widows/grief book. When my dear husband died 10 years ago, yours was the only book I liked... I loved it. I now am a Certified Thanatologist (death, dying and bereavement professional) and give your book as a gift to any new client who has lost their husbands.
Peg Krome, CT
Absolutely a wonderful book that has been of immense help in dealing with the loss of my husband. I'm glad it will be published again.
Marilyn Daniels
Thirteen years ago, after the death of my husband, I happened to find this little book, "Living With Loss". I had no idea how this little book was going to be so valuable to me in my first year (and beyond) living without my husband, and best friend. It is now my little treasure. It still sits on my book case with the sticky note tabs on my favorite pages. Thank you Elle for this book... It's the little miracle book that every grieving widow needs to have!!
Carole Hunter, your greatest fan!
I'm a psychologist and one of my most devastated widows found your work to be the only real source of comfort to her during the early years without her husband. Whenever I give a copy to anyone who needs it, the feedback is wonderful and I tell them to keep the book as long as they need it and then pass it on. That's why I ordered another copy...I always want to have at least one on my bookshelf. What a gift. I want this book in publication forever. It eases an unchosen journey for anyone who opens it.
Joanna Ross
This book has been of immense help to me after the sudden death of my husband of 42 years. I went to sleep with it each night reading more than one page each day. Now I am rereading it and savoring one page at a time and writing about the journal suggestions. I really feel it is a must have for any widow.
Marilyn Davis (Amazon)
This book doesn't provide a meditation for calendar dates. Instead, it has thoughts and affirmations appropriate for each day that has passed since your husband's death. (For example, Month 3 Day 7.) This makes the reflections more relevant to each day. Also, every week or so, instead of the usual meditation, the author suggests an action to be taken. Not all of the action items have been appropriate for me, but others have really hit the mark and helped me get through a rough spot.Losing my husband to brain cancer has been the hardest and most painful experience of my life. This small book has helped me navigate the 3 months since his death. I hope it will bring you solace as well.
Meg (Amazon)
I'm so happy to find out that this book, Living with Loss... Grieving Widows, is back in print. It is a wonderful tool that I was blessed to be given after the death of my husband in 1996 at the age of 40. The comfort and the practical wisdom it offered on every page, helped me immeasurably.
Thank you, Diane Stevens
Living With Loss was given to me after I lost my husband to cancer. I passed it on to another and have since purchased many more to give to others. I read an entry each day and found connections beyond belief. Along with prayers,family, friends, and a wonderful support group, this book was a great savior.
S. Watson (Amazon)
I just wanted to let you know how much Living with Loss has helped my mom— even this early in the grieving process. She has found each meditation, from day 1 to the funeral and on, to be an absolutely perfect expression of her feelings that day. She has told me how much it has helped her. Anything that can make her feel better the day he died after nursing him 24 hours a day for weeks, is a well done book.
Natasha Fleischman
Thank you for writing this wonderful book. About 11 years ago, I lost my husband suddenly. A good friend of mine gave me your book and I can honestly tell you that it helped me through some of my darkest times. Thank you so much
Linda Maldonado
A comforting companion as widows live through the first 365 days following the loss of their spouse. This book reflected the same feelings that I was experiencing. The words supported my thoughts and helped me travel through the valley of loneliness and grief. A gift that should be given to any woman faced with the overwhelming burden of loss.
Linda Dansberger
This sensitive, beautifully written book is a meaningful start to my day with it's brief daily readings. Ms Stern captures the essence of so many issues that we as new widows ponder, brings a clarity to them that often leaves me in tears for having my feelings caught so deeply. I find the book most comforting and showing me a way forward.
Jan Scott
With the loss of my husband at age 44, I was devastated. This book was a gift and I read it everyday. I have never read anything that described my exact feelings as this book did. I vowed to give it to every new widow afterwards that I knew personally. This book need to be on the shelves for all widows..I love this book!
D.Cook
God Bless for your wonderful book. I heard about it from a friend who lost her husband and a friend gave her your book, she felt it was a tribute to her best friend and reads and reads it. I look forward to receiving it.
Pat Nyberg
I was given "Living with Loss" last March after my husband passed away. I read a passage every night at bedtime (though I have to admit I looked ahead to the next verse too) and found it all very comforting. Whenever I had a day that I thought I was going insane, the text and verse for that day was exactly what I had been dealing with. I will re-read your book whenever insanity strikes again. As you ahead to the next verse too) and found it all very comforting. Whenever I had a day that I thought I was going insane, the text and verse for that day was exactly what I had been dealing with. I will re-read your book whenever insanity strikes again. As you know, those days never completely cease. Thank you again for the hard work you put into this book. It has been my saving grace this past year. I am keeping it for any other friend who may need it next.
Lynn Bergstrom
I have passed Living with Loss to my friend who recently lost her husband and I she has commented on how easy it is to read. She mentioned that she can't believe how you can be so accurate, with regards to where her emotions are and how she is feeling each time she reads the book. Congratulations, you obviously have an incredible gift to share with the world.
Leiza Clark