I just finished reading this book. I was up all night. I agree with the other reviewers that generally, this book is not a cover to cover read. In 1985, I was 23 and lost my fiance. As I struggled through the grief, I found little comfort or understanding from my friends and family. I turned to literature. I found few good books, the Courage to Grieve was the best and a great source of comfort. But, Oh how I wish this book was there then! A dear friend died a few weeks ago and I have been looking for ways to help and support her husband. I came across this title from other Amazon reviewers. Im not very good with words-- and this book captured a swirl of complex thoughts and feelings and put them into words. It encourages, it asks you to be gentle with yourself, it tells you the true meaning of courage--TO FEEL-- and it keeps reminding you--hold onto your hope no matter the depth of your pain or the severity of your isolation. You will make it through the grief. This author has given us-- the broken (and mended) hearted a very special gift.
I bought this book 2.5 years ago when my father died very suddenly. I cant count the number of times it has helped me thru every emotion I could possibly feel. I literally go thru it every night before bed and when times get tough. Even going thru a friends daughters death at the moment, I find the book such a help to identify and help me thru a particular feeling or down moment. I like that its not a typical self-help-grief book in that it doesnt harp on the stages of grief - but it quotes actual feelings, and offers explanations, and then a meditation. Such a great combo. Ive bought it several times over the last 2 years for friends and family who have lost someone dear to them. They all agree, that this little book is a lifesaver.
I found this book about four months after I lost a loved one to suicide and it was a lifesaver. It made me realize that what I was going through was normal and there were other people going through the same thing. I found the book very helpful and it gave me inspiration to go on. I would highly recommend this book to anyone that has lost someone no matter what the cause of death was.
