Over the years I have heard so many people ask, “When does this ever end?” Maybe you’re asking yourself that very question.
More often than not trying to answer this very important question leads to arguments over semantics with no clear answer emerging. I’ve had way too many of those conversations struggling to find the words to describe the resolution of grief.
It’s not about “getting over it.” It’s not just about moving on. It’s certainly not about forgetting. In the end most of the words fail miserably with none capturing the reality of continuing to live after loss and grief.
Over the years only one description has satisfied me…a single chapter in an out of print book which beautifully describes what grief looks like when it’s complete. I even quoted a small bit of it in How to Survive Your Grief.
I have read this chapter to every group of hospice volunteers I’ve ever trained. I have read portions of it to grieving clients. I have read it so many times that my falling apart copy is held together by a rubber band.
I have recommended this chapter countless times. Unfortunately the recommendation has gone something like this…
“If you can find a copy of this out of print book, read the chapter on grief. It’s worth reading if you can find it, especially the part about when mourning is complete.”
Doesn’t sound like much of an endorsement does it? I wouldn’t go searching for an out of print book either especially for a single chapter.
So here’s the good news…The Work of Mourning is now available in the Amazon Kindle Store for 99¢.
I highly recommend it if you’ve ever asked yourself the question, “Will I ever get over this?”
Let me know what you think of it…here or write an Amazon review.
