The work of the mature person is to carry grief in one hand and gratitude in the other and be stretched large by them. As seen on All There Is with Anderson Cooper Noted psychotherapist Francis Weller provides an essential guide for navigating the deep waters of sorrow and loss in this lyrical yet practical handbook for mastering the art of grieving. Describing how Western patterns of amnesia and anesthesia affect our capacity to cope with personal and collective sorrows, Weller reveals the new vitality we may encounter when we welcome, rather than fear, the pain of loss. Through moving personal stories, poetry, and insightful reflections he leads us into the central energy of sorrow, and to the profound healing and heightened communion with each other and our planet that reside alongside it. The Wild Edge of Sorrow explains that grief has always been communal and illustrates how we need the healing touch of others, an atmosphere of compassion, and the comfort of ritual in order to fully metabolize our grief. Weller describes how we often hide our pain from the world, wrapping it in a secret mantle of shame. This causes sorrow to linger unexpressed in our bodies, weighing us down and pulling us into the territory of depression and death. We have come to fear grief and feel too alone to face an encounter with the powerful energies of sorrow. Those who work with people in grief, who have experienced the loss of a loved one, who mourn the ongoing destruction of our planet, or who suffer the accumulated traumas of a lifetime will appreciate the discussion of obstacles to successful grief work such as privatized pain, lack of communal rituals, a pervasive feeling of fear, and a culturally restrictive range of emotion. Weller highlights the intimate bond between grief and gratitude, sorrow and intimacy. In addition to showing us that the greatest gifts are often hidden in the things we avoid, he offers powerful tools and rituals and a list of resources to help us transform grief into a force that allows us to live and love more fully.

Finding the Good in Grief is both a practical and inspirational guide that teaches readers to learn, change, and grow through their grief. In five stages, Baggett demonstrates how to: Trust God and rely on others Choose reality instead of illusion Resist the temptation to get stuck Recognize moments of grace Discover new meaning and purpose

In 2008, Angie Smith and her husband Todd (lead singer of the group Selah) learned through ultrasound that their fourth daughter had conditions making her “incompatible with life.” Advised to terminate the pregnancy, the Smiths chose instead to carry this child and allow room for a miracle. That miracle came the day they met Audrey Caroline and got the chance to love her for the precious two-and-a-half hours she lived on earth. Upon receiving the original diagnosis, Angie started a blog (Bring the Rain) to keep family and friends informed of their journey. Soon, the site exploded in popularity, connecting with thousands who were either experiencing their own heartbreaking situations or simply curious about how God could carry someone through something so tragic. I Will Carry You tells the powerful story of a parent losing her child, interwoven with the biblical story of Lazarus to help those who mourn to still have hope—to find grace and peace in the sacred dance of grief and joy. Endorsement "This is a beautiful and tender book that would touch any woman's heart, no matter her age or realm of experience. It is about a relationship so intimate with God that it carves a safe place for crises of faith, for faith proved genuine and for divine callings willed, sealed and fulfilled. Yes, this is one mother's moving story. This one mother also happens to be a true writer. We will hear more from her. Angie, I am so proud of you. May Christ continue to tip the ink jar toward your gifted quill." - Beth Moore Best-selling author and speaker

When Elizabeth Straka’s husband, David, was diagnosed with cancer, she had no idea how they would manage the complex and continuous needs that accompanied his diagnosis. Soon, they realized they were unable to confidently make good decisions, especially without a clear direction ahead. Fortunately, they eventually discovered that finding gratitude and being present allowed them to find light and hope even in their darkest days. In a tender presentation created from journal entries and reflections, Straka details the emotional experiences of terminal illness, caregiving, loss, and grief while providing compassionate, helpful insights about how to navigate life’s most difficult moments. She begins by detailing their journey prior to cancer as well as the confusing and emotional path that followed David’s diagnosis and continues with her reflections as she begins moving through the different stages of grief after his death. Her shared lessons about the power of presence and gratitude invite others into a safe place where they, too, can come to terms with their own grief and loss. Joy at the Edges of Grief is an authentic guide to finding the power of presence and gratitude in the midst of a life-challenging illness and monumental loss.

Aimee DuFresne's memoir of love, loss and living effortlessly weaves the past and present. Reflecting on the enchanting love story and life she built with her husband, these memories fuel the brave steps forward as she moves through the devastation of sudden loss and struggles with starting again. Among the mistakes and missteps, her determination to keep going infuses fun, joy and greater freedom on her journey forward, from grief to growth.

For those who have endured the heart-wrenching loss of a loved one, "Rock On: Mining for Joy in the Deep River of Sibling Grief" is a powerful and deeply personal memoir that shines a beacon of hope through the darkest of times, showing you that even in the depths of grief, there is a path to healing and renewed joy. Rock On: Mining for Joy in the Deep River of Sibling Grief is about love, loss, grief, and the journey toward hope and reclaiming joy. Rock On focuses solely on sibling loss because it’s a tragedy author Susan Casey experienced in her own life. On Valentine’s Day, 2014, she learned of the horrific and unexpected death of her forty-three-year-old brother Rocky (birth name: Brian) who died while in Hong Kong with his wife and three-and-a-half-year-old daughter.Susan shares her journey, capturing the bond between her and her brother, the shock over his sudden death, and the emotional three-week trip to Asia. When Susan returned home, she was faced with unimaginable grief. In her effort to heal, she interviewed others all over the world that had lost a sibling. Brothers and sisters shared their stories with a vulnerable and open heart, and these stories helped to nudge Susan, step by step, out of the deep river of grief. As she listened, a deeper healing took place, anchoring Susan’s belief that loving and losing far outweigh never loving at all. The stories segue into excerpts from the people she talked to that are relevant to the theme of each chapter. Susan weaves in her memories throughout each story and ends each chapter with her thoughts on the chapter’s theme to provide additional insights to help the reader on their grief journey. Susan’s story and the stories of other people who lost a sibling explore the resiliency of the human spirit after a tragic loss and how their sibling’s death impacted their lives. "Susan Casey takes readers on a harrowing journey from the black river of grief to reclaiming a life with joy and a transformed heart. A must read for anyone who has lost a brother or sister and has embarked on their own healing odyssey." Barbara Walsh, Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist and author of August Gale: A Father and Daughter's Journey into the Storm and Sammy in the Sky.

In Joy's Edge, Robin King shares personal reflections along with hands-on exercises to support readers in finding and walking an authentic path of personal and spiritual growth. Her writings emphasize the practical value of wisdom from Western medicine, martial arts, yoga, and Eastern philosophy. She provides a framework for developing mindfulness, wisdom, and compassion that emphasizes working with your edges--the places on the margins of your comfort zone. Her framework supports a personal spiritual practice of any faith or non-faith, and guides readers towards deepening peace, authenticity, and joy. Readers of this book will learn how to: - Discover greater ease in daily life by developing mindfulness, acceptance, and compassion. - Employ wisdom as a guide to identify their authentic path of personal power and transformation. - Realize the beauty, peace, and joy that arise when they are living from their truth.