Reassurance for parents who struggle with anger, guilt, and despair after a miscarriage, stillbirth, infant death.

This deeply moving, but ultimately uplifting picture book follows the psychological and emotional journey of Carla van Laar after the death of her three-year-old son, Vaughn. In the form of a visual and written journal, Carla's exploration of her own grief is saturated with honesty, and a depth of feeling that will generate new understandings of maternal bereavement. The book includes reflective notes that provide practical suggestions for using the book in classrooms, workshops and groups to create soulful conversations and activities about trauma and loss. "The journey I have documented is one of personal grief, creativity and transformation. The story of transforming loss, however, is relevant not only to bereaved mothers, but to people learning to live with other life-changing losses and trauma. I encourage you, the reader, to engage with the images, text and reflective notes in this book - guided by your own creativity, courage and compassion."

A compassionate resource for friends, parents, relatives, teachers, volunteers, and caregivers, this series offers suggestions to help the grieving cope with the loss of a loved one. Often people do not know what to say—or what not to say—to someone they know who is mourning; this series teaches that the most important thing a person can do is listen, have compassion, be there for support, and do something helpful. This volume addresses what to expect from grieving young people, and how to provide safe outlets for children to express emotion. Included in each book are tested, sensitive ideas for “carpe diem” actions that people can take right this minute—while still remaining supportive and honoring the mourner’s loss.

Advice from One Grieving Mom to Others When Kim’s three-year-old son tragically passed away, she found plenty of resources on grieving. She says what she really needed, though, "was someone who would give me advice for living, not just grieving . . . How do I get through the grocery store without crying? What do I do with my son’s things? When will my mind stop replaying the emergency room scene?" Now, ten years later, she’s written that book. With raw vulnerability, a deep well of wisdom, and the practical knowledge of someone who’s been there, she walks grieving moms through the life-after-death process from how to plan the funeral to how to deal with friends, family, holidays, and birthdays. This is a profound and powerful resource that’s invaluable for the mom who has lost a child—and for her friends and family who want to love her well.

"The author's ability to connect with the those grieving the loss of a parent is so evident. Readers will see themselves on almost every page and find the comfort they need in Gary's compassionate empathy and counsel." - Paul Casale, Licensed Professional Counselor/Marriage and Family Therapist The loss of a parent is painful. The loss of a mother or father can be traumatic. Oblivious to our suffering, the world around us speeds on as if nothing happened. Stunned, shocked, sad, confused, and angry, we blink in disbelief. Our hearts are broken. We've known them all our lives. How could they be gone? We look for comfort. Our broken, grieving hearts need it to survive. Multiple award-winning author, hospice chaplain, and grief counselor Gary Roe is a trusted voice who has been helping wounded, grieving hearts find hope and healing for more than three decades. Written with heartfelt compassion, this warm, easy-to-read, and practical book reads like a caring conversation with a friend and will become a comforting companion as you navigate the turbulent waters of grief. Gary's desire is to meet you in your grief and walk with you there. Composed of brief chapters, Comfort for the Grieving Adult Child's Heart is designed to be read one chapter per day, giving you bite-sized bits of comfort, encouragement, and healing over a period of time. You do not have to read it this way, of course. We all grieve differently. Read in the way that is most natural for you. In Comfort for the Grieving Adult Child's Heart, you will discover how to... Process complicated grief emotions (sadness, anger, guilt, confusion, guilt, anxiety, depression, feeling overwhelmed, etc). Navigate all the relational changes - feeling alone, misunderstood, isolated, and even rejected by those around you. Handle the increased stress and uncertainty that this heavy loss can bring. Deal with physical and mental health issues, illnesses, and new symptoms that often arise. Take care of yourself through diet, hydration, fitness, and rest. Deal with a myriad of practical issues (financial challenges, parenting, family activities), Handle the intense sense of being orphaned that comes with this loss. You will also find hope in how to... Think through the challenging spiritual and faith questions that frequently surface. Relate well to the people around you - those who are helpful and those who aren't. Overcome the tendency to run from emotional pain with unhealthy habits or compulsive behaviors. Deal well with triggers and the grief bursts that will come. Find the support you need for survival, recovery, and healing (safe people, fellow grievers, counseling, etc.). Develop a simple, realistic plan for birthdays, anniversaries, and holidays. Use your grief for good - for yourself, your family, and others. Allow this loss to give you greater perspective and motivate you to live more effectively than ever before. Make your life count, one day, one moment at a time. Please don't grieve alone. Let Comfort for the Adult Child's Heart join you on this arduous, tasking journey. Be kind to yourself. Take your heart seriously. Death has invaded, but it doesn't have to win. Read on. Comfort awaits you in these pages of this book.

Practical supportive advice for bereaved parents and the professionals who work with them, based on the experiences of psychiatric and religious counselors. FROM THE INTRODUCTION: “Certainly, in the early days after our son died, no one could have patted us on the our heads and convinced us everything would be all right. Nor will this book do that for you. It will, with the help of parents who have successfully coped and professional people who work with bereavement, offer guidelines and practical step-by-step suggestions to aid you.”

A compassionate resource for friends, parents, relatives, teachers, volunteers, and caregivers, this series offers suggestions to help the grieving cope with the loss of a loved one. Often people do not know what to say—or what not to say—to someone they know who is mourning; this series teaches that the most important thing a person can do is listen, have compassion, be there for support, and do something helpful. This volume addresses what to expect from grieving young people, and how to provide safe outlets for teens to express emotion. Included in each book are tested, sensitive ideas for “carpe diem” actions that people can take right this minute—while still remaining supportive and honoring the mourner’s loss.