AFTER DEATH COMES THE GRIEF

Living with someone facing the end of his/her life is such a painful journey. After death the grief work continues in a different way. There are many services and helps out there. But sometimes a good book giving solace is warranted. In my End of Life talk for Nursing Mentorship, I suggest C.S. Lewis- A Grief Observed. It was his grief journey after the death of his wife. I often give a copy to family or friends going through a grief process. It is one small way a person can be comforted.

THE BEST BOOK ON GRIEF

I wrote in a previous post about C.S. Lewis who wrote A Grief Observed. It is one of the best books on grieving that I have read and used in my practice. Recently I bought a bunch to give to significant people in my life who unfortunately are in the midst of grief. His beautiful little book begins- " No one ever told me that grief felt so much like fear. I am not afraid, but the sensation is like being afraid." His book is his personal experience of grieving and missing his wife. It is usually quoted in all the modern texts on grief and loss. Reading a book will not resolve all your issues of grief. However, in the middle of the night when you really do not want to talk about how you feel, reading and processing another's thoughts who had the painful journey can bring solace! Knowing we are lonely but not alone in our bereavement journey as others before us have travelled the road let's us know it is okay to feel the pain in the depths of our souls! Lewis was known for The Narnia Chronicles but he was also a theologian with a deep faith. Grief makes us question many parts of our life and our place in the cosmos. He questioned and questioned. Does it let us also question? You bet. There are usually no definitive answers but the questioning and seeking answers can become the journey. Have you read this beautiful little book? It is available I am sure at your local library. I hope the people in my life will find it useful.

THE CHALLENGE OF WRITING A BLOG

This is blog 501. It has been an adventure to find ideas and themes to keep writing. The advice of other bloggers is to write every day. It is such good advice as it creates a discipline of blogging. Wednesday is easy- now it is my Nana says theme. Sunday too- with a Postcard From! The other 5 days bring many challenges and sometimes a photo I took weeks ago with a blog idea in mind which can finally be used. Since I can follow how many pageviews occur on each blog and who in the world is reading me, I am constantly amazed at the the blogs with the most "reads". People in the world are interested in the down to earth Canadian themes I have written. Yes, not regularly but I have had readers from every continent. There are regular readers not only from Canada and the United States but Germany and Russia. So to those readers thank you for visiting. Writing advice from years ago states to write about what you know. Trying to be an expert on everything, well it does not work. Some of my clinical blogs have responses on my private email. Some people have complained they can not comment so email me your comments or find me on facebook and comment there. I will add your comments to the blogs. As most of you know, I love Narrative Therapy which using your story to help to reflect and honour your strengths. Thus I want to hear and know and think about your reactions and real thoughts to any blog. Do they conjure up ideas and thinking?
As a clinical Social Worker, I always want to reach others who may be struggling with a problem and need some guidance to find the right person or resouces to help. Even the right book! Like my favourite- A Grief Observed by C.S. Lewis on his journey with his grief after his beloved wife died.
I love blogging as it helps me to consolidate many areas and interests in my life. I hope you have enjoyed reading and sharing with me. Are there any favourite blogs you have enjoyed? Tell me. Are there themes you would like me to consider for you and your group? What do you want to know about Canada and this Canadian? Are there parenting or family issues you are seeking guidance? Crafts, gardening, photography can be used to work with problem areas in your life-they work for me! So please keep on reading and helping me to challenge myself to write!

A GRIEF OBSERVED

Is the title of a book by C. S. Lewis. It is a classic book on the journey of grief. Lewis as we know was the author of many books such as the Narnia Chronicles-The Lion, The Witch and the Wardrobe. His marriage and love of his life- his wife Joy died and created a huge gap in his whole being. His book on his journey after her death has been quoted in every modern grief books. He really said it all. His book opens with the following quotation," No one ever told me that grief felt so like fear. I am not afraid, but the sensation is like being afraid. The same fluttering in the stomach, the same restlessness, the yawning. I keep on swallowing. At other times it feels like being mildly drunk, or concussed. There is a sort of invisible blanket between the world and me. I find it hard to take it in." Of course he is describing the somatic reactions of grief from his core. His book has been used often by me and I think I have given away several copies of it to various people in my career. I recommend it as it is an easy read and says it all about grief. When someone you love dies, there is lots of advice and many books written on the subject and grief work needing to be done- I have several on my shelves. What to do, how to think, what not to do etc. But Lewis just talks about his painful journey of losing his beloved wife that stands the test of time. Grief is such a painful process for us all. Have you read Lewis' book in a time of need? If you are grieving, I recommend it? Have you used another resource that has helped with your personal journey?