ABCs of Healthy Grieving: A Companion for Everyday Coping

By Harold Ivan Smith

Book Overview

For more than twenty-five years, ABCs of Healthy Grieving by best-selling author, counselor, and grief educator Harold Ivan Smith has been a trusted companion for tens of thousands of people searching for light in the darkness of loss.

This simple and comforting guide offers short, easy-to-read reflections--each just one or two pages long--filled with real-life stories, thoughtful quotes, and practical wisdom on living with grief. Every reflection ends with an encouraging "I can . . . " statement, a small but powerful reminder that healing is possible and that, in time, we who grieve will be okay.

Smith's timeless insights

Allow for individual differences in grieving within families.

Befriend the silence.

Create a cherishable memory.

Discourage hasty decisions.

Explore new end-of-day and bedtime rituals.

Forgive.

Go late, leave early.

Jettison the "five stages" of grief.

Name the name.

Overlook the easy answers.

Ritualize.

Trust your loved one to God's keeping.

Write thank-you notes on your schedule.

This updated edition of the beloved classic acknowledges how grief continues to evolve in a changing world--shaped by technology, shifting family dynamics, pop culture, and new funeral practices. It includes a new introduction and closing thoughts by the author, updated cultural references and quotes, and a refreshed bibliography.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 1594711275
• ISBN13: 9781594711275
• Release Date: May 2007
• Publisher: Ave Maria Press
• Length: 176 Pages
• Weight: 0.51 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.5" x 5.6" x 6.9"

Customer Reviews

Excellent resource without giving "TMI"

I purchased this after my husband passed away. I realy liked the format-from the quotes to the affirmative statements at the end of each chapter. When you are grieving it is hard to process a lot of new info. So this was perfect-just enough without being overwhelming. I would highly recommend this as a "must have" for anyone who has experienced a loss of a loved one.

Pearls of Wisdom

Author Howard Ivan Smith, Ph.D., a member of the board of the Association for Death Education and Counseling, leads storytelling groups for grievers and offers grief courses for nurses, counselors, and funeral directors. His latest book, ABCs of Healthy Grieving, is formatted in short, stand-alone reflections, delivered alphabetically starting with "allow for individual differences in grieving within families" and ending with "zoom in, zoom out." In all, 72 chapters are presented, each accompanied by a quotation, one-to-two-page commentary, and restatement of the title as an affirmation. Within the alphabetical scheme, major issues are viewed from various angles. For example, rituals are addressed under explore new end-of-day and bedtime rituals; journal your grief; and make some new traditions. Relationships during grieving are the subject of be sensitive to "ex" family members; decide specific things friends can do for you; and go late, leave early. That one is titled after a quotation from Joan Rivers discussing ways she managed to fulfill social obligations after her husband's death. The reflection ends with her assurance that "Unless you are the paid entertainment, no one expects you to be the life of the party."