Books for the Holidays 2014
Author: Betsy Beard
The winter holidays, with their emphasis on miracles and gifts, are difficult for those who grieve. While the hearts of others are lifted in merriment, our hearts seem to grow heavier with thoughts of our loved one and the gaping hole they left in our lives. Here are some books that can help fill the void and bring extra support at this time of year.
Thoughts for the Holidays, By Doug Manning
As a counselor and minister, Doug Manning gives the reader permission to find his or her individual way to cope, remember, and survive the emotional hurdles of the season in Thoughts for the Holidays: Finding Permission to Grieve. Regardless of your faith background or lack thereof, getting through the holiday season from Thanksgiving to New Year's Day can be difficult. The winter holidays include days that are important to all faiths as well as holidays that are specifically American. Manning addresses an often overlooked aspect of grief: exploring how your faith may have altered. The 24-page booklet is a quick read with down-to-earth comfort that is heartfelt and real-no saccharine-coated homilies here.
Healing your Holiday Grief, By Alan Wolfelt
Healing Your Holiday Grief: 100 Practical Ideas for Blending Mourning and Celebration During the Holiday Season was written as a guide to help us blend (not ignore) mourning with celebration in a way that will work for us and our families. The text is arranged with bullet points for easy reading, followed by suggestions designed to help you "do something with your grief, right here and now." By giving us suggestions of activities that are easy to complete, the guide gives us a concrete manner of expressing our grief in a way that is helpful and meaningful.
When the Holidays Hurt, By Nan Zastrow
Following a death, the holidays can be a devastating time for mourners. As a bereaved parent, Nan Zastrow writes from experience, covering a variety of topics designed to help you manage the holidays in When the Holidays Hurt: Practical Ideas and Inspiration for Healing Grief. In this collection of articles and essays, Zastrow gives suggestions for coping, finding joy, taming the holiday blues, and working things out in the context of family. She explores the myths of grieving during the holidays and explains how to blend old holiday traditions with new.
How Will I Get Through the Holidays?, By James E. Miller
How Will I Get Through the Holidays? 12 Ideas for Those Whose Loved One Has Died by James Miller is a small book with short chapters, perfect for people who are finding it hard to concentrate while grieving. As the holidays press down on those who are bereaved, they can find various ideas in this book that will help them plan, channel grief, and navigate the predictable rough waters of the holiday season. Sprinkled throughout the book are helpful quotes by well-known authors and poets, each one giving food for thought. Additional resources can be found listed in the back of the book.
Holiday Hope,Compiled by the editors of Fairview Press
Holiday Hope: Remembering Loved Ones During Special Times of the Year is based on a program developed by Fairview Health Services for those who have suffered the death of a loved one. Spanning many of the holidays throughout the year, entries include short essays, poems, advice, personal stories, and artwork. More than a dozen therapists, counselors, clergy, and death educators contributed to this volume to share coping tips and techniques that address Thanksgiving, Hanukah, Christmas, New Year's Day, Mother's Day, Father's Day, Memorial Day, birthdays, and anniversaries.
By Betsy Beard, Surviving mom of U.S. Army SPC Bradley S. Beard: Betsy Beard served as the editor of TAPS Magazine for seven years in addition to volunteering as a peer mentor, care group facilitator, and national workshop presenter. In that time she authored a number of TAPS publications and Quick Series Guides, as well as the award-winning children's book, Klinger: A Story of Honor and Hope and many articles for TAPS Magazine. Betsy has been published in Living with Loss publications and various newspapers. She currently is a freelance book editor and serves as the awards director of Military Writers Society of America. She lives in North Carolina with her husband, Randy.