From My Window
Attending the Compassionate Friends National Conference in Denver, CO was worthwhile. I met dear friends and made some new friends. My workshop about grief brain was well-received. The room was full, and people were standing in the back. When I finished, one attendee said, “Got Grief Brain?” is the best workshop at this conference. You should give it again at next year’s conference in New Orleans”. I don’t know whether I’ll make it to New Orleans but appreciated the suggestion.
Photo by Amy Hodgson.
Reviews
Every so often, one of my books gets a review that touches my soul and validates my work. This review of So, You’re Raising Your Grandkids! is one of them.
This is an excellent book written for grandparents raising their grandchildren. . . . One of the best tips was to remember to have fun, to have some excitement and adventures, so that grief and pain are not always primary in the children’s lives. . . .
The book was written with passion, empathy, and a true understanding of walking in love during a most tumultuous situation, where the only control they [Harriet and her husband] had was to accept the responsibility before them with love. One of her final quotes in the book is, “Love surmounts troubles and lasts forever.” This book gives support to all those who have accepted the responsibility by giving many tips, ideas, thoughts, links to various websites, resources for additional help, and all with a sensitive touch of hope and light humor. Kathy Searcy, Online Book Club Reviewer.
Book Business
My 46th book, Grief in Your Words: How Writing Helps You Heal, is in production now and will be released on March 12, 2024. The book is already on Amazon and available for pre-order. This would be a valuable resource for any adult or teen who is grieving.
In the last issue of the newsletter I said an article about grief doodling was going to be published in Woman’s World magazine. The article, “Doodling relieved my caregiver stress!” is on page 22 of the August 7th issue. Journalist Katie Smith says the beneficial affects of art have been proven. “Art creation has also been shown to help people develop coping skills, giving them a meditative space to make sense of loss,” she writes. Thanks to Woman’s World, Deputy Features Editor Alexandra Pollock, and author Katie Smith for this positive article. I am so grateful. Grab your copy of the latest issue today.
Quote of the Month
“Grandparents can be very special resources. Just being close to them reassures a child, without words, about change and continuity, about what went before and what will come after.”
This photo is of my granddaughter, her husband, and their two boys. I’m thrilled and proud to be a great grandmother. What a beautiful family! What a huge chair! (Photo by Haley Earley.)