Surviving Holidays, Birthdays, and Anniversaries: A Guide for Grieving During Special Occasions

By Brook Noel

Good cheer, laughter and happiness are emotions often associated with holidays and special occasions. Yet those experiencing grief feel a vastly different set of emotions. In this caring and compassionate guide, Brook Noel explores the different challenges brought on by holidays, birthdays, anniversaries and other special occasions. She'll share with you want to expect along with strategies for coping during those difficult days. You'll also find some ideas for creating new rituals and incorporating your lost loved one into future celebrations.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 1891400037
• ISBN13: 9781891400032
• Release Date: November 2003
• Publisher: Champion Press (WI)
• Length: 62 Pages
• Weight: 0.25 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.2" x 5.5" x 8.5"

Customer Reviews

book gets right down to the point

This book comes right down to the very point you needed to read. Good job

A guide for anyone struggling with memories of a loved one

Surviving Holidays, Birthdays & Anniversaries: A Guide For Grieving During Special Occasions is a simple bereavement guide, written by expert and creator of the www.griefsteps.com program Brook Noel, that especially focuses on coping with the particular challenges brought by special occassions. Holidays are normally a time of good cheer and laughter, but those experiencing profound grief or the loss of a loved one are beset by the opposite of these emotions, often at a magnified effect. Chapters offer advice on what to expect in plain and simple terms, such as learning to avoid additional stressors during the holiday season, never try to outspend grief, shop online, don't hide from life, beware of self-medicating, and more. Suggested strategies for coping include taking a moment of silence when needed, freewriting, taking a time out, specific exercises to calm oneself, and more. A strongly recommended guide for anyone struggling with memories of a loved one at difficult times.

Comfort for a grieving reader

Holidays, Christmas, birthdays, family gatherings--they will never be the same again. Having lost my 27 year old son, my "family occasions" have been changed forever. Brook Noel brings sensitivity and positive ideas to this agonizing fact. I'm glad I have this book to comfort and to guide me and my family.