Thank you for this post. It couldn’t have been more timely for me. November 20th is the anniversary of my dad’s sudden death when I was 12. I wrote a long reflection on it which I posted last year, and a smaller piece I call, “Loving An Apparition” will post on my newsletter The Other Side of Young,” on the 20th.
I’ve worked in the field of death, dying and bereavement for 40 years. I founded and for 10 years ran a nonprofit for grieving children following The Dougy Center model.
More than anything I’ve done, writing has revealed the degree to which my dead father is everywhere and in everything I do.
I appreciate the way you’re using your losses to enlighten and help other hurting hearts.
Excellent post. This part got me thinking: "In the face of loss, our culture is grief illiterate. The concept of helping children through grief can be even more daunting. How do we support the youngest grievers when in many cases we are uncomfortable around death ourselves?"
Ginni, thanks so much for this comment. It does help to know I’m not shouting into the void. I love the work that you do/did—if I’d had more resources or my early adult life had followed a different course I suspect that would’ve been the field for me as well. I’m so looking forward to reading your piece.
Thank you for this post. It couldn’t have been more timely for me. November 20th is the anniversary of my dad’s sudden death when I was 12. I wrote a long reflection on it which I posted last year, and a smaller piece I call, “Loving An Apparition” will post on my newsletter The Other Side of Young,” on the 20th.
I’ve worked in the field of death, dying and bereavement for 40 years. I founded and for 10 years ran a nonprofit for grieving children following The Dougy Center model.
More than anything I’ve done, writing has revealed the degree to which my dead father is everywhere and in everything I do.
I appreciate the way you’re using your losses to enlighten and help other hurting hearts.
The title of your piece, "Loving an Apparition" caught my attention. I'll be looking for it.
Excellent post. This part got me thinking: "In the face of loss, our culture is grief illiterate. The concept of helping children through grief can be even more daunting. How do we support the youngest grievers when in many cases we are uncomfortable around death ourselves?"
Thanks for reading, Jocelyn. We all need to do better when it comes to acknowledging the grief kids carry. They often hide it well…until later.
Ginni, thanks so much for this comment. It does help to know I’m not shouting into the void. I love the work that you do/did—if I’d had more resources or my early adult life had followed a different course I suspect that would’ve been the field for me as well. I’m so looking forward to reading your piece.
Casey, if you aren't already, you will soon be the new voice of wisdom on grief. Thank you for sharing your experience and insights.