Traveling Through Grief: Learning to Live Again After the Death of a Loved One - Paperback

by Susan J. R. N. Zonnebelt-Smeenge Ed D. (Author), Robert C. De Vries (Author)

When a loved one dies it can seem like life will never be normal again. The world can become a blur of flowers, relatives, cards, and well-meaning visitors; and the griever may feel that he or she cannot come up for air. But there is normalcy after death, say authors Zonnebelt-Smeenge and De Vries; it just takes some time--and help--to get there.

Traveling through Grief takes readers on the journey toward life after death, focusing on five common tasks of grief: accepting the reality of death, embracing all the emotions associated with death, storing memories, separating oneself from the deceased, and reinvesting fully in one's own life. This book is the perfect gift for a grieving friend or tool for a loved one in need.

Front Jacket

Copy on Paper Edition:

You can live life to the fullest even after a loved one dies.

Traveling through Grief is a compassionate resource to help you find your road to recovery and discover a fulfilling life after the death of a loved one or friend. The authors, both of whom lost spouses before marrying each other, are grief counselors who show you five specific tasks to work through to aid in healing. From exploring your feelings to sifting through memories, reshaping a sense of self-identity to reengaging in your own life, these crucial tasks help you handle grief with purpose and intention. Thoughts on how loss affects both your spiritual and mental well-being are covered separately so you can choose which is most helpful--or read the sections together for the fullest exploration of healing.

Your experience of grief will change your journey forever. Let Traveling through Grief help you develop a life that can become rich and rewarding again.

"It is refreshing to find a resource that has both a strong spiritual component as well as an abundance of practical and useful suggestions for the grief journey."--H. Norman Wright, grief and trauma counselor

"You will find grief-changing wisdom on every page: wisdom that can help you and can help friends and family members traveling through grief."--Harold Ivan Smith, grief educator, author of Grieving the Death of a Friend

Back Jacket

It is refreshing to find a resource that has both a strong spiritual component as well as an abundance of practical and useful suggestions for the grief journey. This is a welcomed resource.--H. Norman Wright, grief and trauma counselor

"In a culture that prefers grievers 'get over it' and 'move on' as quickly as possible, two authors, well acquainted with grief, challenge such thinking. You will find grief-changing wisdom on every page: wisdom that can help you and can help friends and family members traveling through grief."--Harold Ivan Smith, grief educator, author of Grieving the Death of a Friend

"The dynamic duo has given us yet another fine book by grabbing hold of the fracturing impact of grief. This book will inform, equip, comfort, shield, nudge, and hug you."--Richard B. Gilbert, executive director, the World Pastoral Care Center

Author Biography

Susan Zonnebelt-Smeenge is a licensed clinical psychologist working for Pine Rest Christian Mental Health Services.

Robert C. De Vries is emeritus professor of church education at Calvin Theological Seminary and an ordained pastor.

They are the authors of Getting to the Other Side of Grief, The Empty Chair, and Living Fully in the Shadow of Death. They live in Grand Rapids, Michigan.