Tag Archives: grief counselor

Grief Opens Path to Reconnection, Resilience in New Online Retreat Nov. 5-6

WEAVERVILLE, N.C. /ScoopCloud/ -- Grief, like the seasons, is part of the normal cycle of life, yet each person experiences it differently. Join grief guides Melody LeBaron and Dean Spillane-Walker for "Heart Broken Open: Grief as a Sacred Path to Reconnection and Resilience," a new online retreat for the bereaved, on Saturday and Sunday, Nov. 5-6, 2022. The event is presented by: Transforming Space, Self, and Loss; and by Living Resilience.

The event is designed to transform the experience of grief for those experiencing any significant loss. These include those experiencing:

* the loss of a relationship, family member, pet, home or job

* struggles with trauma, a diagnosis, or an illness

* grief for the devastation of the planet and its peoples

* difficulty coping with stuckness, sadness, or loneliness

Learn more: https://livingresilience.net/griefretreat/

Caregivers such as family members, therapists, coaches, health and wellness practitioners may also benefit from the ritual practices of grief within a community setting.

"Our ancestors accepted grief as a normal part of life," says LeBaron. "They knew that grief buried alive kills the mind, the body, the soul."

LeBaron is the author of "Transforming Death: Creating Sacred Space for the Dying" (ISBN: 978-1733477123) a guide for the dying and their caregivers, based on her experience as a midwife for the deaths of 12 of her closest loved ones including her 17-year old son, mother, and sister.

"So, when one person grieved, the tribe gathered and formed 'a community of mourners,'" she says. "In other words, when a loss happened to one member of the tribe, it was processed and grieved-by the entire tribe."

Walker says that within a community, grief can be transformed. "Grief is feral," he says. "It does not come on demand. But grief can be evoked-through stories, writing, movement, and ritual."

Walker is author of "The Impossible Conversation: Choosing Reconnection and Resilience at the End of Business as Usual" (ISBN: 978-0692900017). He helps create consciousness within communities in ways that encourage the maturation of deep inner resources, as its members bravely face an unimaginable future.

"Grief can be welcomed, integrated, and transformed within the sacred space formed by an intentional community," Walker says.

But, they say, some losses can't be managed alone. People may need a community of grievers in order to complete the grief cycle.

"When grief is fully processed and integrated, it transforms into a life-force, a fuel that revitalizes and propels us into reconnection and resilience, as individuals, families, and communities," says Walker.

But when grief is ignored, tamped down, buried alive, vitality may be buried with it.

"We live in a time when we are experiencing devastating personal-and planetary-loss. It is no longer advisable to grieve privately, to force ourselves to 'get over it,'" says LeBaron.

Now is the time for a conscious, courageous community grieving. The retreat will include:

* Powerful writing practice to assist in opening our stories of loss

* Deepening our trust in our emotional and body wisdom

* Sharing our stories of loss in a confidential container, to the extent you want that

* An avenue to express our grief over world events

* Learning practices and healing tools to use after the retreat

* Music and Movement that allow us to embody and then release emotions

To learn more about "Heart Broken Open: Grief as a Sacred Path to Reconnection and Resilience," or to sign up to attend on Saturday, Nov. 5, from 11 a.m. - 5 p.m., and on Sunday, Nov. 6, from noon to 5 p.m., visit: https://livingresilience.net/griefretreat/.

Grief, like the seasons, is part of the normal cycle of life, yet each person experiences it differently. Join grief guides Melody LeBaron and Dean Spillane-Walker for "Heart Broken Open: Grief as a Sacred Path to Reconnection and Resilience," a new online retreat for the bereaved, on Saturday and Sunday, Nov. 5-6, 2022. The event is presented by: Transforming Space, Self, and Loss; and by Living Resilience.

Related link: https://livingresilience.net/

New Book Helps People to Deal with Loss During the Pandemic

YOUNGSTOWN, Ohio /ScoopCloud/ -- When Gina Marie Mordecki's daughter was raped and murdered, she prayed that her death would not be in vain. Her new book, "God's Amazing Intimacy in Grief" (ISBN: 979-8578563751), is the answer to that prayer. Mordecki's book is written to help heal the hearts of others who have experienced the tragic loss of a loved one.

"Right now, we're living through a terrible pandemic and people are dying," Mordecki said. "People are dying alone and their loved ones are left behind to cope with a reality of inconsolable sadness. I want this book to offer some comfort and perhaps, even provide some answers."

After Mordecki's daughter was murdered, people didn't know what to say.

"It's one thing to say, 'I'm sorry for your loss,' but it's quite another to live in a house with an empty place setting at the dinner table," she says. "And, for people suffering loss during the pandemic, the suffering is only compounded through quarantining and "stay-at-home" orders."

"God's Amazing Intimacy in Grief" is a short read, less than an hour, that serves to minister to people while they grieve. It asks and answers important questions such as "Why now?" and helps people to understand and resolve their anger with God. It shares stories of others who have lost children and details how they found their way out of the darkness.

Mordecki's personal account of her tragic loss shares personal experiences of how God tried to prepare her for the loss and then helped her to deal with the inevitable outcome. The book also references specific scripture and offers interpretation.

"God's Amazing Intimacy in Grief" is available on Amazon for 0.99 as an eBook and $5.99 in paperback format.

For more information: https://www.whispersfromgod1.com/

About the Author

Gina Marie Mordecki is a nurse and grief counselor. After her daughter was murdered, she attended grief share classes and then, for seven years, led a grief support group for women who had lost a child of their own. She also led bible study classes and is an avid student of the bible herself. She was president of her nursing class and has been a guest speaker for nurse graduating classes. She loves to sing and has been nicknamed "the singing nurse." She has a dog Mia, who is her faithful friend and emotional support pet. She believes that pets help to fill the loneliness and lessen the anxiety after the loss of a loved one.

*Photo link for media: https://www.Send2Press.com/300dpi/21-0126s2p-surviving-loss-300dpi.jpg

*Photo Caption: "God's Amazing Intimacy in Grief" by Gina Marie Mordecki

When Gina Marie Mordecki's daughter was raped and murdered, she prayed that her death would not be in vain. Her new book, "God's Amazing Intimacy in Grief" (ISBN: 979-8578563751), is the answer to that prayer. Mordecki's book is written to help heal the hearts of others who have experienced the tragic loss of a loved one.

Related link: https://www.whispersfromgod1.com/

New Children’s Book Opens Door for Dialogue About Grief and Death

ATLANTA, Ga. /ScoopCloud/ -- When Bryson Thompson, Sr.'s mother passed away from stomach cancer in 2016, he grappled with how to tell his 3-year old son that he would never see his beloved grandmother again. It was this life-changing event that sparked him to write, "How Angels are Made" (ISBN: 978-1735023809).

Thompson wrote the first version only two days after returning from his mother's funeral when it became apparent that his son needed more answers than he was readily able to give. His son was confused and grieving and needed help to work through this trying time which turned the world he knew upside down.

Bryson focused his energy to create a book that would help him and his family to clearly communicate with their son about grief and death. He quickly realized that if this book could help his family to heal, it could help others too. He also saw a need for a book that focused on an African-American family.

"There are very few books on the subject where African Americans are at the center," he says.

Based on a true story about the bond between Bryson's son and mother, "How Angels are Made" is a transformational children's book that fosters needed conversations between youth and adults about grief and death. It highlights actual conversations that took place between he, his wife and their son.

In the beginning, the book highlights their personal relationship and then moves into the family's experience of dealing with loss.

Bryson exceeded his Kickstarter campaign goal with one week left, which ironically happened the day before his mother's birthday, and plans to end the campaign, which is now in its "stretch goal" and appropriately scheduled to end on Mother's Day. The additional funds will allow Bryson to provide even more free copies of the book to local schools, libraries and children who have lost a loved one or friend, than originally anticipated.

"With one in five youth currently having to deal with the death of someone close to them by the time they are 19, 'How Angels are Made' will resonate with many families around the world," Bryson says. "It's also ideal for schools, therapists, church groups and more. My hope is that this book will be a tool to help change lives."

About the Author

Bryson Thompson has more than 10 years' experience as a special education teacher and mental health professional. He's a husband, father, educator, mentor and entrepreneur. He has dedicated his life to finding ways to uplift young men and women. With a degree in Special Education from Clemson University and a Masters in Behavior/Learning Disabilities from Georgia State University, he continually works to find ways to enhance the life and experience of the future generation.

The book will be available to the public in June and pre-orders can be made here: https://howangelsaremade.com/

Support the Kickstarter campaign through Sunday, May 10, 2020: How Angels Are Made Kickstarter Campaign: https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/brysonthompsonsr/how-angels-are-made-grief-through-the-eyes-of-a-child-0?ref=user_menu

Watch a YouTube video: https://youtu.be/yVuACsvUOv0

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/brysonthompsonsr/

Image links for media:
[1] https://www.Send2Press.com/300dpi/20-0505s2p-how-angels-are-made-300dpi.jpg
Photo Caption: "How Angels are Made"
[2] https://www.Send2Press.com/300dpi/20-0505s2p-bryson-thompson-sr-300dpi.jpg
Photo Caption: Bryson Thompson, author, "How Angels are Made."

MEDIA CONTACT:
Bryson Thompson
+1-864-243-1202
info@howangelsaremade.com

When Bryson Thompson, Sr.'s mother passed away from stomach cancer in 2016, he grappled with how to tell his 3-year old son that he would never see his beloved grandmother again. It was this life-changing event that sparked him to write, "How Angels are Made" (ISBN: 978-1735023809).

Related link: https://howangelsaremade.com/