Picking Up the Pieces: What Everyone Needs to Know When a Child Dies

Picking Up the Pieces: What Everyone Needs to Know When a Child Dies

Losing someone you love is devastating—and our death-denying society has failed to equip us for dealing with the pain of loss. Everything is suddenly different and as unspeakable emotions of sadness, shame, and anger overwhelm you, you wonder if you’ll be stuck in this state forever. But grief is not stagnant and these feelings are part of the process that will eventually lead you to a new awareness of life. Drawing on both her personal and professional experiences with grief and loss, Adrienne L. Burnell, RN, MS, PhD, recounts her own two-year journey following the death of her eighteen-year-old son, as well as several stories from others to illustrate how everyone works through their pain differently and in their own time. Faced with the pain of loss, you can give up; become apathetic; blame God; turn bitter…or you can press on and make something better of whatever days are left to you. The choice is yours. Picking Up the Pieces is an invaluable resource for people dealing with loss, as well as friends, family, or professionals who are trying to support them.