After experiencing the devastation of losing one of our identical twin boys, I was exposed to a world of sorrow formerly unimagined. With new eyes opened to the heartbreak of the women surrounding me, I undertook the daunting task of researching the universality of suffering, primarily by documenting the stories of fifty women concentrated in a five-mile radius. These accounts of tragedy and hope are intermingled with scriptural accounts, the words of modern-day apostles and prophets, psychological and sociological views, as well as my own experiences.
This book is a tapestry of vast human experience, covering a wide array of challenges including infertility, loss, abuse, mental and physical health issues, suicide, financial stress, divorce, addiction, and more. And yet, despite the myriad of trials and accompanying grief, these women exemplify testimonies of faith, resilience, and love. As they move through the three phases of a Grief to Growth Mindset (Victim to Survivor to Contributor), I document helpful tools for embracing, moving through, and learning to assist others because of our sorrows.
For most young children, the concepts of death, funerals, and burials are completely foreign until they are confronted with the loss of a loved one. It is important that children have meaningful conversations about these topics with a trusted adult who can guide them through their grief and mentor their healing. "Loss for Littles" aims to create a moment of stillness for families to sit down and have essential discussions about loss.
This book is a tool meant to educate and familiarize children with the various ceremonies and beliefs surrounding death. It may also be utilized to assess what the child understands about death, what questions they may have, and how to give them the necessary support to help them comprehend and manage their grief. Although children may be little, their emotions are big and deserve to be acknowledged and respected.
This book is the first in a series to address not only the logistical aspects of death, but also the religious perspective as well. The current "Loss for Littles" details the theology of those who follow a Christian belief system. Future volumes will be written to help families dealing with death from a wide variety of religious beliefs including Buddhism, Hinduism, Islam, Judaism and Chinese Traditional, as well as for those who are nonreligious. The "Loss for Littles" books are an excellent resource for initiating discussion and preparing children for their introduction to the reality of death and the ways in which we honor those we love who have passed away.