Coping with Pet Loss, December 9 - December 15, 2012

Best selection from Grief Healing's Twitter stream this week:

Information and support for pet loss, http://j.mp/SO9Q47

Voices of Experience: In My World, Superman

Source

My father didn't tell me how to live; he lived, and let me watch him do it. ~ Clarence B. Kelland

The following comes to us from Lisa Rosendahl, in tribute to her father, Marvin Becker, who died on October 26, 2012, the day after celebrating his 63rd wedding anniversary with his wife and family. Lisa writes that following his massive stroke in 2011, "we almost lost Dad several times, but his strength and stubbornness kept him going until his final time, proving that he really is Superman." Marvin is survived by his dear wife Bonnie, eight children, 16 grandchildren, two great-grandchildren, "and so many more family and friends."

Caregiving and Hospice, December 2 - December 8, 2012

Best selections from Grief Healing's Twitter stream this week:

Dying with peace and dignity: Engage with Grace movement http://j.mp/VpVdCx from @_lizzy_ via @BostonDotCom

Karen M. Wyatt, MD: What Doctors Need to Learn About Death and Dying, http://j.mp/WMev69

We All Need a Mental Vacation Destination, Caregivers. What’s Yours? http://j.mp/RbjxfX

Are you on Pinterest? You're cordially invited to visit, http://pinterest.com/griefhealing/ « Grief Healing

Can palliative care bridge the gap between cure-based care and hospice? Tell us what you think about Don's quote, http://fb.me/1q6iPMWim

A different way to get ready for the holidays: The Advent Conspiracy, http://j.mp/R0S2FI « Grief Healing Blog

Understanding and Managing Grief, December 2 - December 8, 2012

Best selections from Grief Healing's Twitter stream this week:

Dealing with Death During the Holidays: an Interview with Brad Leary, http://j.mp/11X7eFV

Prenatal Loss: The Due Date, http://j.mp/VpWHNa « The Grief Toolbox 

"It's time to move on." Oh,yeah? Says who?  The Luxury of Grief, http://j.mp/UtGisf by @Victoria_Noe « FriendGrief

Amen! Time to bury the 'five stages of grief' myth, http://j.mp/YXW4Rk via @JenMarsh2

Nice ideas: help yourself through the holidays by helping others, http://j.mp/Uho5Ma

Coping with Pet Loss, December 2 - December 8, 2012

Best selections from Grief Healing's Twitter stream this week:

Are you on Pinterest? You're cordially invited to visit, http://pinterest.com/griefhealing/ « Grief Healing

Grieving is an important part of healing when a loved pet dies, http://j.mp/SH0CYs

Diana Nyad: Euthanasia: A Moment of Grace and Heartache, http://j.mp/SJNHDC

For those who believe in animal reincarnation, http://j.mp/VEwss6 « Grief Healing

Worldwide Candle Lighting Service, 2012

 Candles will glow on Sunday, December 9 when tens of thousands of bereaved parents, siblings, grandparents, relatives, and friends around the globe will join together to light remembrance candles to honor the memories of children who have died, but will never be forgotten.

Held annually the second Sunday in December, this will be the 16th Worldwide Candle Lighting sponsored by The Compassionate Friends (TCF), the nation’s largest self-help bereavement organization for families that have suffered the tragic loss of a child. TCF has more than 650 chapters in the United States, with sister organizations in at least 30 countries around the globe.

The Advent Conspiracy

For many Western Christians this past Sunday marked the beginning of the season of Advent ~ the four weeks before Christmas, originally intended to be a time of spiritual reflection and preparation before celebrating the nativity of Jesus. 

In recent years, those same four weeks have become a peak shopping period for retailers known as "the Christmas shopping season." For those of us engaged in caregiving, or in the midst of mourning the loss of a loved one, these four weeks can seem like little more than an additional and overwhelming burden. 

Given the state of the world and our struggling economy here at home, many more people may be looking for a different way to get ready for Christmas.

Caregiving and Hospice, November 25 - December 1, 2012

Best selections from Grief Healing's Twitter stream this week:

All you need to know about Living Wills, Making Decisions about Medical Care, http://j.mp/TzMMFb « Hospice of the Valley

The Caregiver Crisis, a TEDMED Great Challenges video, is available for viewing here: http://j.mp/Snkuyq

Common Misconceptions Associated with Hospice and Palliative Care, http://j.mp/QVWrts via @BestBudsRetreat

End of Life Conversation in Midst of Life Part 2: Sit Down, Take Action, http://huff.to/10h6sCO via @ALSAssistiveTec

No One Dies Alone program plays a valuable role in end of life care, http://bit.ly/TuQUJI via @hospicepharmacy

Understanding and Managing Grief, November 25 - December 1, 2012

Best selections from Grief Healing's Twitter stream this week:

Beautiful piece by Deirdre Felton on the death of her brother "Brendan," http://j.mp/Uhti8N « Grief Digest

Health Risks of Loneliness (and What to Do), http://j.mp/TjW6Mx « Caring.com

“Man’s Best Counselor” by Kelly Farley, http://j.mp/Togflo « Grieving Dads Project

A Conversation with Marty Tousley, Grief Counselor, http://j.mp/V2fcqB « ElderBranch

Coping with Pet Loss, November 25 - December 1, 2012

Best selection from Grief Healing's Twitter stream this week:

The death of a pet is often dismissed, as in "It's Just a Dog. Get Over It,"  http://j.mp/QVTJnT via @rhgerard