11-26-2009 – Forgotten Markers in the Grief Journey

Harriet Hodgson is the author of 27 books and hundreds of Internet and print articles. She is a bereaved parent and GRG – grandparent raising grandchildren. Her recent writing focuses on grief markers – 1-year, 18-month, and 2-year anniversaries of loss. These markers, and many others, trigger fresh grief, and harriet will give us suggestions [...]

November 23, 2009 – Thanksgiving: Finding Hope for the Holidays

Guest:  Bonnie Carroll -  Bonnie Carroll  Director of (TAPS), the national Veterans Service Organization providing resources to those affected by the death of a loved one serving in the armed forces. Ms. Carroll founded TAPS following the death of her husband, Brigadier General Tom Carroll, in an Army C-12 plane crash in 1992.

Important and Helpful Tips For Managing the Holidays For the Bereaved

By Gloria Lintermans - While grieving we go through many firsts as important dates come up on the calendar. Whether it’s the first anniversary, birthday or holiday, it’s good to have coping strategies in place to rely on to help us cope. The holidays can be a particularly difficult time. While we are used to being with [...]

My heart goes out to all of you in your terrible grief

From Carol – This message may help Evie. We lost our daughter in July of 2008. She developed an infection and sepsis and was dead in less than 24 hours. We had no chance to say goodbye. I have a terrible time even now with the feelingsof guilt that I wasn’t with her when she [...]

Coming up on Heroes Across America – Tuesday, Nov. 24

Oprah and People Magazine will Salute Heroes Across America on Tuesday Nov. 24, 2009-check your local tv listing.  One of our Open To Hope Writers, Bonnie Carroll is being featured.  Bonnie is a Lifeline for Grieving Families.  After her husband, Brig. Gen. Tom Carroll died in a plane crash in 1992, Bonnie was shocked by [...]

Engage with Grace Project - Thanksgiving Blog Rally

I received an email this week telling me about the blog rally being held by several health care bloggers to get the word out about starting the difficult questions on End of Life Care.

Their project Engage with Grace: The One Slide Project was launched in 2008 with the hope of getting people talking about end of life care. They created a single slide with 5 questions "designed to help get us talking with each other, with our loved ones, about our preferences."


Furthermore they are asking people to share this One Slide — wherever and whenever they can in blogs, in presentations and in conversations.

Thanksgiving Blog Rally
For Thanksgiving they are hosting a Blog rally, asking bloggers to post information about the Engage with Grace project starting Tuesday November 24 and leaving it up through the Thanksgiving weekend.

For examples of what other bloggers are doing this year the the blog rally see:

• Eliza Blog's 2009 post on Some conversations are easier than others from their Eliza blog.
• Paul Levy's 2008 post on Engage with Grace from his Running a Hospital Blog.

Spreading the Word
They are also asking people to help spread the word in their social networks:

• Donate your Facebook status by posting something about the Blog Rally.
• Donate your Twitter status by posting something about the Blog Rally, using the hashtag #EWG

They are suggesting using “Pssssst - Engage with Grace at www.engagewithgrace.org. Join the Blog Rally. Pass it on. #EWG”

You can learn even more about this project in the moving video by Engage with Grace co-founder and sister-in-law of Za, Alexandra Drane.

Engage with Grace from Health 2.0 on Vimeo.

To learn more about what you can do visit the Engage with Grace website.

Poems for Healing: The Messenger

The Messenger was written many years ago to provide a bit of solace and soothing words for a family friend and patient, both of whom had recently lost their spouses.

I decided to share the healing poem, The Messenger since it has been used as a remembrance poem by so many people in newpapers, brochures, online and at funeral services.

The Messenger

From an Angel on high
a tender message of love was softly whispered into the ear
of this humble scribe....


More about Journey of Hearts Poetry
I am always a bit surprised when I go searching for some of the healing poems that I wrote and included in the early days of the Journey of Hearts site.

My poems (The Messenger and In Memory of You) show up on many spontaneous bereavement sites from those whose deaths were not major news events to those whose deaths were major news events like 9-11, Laci Patterson and Michael Jackson. Unfortunately the poems are often unattributed to "Anonymous" and do not include a reference to the Journey of Hearts website.

The poem seems to have sprouted wings and flies around the Internet spreading healing words. By reposting a newer version of The Messenger online, I am hopeful that people will find the version of The Messenger and correctly link to the blog or the Journey of Hearts site.

More on Poetry on the Grief, Loss & Transitions Blog
Dyer K. Words to Comfort - In Memory of You July 2007. Grief, Loss & Bereavement Blog.
Dyer K. Poetry - To Help You Make it Through. August 2007. Grief, Loss & Bereavement Blog.

Image: Asafesh. Ink Pot. Royalty Free Use.

Water Blessing Label Bookmarks for Focused Healing

In September 2009 The Spirit of Water added several news products to their product line that I have already supported in this blog and in the NICU Parent Support Blog.

The new product that I am really excited about is their Water Blessing Labels Bookmarks, particularly the one for focused healing.


There are three news Water Blessing Label Bookmarks, one for Weight Loss, one for Focused Healing and another for Awakening.

• The 6 phrases on blessing labels for Weight Loss are: "fresh start," "mindful eating," "breakthrough," "vibrant health," "ageless beauty," and "boundless energy."
• The 6 words on blessing labels for the Focused healing are: "acceptance," "serenity," "courage," "patience," "humor," and "energy."
• The 6 words on blessing labels words for Awakening are: "love,""gratitude,""peace," and "joy."

The Focused Healing labels contain the 6 static-cling blessing labels, bookmark and inspirational mini cards. The words on the bookmark carry a healing message as well:

You are guided from within as your healing journey brings you back to yourself.

The bookmark can be used to inspire you in your healing process. Place it in a book as a reminder of your healing journey.

More affordable
These bookmarks are a smaller number of blessing labels than the regular size, so half the price $4.95 compared to $9.95 for the larger size.

Find out more about the bookmarks and other new products, the Water Blessing Labels and specially offers at their website, The Spirit of Water.

More:

Dyer KA. 2009. Water Blessing Labels a Way to Help with Healing and Coping. Grief, Loss & Transitions Blog.
Dyer KA. 2009. Spirit of Water - Love is in the NICU. NICU Parent Support Blog.
Dyer KA. 2007. Water Blessing LabelsTurn Water (or Medicine) into Liquid Prayers. NICU Parent Support Blog.
Dyer KA. 2008. Water Blessing Labels. Squidoo.com

Image Source: The Spirit of Water Website.