Facing Grief - The Podcast

Losing the closest relationship you have affects you long after the actual loss. Dealing with that continual struggle with the past and current reality is discussed in Chapter 10. This series of essays will be part of a future audio book - Facing Grief - The Hardest Days. Facing Grief - The Hardest Days are the recollections of the worst days of the author's grief journey. Each essay presented itself as the journey progressed. Each one capturing a moment of pain, reflection or sadness of an incredible loss. It is our prayer that these writings will be a comfort to you in your grief journey. Find the Apple Book version at this link - http://books.apple.com/us/book/id6444579046

“Never miss the moment”. The author recalls one of the most intense times at the very beginning of the journey in Chapter 9. This series of essays will be part of a future audio book - Facing Grief - The Hardest Days. Facing Grief - The Hardest Days are the recollections of the worst days of the author's grief journey. Each essay presented itself as the journey progressed. Each one capturing a moment of pain, reflection or sadness of an incredible loss. It is our prayer that these writings will be a comfort to you in your grief journey. Find the Apple Book version at this link - http://books.apple.com/us/book/id6444579046

Completing a task is satisfying. In grief, the layers of devastation present themselves in many ways. Chapter 8 will take you to this reality of grief. This series of essays will be part of a future audio book - Facing Grief - The Hardest Days. Facing Grief - The Hardest Days are the recollections of the worst days of the author's grief journey. Each essay presented itself as the journey progressed. Each one capturing a moment of pain, reflection or sadness of an incredible loss. It is our prayer that these writings will be a comfort to you in your grief journey. Find the Apple Book version at this link - http://books.apple.com/us/book/id6444579046

Living with grief challenges you in many ways. Most of the time in titanic, overwhelming struggles. In other times - the most basic of elements can surface as an issue. Chapter 7 explains the authors curious experience in this area. This series of essays will be part of a future audio book - Facing Grief - The Hardest Days. Facing Grief - The Hardest Days are the recollections of the worst days of the author's grief journey. Each essay presented itself as the journey progressed. Each one capturing a moment of pain, reflection or sadness of an incredible loss. It is our prayer that these writings will be a comfort to you in your grief journey. Find the Apple Book version at this link - books.apple.com/us/book/id6444579046

It can take your breath away. When all the realities of grief overtake you - all that is around you can melt away. Chapter 6 helps us experience the intensity of this time. This series of essays will be part of a future audio book - Facing Grief - The Hardest Days. Facing Grief - The Hardest Days are the recollections of the worst days of the author's grief journey. Each essay presented itself as the journey progressed. Each one capturing a moment of pain, reflection or sadness of an incredible loss. It is our prayer that these writings will be a comfort to you in your grief journey. Find the Apple Book version at this link - books.apple.com/us/book/id6444579046

We have all said it - we mean well but what do we really mean? In this special edition we will discuss what those of us in grief really need to hear. From Facing Grief - The Essays - Volume 1 - "The First 30 Days" - this is essay #17 - "Thoughts and Prayers"

Something you built - something you loved - is forever changed. Chapter 5 explains this sad change. This series of essays will be part of a future audio book - Facing Grief - The Hardest Days. Facing Grief - The Hardest Days are the recollections of the worst days of the author's grief journey. Each essay presented itself as the journey progressed. Each one capturing a moment of pain, reflection or sadness of an incredible loss. It is our prayer that these writings will be a comfort to you in your grief journey. Find the Apple Book version at this link - http://books.apple.com/us/book/id6444579046

The 40th day. At that time the world had crumbled and the devastation of the former life all encompassing. Chapter 4 takes us back to that time. This series of essays will be part of a future audio book - Facing Grief - The Hardest Days. Facing Grief - The Hardest Days are the recollections of the worst days of the author's grief journey. Each essay presented itself as the journey progressed. Each one capturing a moment of pain, reflection or sadness of an incredible loss. It is our prayer that these writings will be a comfort to you in your grief journey. Find the Apple Book version at this link - http://books.apple.com/us/book/id6444579046

In our own unique ways - we respond to grief differently. But in one area we are the same - anger. Chapter 3 visits how the author dealt with this reality of grief. This series of essays will be part of a future audio book - Facing Grief - The Hardest Days. Facing Grief - The Hardest Days are the recollections of the worst days of the author's grief journey. Each essay presented itself as the journey progressed. Each one capturing a moment of pain, reflection or sadness of an incredible loss. It is our prayer that these writings will be a comfort to you in your grief journey. Find the Apple Book version at this link - http://books.apple.com/us/book/id6444579046

If there is a ground-zero to grief - it is during those final hours. Chapter 2 takes you to those terrible, painful moments. Moments that become part of the new life. This series of essays will be part of a future audio book - Facing Grief - The Hardest Days. Facing Grief - The Hardest Days are the recollections of the worst days of the author's grief journey. Each essay presented itself as the journey progressed. Each one capturing a moment of pain, reflection or sadness of an incredible loss. It is our prayer that these writings will be a comfort to you in your grief journey. Find the Apple Book version at this link - http://books.apple.com/us/book/id6444579046

Call them routine, call them habit - we all have them. That is, until every pattern we knew came to a screeching halt. In chapter 1 we will examine a new reality in grief. This series of essays will be part of a future audio book - Facing Grief - The Hardest Days. Facing Grief - The Hardest Days are the recollections of the worst days of the author's grief journey. Each essay presented itself as the journey progressed. Each one capturing a moment of pain, reflection or sadness of an incredible loss. It is our prayer that these writings will be a comfort to you in your grief journey. Find the Apple Book version at this link - http://books.apple.com/us/book/id6444579046

Written by a grieving man to a grieving man

To those of you outside the state of grief - some thoughts.

The state of grief is not something you choose to be in. You become a participant because of your loss. You have no choice.

In March of 2022 "Facing Grief - Selected Essays" was published on Apple Books. The book contains 12 of the most listed to podcasts taken from the "Facing Grief - The Essays" collection of 166 written essays. This Audio Book draft of that book is presented here. Part 2 contains the last 6 selected essays and related materials. Part one presents the introductory material and the first 6 essays. We pray you are blessed by this material. The actual audio book is currently under development.

In March of 2022 "Facing Grief - Selected Essays" was published on Apple Books. The book contains 12 of the most listed to podcasts taken from the "Facing Grief - The Essays" collection of 166 written essays. This Audio Book draft of that book is presented here. This part 1 contains the first 6 selected essays and related materials. Part two will present the remaining essays. We pray you are blessed by this material. The actual audio book is currently under development.

“A look at where we have been” Today we summarize this volume 8 and conclude with an epilog. Join in this reflection and epilog in today's episode. From the essays Volume 8 - “Lessons” - written on July 20, 2020, day 343 of the journey - this is essay #19 - “Reflections #8 and Epilog” This ends the Facing Grief - the Podcast series. Visit our website “Facing Grief - The Essays” at www.essaysongrief.org to explore additional content and earlier volumes of the essay writings. Your participation with this podcast has been an inspiration to us and we pray - as always - that you have found comfort in what you have heard. Any comments you wish to offer will be greatly appreciated. Be blessed.

“The writing ends…the story continues.” The essays were never written on purpose. They were a natural extension of the writers proclivities and the immense emotional conflict that was raging. Like everything - there does come a time where an end is achieved. In eleven months 166 unique grief stories were created. Share with us our reflections on this strange, unique and awful time. From the essays Volume 8 - “Lessons” - written the week of July 15th through July 19, 2020, days 338 to 342 of the journey - this is essay #18 - “Lessons from the Essays”

“It is your only option” Contentions and more contentions can fill our days. Locked in to a situation where we can see no way out - we can become weary. Today we will hear about the author's realizations on his struggle and the insights that came to see him through. From the essays Volume 8 - “Lessons” - written on July 7, 2020, day 330 of the journey - this is essay #17 - “Lessons from the Struggle”

“Stunning. Unexpected. Humbling.” Profound moments are rare in grief - yet they do occur. The struggle is there and yet - unexpectedly - that struggle can change - we just never know when. This profound moment is the topic of today's episode. From the essays Volume 8 - “Lessons” - written on June 23, 2020 - day 316 of the journey - this is essay #16 - “Lessons from the Clothes”

“I've met a new person. I'm just getting to know them.” Finding out who we are is a reality of now being on our own. Today the author shares his journey through this strange and in some ways unwelcoming world of defining one's self. We experience this encounter in today's episode. From the essays Volume 7 - “Bridges” - written on June 2, 2020 - day 295 of the journey - this is essay #15 - “Lessons About Me - Part 2”

“The last thing you want to do - the first thing you need to go on” Grief brings with it a tenacity to hold on to what has been lost. Call it instinct, call it denial - whatever you call it - holding on is at the core of our life of grief. There comes a time though - and it may not even reach us consciously - that we do begin to let go. Explore this moment in today's episode. From the essays Volume 8 - “Lessons” - written on May 24, 2020 - day 286 of the journey - this is essay #14 - “Lessons of Letting Go”

“Grief vs. perfection.” Reaching a completion is difficult to realize. Often we may miss the significance of a moment that brings with it so much more than we could have anticipated. Today we will hear of a moment of completion that made itself quite obvious - and profound in its effects. From the essays Volume 8 - “Lessons” - written on May 18, 2020 - day 280 of the journey - this is essay #13 - “Lessons of Completeness”

“There is no greater love than to lay down one's life for one's friends. John 15:13 NLT” Caregiving - if you have been touched by the responsibility - is one of the most highest callings that can be achieved. Today we look at caregiving in a way you may never have been aware of - nor experienced. Explore this with us in today's episode. From the essays Volume 8 - “Lessons” - written on May 15, 2020 - day 277 of the journey - this is essay #12 - “Lessons from Caregiving”

“The Jewel of my life - November, 1973” In one of our more touching essays we will hear of lessons that are almost beyond words. From Volume 8 - “Lessons” - written on April 30, 2020 - day 232 of the journey - this is Essay #11 - “Lessons from Joann”

“Struggles, lessons, prayers...and tea.” Being ill is bad enough - being ill and alone brings an entirely new world of pain to the situation. Yet lessons were being delivered. Find out about those lessons in today's episode. From the essays Volume 8 - “Lessons” - written on April 16, 2020 - day 256 of the journey - this is essay #10 - “Lessons from Being Ill”

“It was a day in grief like any other, how could I know?” In the seemingly endless progression of our grief journeys - we long for release and comfort. Yet when a change does come - the welcome disruption that occurs is glorious in so many ways. In the midst of a welcome change - we look back to see how the previous day had no way of telling us it was the last of its kind. And while we could not have known the exact date - we can know something just as meaningful. Find out what that is in todays episode. From the essays Volume 8 - “Lessons” - written on April 16, 2020 - day 248 of the journey - This is essay #9 - “Lessons from my Last Day in Grief”

“Confirmation that big things are ahead.” Is any day really any different from any other? This week the author reveals all that was in a seemingly routine day - a day that was anything but routine. See what was lurking in day 245 in today's episode. From the essays Volume 8 - “Lessons” - written on April 14, 2020 - day 246 of the journey - This is essay #8 - “Lessons from Day 245”

“They are there if we look hard enough.” As grief makes you explore more and more of yourself and the past - there can be no stronger message than that left to you than from your Mother. All mothers are not the textbook examples we wished we had. Some were struggling with their own issues and problems while they were raising you. But under that veil can come lessons. Written on April 10, 2020 - day 242 of the journey. From volume 8 of the essays - “Lessons” - this is essay #7 - “Lessons from my Mother”

“Learning to walk all over again.” After losing a spouse one of the new realities is that you are no longer a “we” - but a “me”. It can be disconcerting to realize that you may not be so sure of yourself as an independent person since you have always been sharing life. Coming to grips with this new reality is the topic of today's episode. Written on April 9, 2020 - day 241 of the journey. From volume 8 of the essays - “Lessons” - this is essay #6 - “Lessons about Me - Part 1”

“Examples are the best teacher.” Where do the lessons of your life come from? They come from examples both good and not so good. Examples that were out in the open as well as those living in the background. Life is not so neat and tidy - but sometimes some of the most meaningful lessons were those you never saw at the time - those that were right there in front of you. These lessons are the topic of today's episode - written on April 8, 2020 - day 240 of the journey. From volume 8 of the essays - “Lessons” - this is essay #5 - “Lessons from my Father”

“Freedom. Joy. Tears.” Grief not only is the darkest place in which you could exist - it is also a prison - an emotional prison. To finally find any level of release from such a place brings with it an emotional release that is beyond description. From the essays Volume 8, “Lessons” - Day 235 of the journey - This is essay #4 - “Lessons of Liberation”

“The month that changed everything.” Superlatives are lacking when attempting to relate the events of March, 2020. In today's episode we will hear of the 6 profound ways this journey of grief was forever changed. From the essays Volume 8, “Lessons” - Day 232 of the journey - This is essay #3 - “Lessons of March, 2020”

“It makes all the difference” When another day of grief arrives - so does the darkness and sadness that has been a part of every day of the journey. But now there is a new element - that of hope - and not only the hope that is longed for - but a hope that has manifested itself in an extraordinarily way. This changes everything and in today's episode we will examine the amazing change that is now a part of every day. From the essays Volume 8 - “Lessons” - written on day 230 of the journey - This is essay #2 - “Lessons of Gratitude”

This begins Volume 8 of the essays entitled - "Lessons" “If you do not sit still, you will miss the lesson.” It is often difficult to catch your breath in your grief journey. Contentions with - whatever is the contention of the day is, can be exhausting. Yet there comes a time - you can never know when - that the landscape changes. And on that day there is an unmistakable change - a change that will grab you like nothing else can. In today's episode from March 28, 2020 - day 229 of the journey - we will hear of that day the author experienced. From volume 8 of the essays - “Lessons” - this is essay #1 - “Lessons of Peace”

Join us next week as we begin the last volume of the Essays - “Lessons”. This week: “A look at where we have been” As Volume 7 ends - the author reflects on where the grief journey has led. The stunning changes chronicled in each essay serve as a testament to this amazing story. In the epilog, the author ends this volume with a fitting reference. Join in this reflection and epilog in today's episode. From the essays Volume 7 - “Bridges” - written on March 15, 2020, day 216 of the journey - this is essay #18 - “Reflections #7 and Epilog”

“A missing ingredient now found” In all of what we lose in grief - one of the significant elements of the loss is a lack of caring. Caring seems so unimportant - in fact often it brings more pain than comfort. Amidst all that is lost in grief - caring is just another casualty of the loss. This unexpected connection was being restored and is the topic of today's episode. From the essays Volume 7 - “Bridges” - written on March 15, 2020, day 216 of the journey - this is essay #17 - “Caring”

“Stunning. Unexpected. Humbling.” They are few - yet we experience them at some times of our lives. Certainly when we entered the state of grief - but also - when, by the grace of God, we experience the beginning of our emergence from the worst of times we could live. Exploring these times is the topic of today's episode. From the essays Volume 7 - “Bridges” - written on March 13, 2020 - day 214 of the journey - this is essay #16 - “Defining Moment”

“You never know what is coming” In the turmoil of grief there is a constant unsettled feeling in the background. For the author - when that turmoil ceased in its full intensity - that was a moment to be remembered and celebrated. We experience this encounter in today's episode. From the essays Volume 7 - “Bridges” - written on March 11, 2020 - day 212 of the journey - this is essay #15 - “Reunion”

“Out of the rubble, the path to the future emerges” With the worst of the power of grief now past - a new perspective emerges. With the heaviness and darkness now lessened - an entirely new view is possible. This a moment that brings with it deep reflection. A new reality begins to emerge in today's episode. From the essays Volume 7 - “Bridges” - written on March 10, 2020 - day 211 of the journey - this is essay #14 - “Aftermath”

“Sorting out the precious” What is your life in the state of grief? A jumble of the past we long for, the future we reject and the present that does nothing but remind us of our loss. When a change does come - be it ever so slight or insignificant - a change that gives some measure of hope - it is time to take stock of just what parts of our life needs to be taken with us. That evaluation Is the topic of today's episode. From the essays Volume 7 - “Bridges” - written on March 10, 2020 - day 211 of the journey - this is essay #13 - “Packing”

“The dawn of a new era” In grief we exist in the present - as distasteful as that reality is. The past a narcotic to relive what has been lost - the future an unwanted bother. Then a day came when the hostility and disdain for the future ended. It was a time that was inevitable yet unwanted. But with the light now shining into the world of grief the change that has come is undeniable. That light begins to shine in today's episode. From the essays Volume 7 - “Bridges” - written on March 9, 2020 - day 210 of the journey - this is essay #12 - “Cease Fire”

“One incredible experience” Any change in the distressing state of grief is cause for celebration. When that change came in the most unexpected way - the results were stunning. This episode reflects on those amazing events. From Volume 7 - “Bridges” - written on March 8, 2020 - day 209 of the journey - this is Essay #11 - “One Week”

“The only way out is to let someone in” We are alone in grief. Our situations unique - situations that often put others off, make them reluctant to approach us. How can we ever escape such a plight? The answer we seek may not come from where we are - we may need someone else to enter our world. Someone to take a step where few even consider or try. We examine this reality in today's episode. From the essays Volume 7 - “Bridges” - written on March 3, 2020, 2020 - day 204 of the journey - this is essay #10 - “Rescue mission”

“You never know when it is coming” Faith is the assurance of things hoped for - things not seen. Yet faith in grief is even more difficult to experience…until that day when faith is realized. That stunning moment is the topic of today's episode. From Volume 7 - “Bridges” - written on March 2, 2020 - day 203 of the journey - this is Essay #9 - “The Answer”

“The Constant Struggle” As we live our days in grief - eventually we are faced with another reality we do not want to face. Although so much of what has been lost is so close to us - we do begin to lose our recollections of the day-to-day life we had. There are no answers at this point - only surviving the contentions that appear as we live each day. We discuss that contention in today's episode. From the essays Volume 7 - “Bridges” - written on February 29, 2020 - day 197 of the journey - This is essay #8 - “Forget-Me-Not”

“It's a part of you.until it isn't” Music is a part of our lives in so many ways. In this grief journey, the author experienced an unusual period of time in which the music in his life stopped. In today's episode - originally released as Facing Grief the Podcast episode 16 on November 25, 2020 - we will hear of this paradoxical time when the music just was not in him anymore - despite it being all around him. From Volume 7 - “Bridges” - written on February 29, 2020 - day 201 of the journey - This is Essay #7 - “The Music”

“Life with a hole in it”. Longing for what has been lost is a constant in grief. Contending with the idea that you will somehow have to live with such a deep loss is a struggle we cannot face by ourselves. We look at the struggle in today's episode. From the essays Volume 7 - “Bridges” - written on day 197 of the journey - This is essay #6 - “Missing”

“Sometimes there is no way out - without help”. The days in grief present a seemingly endless stream of emptiness. As much as we might try to remove ourselves from this trap in some way - often we just cannot achieve that goal. It is a part of this reality - a reality that we know will change at some point - not just today. The struggle is the topic of today's episode - written on February 24, 2020 - day 196 of the journey - in volume 7 of the essays - “Bridges” - this is essay #5 - “Gridlock”

“Powerful. Enduring. Painful.” Some are connected to things - some are not. For those of us that are, in grief this presents a new challenge. How do we survive without those connections we have lost? There are - as in grief - no easy answers - only living through each day as we struggle to exist. We will examine this in today's episode. From essays volume 7, “Bridges”. Written on February 21, 2020 - day 193 of the journey - this is essay #4 - “Connections”.

“The ultimate in joy now points to sadness.” Something that lasts is rare. When it is a love that lasts for decades it is something beyond special. Now that special relationship stands as not only a testament to something extraordinary - but also as a bitter reminder of what has been lost. In today's episode - originally released as Facing Grief the Podcast episode 6 on September 16, 2020 - we will learn more about this paradox. From the essays Volume 7, “Bridges” - Day 191 of the journey - This is essay #3 - “First Love:”