Loss is a universal human experience, and it is not limited to when a loved one dies. So often, loss and grief are seen as unwelcome companions on life’s journey, yet aspects of them can be transformative. This book explores a spirituality of grief that asks how loss and grief might offer us an invitation to grow.
· Almost all books on grief focus on care of the dying or bereavement – this fills a significant gap.· An informed and practical resource for all involved in pastoral care, who will be dealing with multiple experiences of loss at any given time. · Recognises the universality of loss and explores its potential for our growth. Loss is a universal human experience, and it is not limited to when a loved one dies. We experience loss in various ways throughout our lives: the death of a pet; the break-up of a relationship; children leaving home; job loss; the death of a parent; physical diminishment and more. So often, loss and grief are seen as unwelcome companions on life’s journey, yet aspects of them can be transformative. This book explores a spirituality of grief that asks how loss and grief might offer us an invitation to grow. This is emphatically not a search for ‘silver linings’ to sugar-coat pain, or a quick fix. Instead, it is recognition that our experiences of loss and grief have qualities that can enrich our lives, and that these are worth exploring. Ten chapters examine aspects of loss that are widely recognised: parting, regret, nostalgia, failure, bereavement, shame, ageing, dependence, mortality, and disenchantment. Each form of loss is accompanied by a ‘redemptive theme’, which seeks ways in which loss, over time, may be re-integrated into life and foster greater connection, meaning and growth.
