Healing After the Loss of Your Parents: Finding Comfort & Purpose Through This New Life Stage as an Adult Orphan is a compassionate and empowering grief recovery guidebook that helps readers navigate through grief, cope with the profound changes that follow the death of our parents, and learn new ways to rebuild their life after loss.
Whether we think we are prepared or not, the passing of our parents ushers in a new stage in life as an "adult orphan." With it often comes a disorienting period of intense loneliness as we confront existential changes to our identity, sense of mortality, family of origin, and life purpose. It also tends to reawaken grief over the loss of our first parent.
This "natural rite of passage" brings a complex layer of grief and adaptation. After their deaths, it's common to feel lost and wonder: "What do I do now?" "Who am I now without them?" "Why do I feel so... untethered?"
When our sense of direction and security in the world is turned upside down, what we need is a compassionate grief sherpa to guide us through.
This heartfelt grief recovery guidebook takes the reader through the challenging journey of loss, offering insight from neuroscientists, psychologists, psychiatrists, licensed counselors, thought leaders, and wisdom teachers to help answer many common questions asked by those in mourning.
Ultimately, the real experts in coping with grief are everyday people who have walked this path before and provide advice and encouragement on how they emerged from their heartache to discover hope and healing.
This comprehensive, step-by-step guidebook is a valuable compass and resource for both the person dealing with this life-altering experience and those seeking practical ways to support a loved one at a time that forever changes them.
This book provides insight into:
- The Adult Orphan
- Difference Between First and Second Parent's Death
- Reawakened Grief
- Personal Transformation
- Identity
- Mortality
- New Stage in Life
- Empowered Grieving
- What Can I Expect? Emotionally, Physically, Cognitively, Socially, Spiritually
- How Grief Rewires the Brain
- Grief vs. Depression
- How Long Will This Pain Last?
- Triggers & Glimmers
- Holidays & Special Occasions
- The Afterlife, Visitation Dreams & Signs
- Coping Tools for the Mind, Body, Soul
- Bereavement Support Community Q&As
- "Healing Roundtable" Advice, Guidance & Hope
- How to Support Someone Grieving (What to Do & Say / What Not to Do & Say)
- Forgiveness & Moving Forward
- Signs You Are Healing
- Purpose
- Meaning-Making
- Rebirth
- The New You
*BONUS: Personal Journaling Section
- Notes to Myself
- Favorite Glimmers & Signs
- Parental Life Lessons & Advice
- Gratitude Journal
"At a time many might otherwise feel powerless, we can arm ourselves with answers and a deeper understanding of how the full scope of grief impacts our mind, body, and soul. This fresh insight can help us emerge not as victims of circumstance but as empowered in our healing and on our path forward." -Elaine Mallon, Author