Beyond Tears: Living after Losing a Child » (Second Edition, Revised Edition)

The book was written by Ellen Mitchell, who has a regular weekend column in Newsday, together with a group of nine mothers who each have lost a child: Carol Barkin, Audrey Cohen, Lorenza Colletti, Barbara Eisenberg, Barbara Goldstein, Madelaine Perri Kasden, Phyllis Levine, Ariella Long, and Rita Volpe. Visit the authors at http://www.beyondtears.net/.

Nine mothers who lost a child and met in a support group give comfort and direction to bereaved parents in a chorus of supportive voices.

Library Journal

Having lost a child, nine mothers met in a support group; now, under the direction of Newsday contributor Mitchell, they share what has helped them get up every morning and move through their grief. They discuss how relationships can be strained, why there simply is no answer to the question "why?", and what they do when a longtime acquaintance crosses the street to avoid talking to them. A chapter devoted to fathers reveals how they grieve differently than mothers. The thoughts and feelings related here are incredibly honest and courageous and would greatly assist any parent who has lost a child and feels alone. Highly recommended for all libraries. Copyright 2005 Reed Business Information.

Acknowledgments ix

Introduction 1

1 The Mourning After: The First Year 9

2 We Are Not Alone 28

3 Intimacy 44

4 Redefining Our Existence 63

5 How We Cope 87

6 Holidays, Birthdays, Anniversaries 105

7 Love, Laughter, and Gratitude 123

8 Until We Meet Again 136

9 The Fathers Speak 152

10 The Siblings Speak 173

Where We Are Now 185

Author's Note 187