How to Help When Parents Grieve
by Holly Fox Vellekoop
Life experiences often become a writer’s stories and that is true for the nonfiction book, How to Help WHEN PARENTS GRIEVE, by published author, Holly Fox Vellekoop, to be released January 15, 2010. The idea for this book came when Holly’s 39-year-old son passed away from cancer. The author found it unimaginable as to how she was going to face the rest of her days without ever seeing or hearing from her son again. As a mother who knew others who had a child pass away and witnessed their struggle, the author wanted to hear from them to learn how they were able to endure.
Recognizing that most of us think we know how we would feel should we suffer such an event, what was discovered is that no one truly knows until it happens to them.
That was the beginning of dozens of interviews Holly did with grieving parents who shared with honesty and love, their compelling stories of how their child died and how they cope. Twenty-seven of those are told within the pages of the book in the parents’ own words. All of the stories are as varied as are the individuals themselves.
What does one say to someone or what does one do for them to be helpful and show you care? Holly wrote the following in her book:
“Approaching a grieving parent can be a daunting task for the rest of their community. Some people feel uneasy and, not knowing what to say or do, do not do anything. They may fear saying or doing the wrong thing. That is disquieting for them, and understandably so.”
Within the book are many comments and actions that were found to be helpful to the grieving parents and those that were not, all of which were gleaned from the personal interviews. The reader will find them useful for approaching and responding to a grieving parent.
The book is also an excellent resource of practical ways for the grieving to cope with the many trials and difficulties they face daily. Regardless of how the child passed away, grieving is grieving, and parents need assistance with it. Should you be one of the nearly one in five who have lost a child, it is hoped that you will find a measure of peace and hope from the stories. The target audience is grieving parents, their relatives and friends, teachers, social workers, medical personnel, pastors, law enforcement and anyone interested in the grieving topic.
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Holly Fox Vellekoop worked for many years as a registered nurse at a state mental hospital. She retired as a Clinical Instructor In Psychiatric and Mental Health Nursing for Penn State University. Holly has a murder mystery published by Avalon Books. A copy of the book is $14.95 plus tax and may be purchased at www.amazon.com, www.bluenotebooks.com, and from the author’s web page at www.hollyfoxvellekoop.com. Holly has book-signings and speaking engagements scheduled and is available to speak to your group or church in an effort to assist others who are grieving the death of a child.
Source: March, 2010 Put Old on Hold NewsletterBarbara Morris — Image F/X Publications
Barbara@PutOldOnHold.com
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