The Losing of Gordon: A Beacon Through the Storm Called "Grief"

The Losing of Gordon is the second book that Joni Aldrich has written about survival. The Saving of Gordon was written to help readers survive a cancer diagnosis. The Losing of Gordon exists to help readers survive the struggles of grief.

The Losing of Gordon is written around a series of letters that Joni wrote to her husband, Gordon, during her grief "process." Some are heartbreaking. Some are almost humorous lessons in perseverance. All are inspirational. In this book, Joni teaches that although everyone grieves differently, the only way forward is to take one small step at a time. Stretch one hand out of the darkness. Remember that one heart still beats and must survive. Within each of us is the beacon that lights the way through the storm called "Grief."

May 13, 2006 Gordon dies; May 14, 2006 rebuilding begins.

"The beach was swept away by the twin forces of violent wind and waves. Days later, piles of broken shells were deposited onto the shore. Nature had begun the rebuilding process. This is much the same as the process we undergo when rebuilding our lives after suffering the catastrophic loss of someone we love..." Joni James Aldrich

The Losing of Gordon includes 18 inspirational and moving letters to Gordon. These letters will teach readers valuable lessons, including:
What to do when you cannot gain closure after a loved one dies.
How to successfully navigate the grieving process and why counseling truly helps.
How to restore confidence and turn your "broken shell" into something whole again.
How to tap into the innate instincts that will help you survive.
How to deal with your conscious and subconscious grief.
How to manage the business end of losing someone close to you.
What you can do to understand your own limitations through grief.
How to overcome your "if only" regrets.
How to manage being unwillingly single and alone.
Understanding the careless and reckless effects of depression and stress.
How to get through "the firsts" (e.g., holidays, birthdays, anniversaries).
What you can do to be "reborn" through your grief.
How to preserve your precious memories.
What the term "widow" really means.
The best and worst things to say to those who are grieving.

Selections from The Losing of Gordon:
"There is a Cherokee expression: 'When you were born, you cried and the world rejoiced. Live your life so that when you die, the world cries and you rejoice.' Today, the world cried because of the loss of a 'balding man with a booming voice.' At six o'clock this morning, you said good-bye to the pain and suffering that you've endured so bravely over the two years since you were diagnosed with cancer."
"Surely you remember that I told you I never wanted to be single again! You weren't supposed to ever leave me. Tonight, I went out with my friend Rebecca. Wow, are things different now than they were twenty years ago."
"In all honesty (and I have to be honest with you now that you're an angel), I think I've become reckless in my grief. In some way, I feel like I'm going around in a fog. Maybe they should suspend your driver's license, when you're going through mourning!"
"You know the plan we discussed regarding the house and motor home if anything happened to you? Well, I didn't handle things exactly as we had discussed. It was more of a guideline, wasn't it?"

The last verses of "A Broken Shell" by Joni James Aldrich:

Suddenly I was lifted up: a broken shell so blemished still.
She cleaned the sand off of my back: "I know just what to do with you."
A broken shell still has beauty and with a purpose once again.
She made me part of something new, and now my beauty's shining through.
Not unlike humans in tough times, when grieving breaks their stride.
Their broken shell can be repaired with loving care and restored pride.
A purpose found and cause renewed can be our human lifeline, too.
But not unlike the broken shell we'll drift until we make it through.




Visit Joni's Web site at www.griefbeacon.com.