• July 2, 2013
  • Self-Help
  • $15.95
  • Format: Softbound/Paperback
  • ISBN-13: 9781938416330
  • Trim: 5.5in × 8.5in

Creative Grieving

A Hip Chick's Path from Loss to Hope

Elizabeth Berrien

Grief is often perceived as a dark and lonely journey; as a result, it is a topic we avoid in today’s society. Within a 20-month period, Elizabeth Catignani endured the loss of her stillborn son and the subsequent death of her husband on active duty in Afghanistan. She found herself a 27-year-old widow whose life had been shattered. In this book, she shares the experiences, the wisdom, and even the joy she gathered on her journey from grief to hope.

Creative Grieving offers support and encouragement while acknowledging that there is no “right” way to grieve. Elizabeth tells you about the emotions she experienced while grieving in an ”instant gratification” society, the importance of self-nurturing, the balancing of grief and motherhood, the redefining of community and relationships, and the discovery of new passion and meaning.

Her authentic account of grieving will empower you as you cope with loss. Along with Elizabeth’s personal stories are pieces of “Hip Chick Wisdom” from a community of women, “Creative Hip Chick Ideas," and a list of helpful resources. By reading Elizabeth’s story of vulnerability and courage, you will learn how to find your own creative way of moving through grief to hope—uncovering gifts along the way.

www.CreativeGrieving.com and www.TheRespite.org

As a 31-year-old young woman who has already experienced the loss of her infant son to stillbirth and her husband, a Special Forces soldier, to the war in Afghanistan, I know how intense and transformative grief can be. When we are grieving the loss of a loved one, it is easy to feel lost, depressed, confused, anxious, and uncertain about how to cope with various elements of the ever-shifting grief journey. My book is designed to show women how to cope with grief creatively and artfully through sharing my personal story of loss and recovery, providing encouraging tips, creative ideas such as journal making, photography, yoga, and therapeutic art, as well as doses of women’s grief wisdom. My aim is to provide a lighter approach to the subject matter by injecting humor, colorful artistic imagery, and a fresh upbeat feel. My belief is that one cannot hold grief without the paradox of joy to successfully move through the healing process.