By Christiénne Miller

2009 has been a year of tremendous loss on many levels — jobs, loved ones, our sense of security and well being.

A few days ago, Good Morning America broadcast an excerpt from the Women’s Conference: Dealing with Grief, showing that all of us — no matter our social status — grieve.

Though it’s sometimes necessary — for a moment — to sit firmly at the bottom of a well of despair, most of us grow tired of the weight of our mourning. We don’t enjoy feeling depressed and helpless, but often lack the tools to climb out of our hole and back into the light.

That’s why one of my go-to resources, when grieving, is this wonderful book by Melba Colgrove, Ph.D., Harold H. Bloomfield, M.D., and Peter McWilliams. I’ve dusted off my copy of How to Survive the Loss of a Love many more times than I care to remember. I reached for this book with the break up of my first marriage and subsequent relationships, and every time I got laid off during the “dot bomb” era and subsequent financial crisis. I sleep with it clenched in my arms when news comes of the passing of someone dear to me.

To manage a deeper need, another great relief in moments of extreme pain and emotional distress is the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline. They deal with all types of counseling (for veterans too) and can provide you with valuable support and information, vital to your well being.

Over the years, I’ve given many copies of this book to friends, relatives, and co-workers — to quietly honor the person who originally gave it to me. I hope, should you or someone you care about need it, these recommendations help you experience the comfort and courage to let your grief give way to joy, peace, and brighter days ahead.

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