Comfort for the Grieving Adult Child's Heart: Hope and Healing After Losing Your Parent

by Gary Roe

Overview

"The author's ability to connect with the those grieving the loss of a parent is so evident. Readers will see themselves on almost every page and find the comfort they need in Gary's compassionate empathy and counsel." - Paul Casale, Licensed Professional Counselor/Marriage and Family Therapist

The loss of a parent is painful.

The loss of a mother or father can be traumatic. Oblivious to our suffering, the world around us speeds on as if nothing happened. Stunned, shocked, sad, confused, and angry, we blink in disbelief. Our hearts are broken.

We've known them all our lives. How could they be gone?

We look for comfort. Our broken, grieving hearts need it to survive.

Multiple award-winning author, hospice chaplain, and grief counselor Gary Roe is a trusted voice who has been helping wounded, grieving hearts find hope and healing for more than three decades. Written with heartfelt compassion, this warm, easy-to-read, and practical book reads like a caring conversation with a friend and will become a comforting companion as you navigate the turbulent waters of grief.

Gary's desire is to meet you in your grief and walk with you there. Composed of brief chapters, Comfort for the Grieving Adult Child's Heart is designed to be read one chapter per day, giving you bite-sized bits of comfort, encouragement, and healing over a period of time. You do not have to read it this way, of course. We all grieve differently. Read in the way that is most natural for you.

In Comfort for the Grieving Adult Child's Heart, you will discover how to...

• Process complicated grief emotions (sadness, anger, guilt, confusion, guilt, anxiety, depression, feeling overwhelmed, etc).

• Navigate all the relational changes - feeling alone, misunderstood, isolated, and even rejected by those around you.

• Handle the increased stress and uncertainty that this heavy loss can bring.

• Deal with physical and mental health issues, illnesses, and new symptoms that often arise.

• Take care of yourself through diet, hydration, fitness, and rest.

• Deal with a myriad of practical issues (financial challenges, parenting, family activities),

• Handle the intense sense of being orphaned that comes with this loss.

You will also find hope in how to...

• Think through the challenging spiritual and faith questions that frequently surface.

• Relate well to the people around you - those who are helpful and those who aren't.

• Overcome the tendency to run from emotional pain with unhealthy habits or compulsive behaviors.

• Deal well with triggers and the grief bursts that will come.

• Find the support you need for survival, recovery, and healing (safe people, fellow grievers, counseling, etc.).

• Develop a simple, realistic plan for birthdays, anniversaries, and holidays.

• Use your grief for good - for yourself, your family, and others.

• Allow this loss to give you greater perspective and motivate you to live more effectively than ever before.

• Make your life count, one day, one moment at a time.

Please don't grieve alone. Let Comfort for the Adult Child's Heart join you on this arduous, tasking journey. Be kind to yourself. Take your heart seriously.

Death has invaded, but it doesn't have to win. Read on. Comfort awaits you in these pages of this book.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781950382286
Publisher:	Gary Roe
Publication date:	01/31/2020
Pages:	260
Sales rank:	317,915
Product dimensions:	6.00(w) x 9.00(h) x 0.59(d)

About the Author

Gary's story began with a childhood of mixed messages and sexual abuse. This was followed by other losses and numerous grief experiences. Ultimately, a painful past led Gary into a life of helping wounded people heal and grow. A former college minister, missionary in Japan, entrepreneur in Hawaii, and pastor in Texas and Washington, he now serves as a writer, speaker, chaplain, and grief counselor with Hospice Brazos Valley in central Texas.

Gary is the author of more than a dozen books, including the Difference Maker Series (Living on the Edge: How to Fight and Win the Battle for Your Mind and Heart and Difference Maker: Overcoming Adversity and Turning Pain into Purpose, Every Day) and the award-winning bestsellers Shattered: Surviving the Loss of a Child, Teen Grief: Caring for the Grieving Teenage Heart, and Comfort for the Grieving Spouse's Heart. Gary has won two national book awards and his books have been honored as national book award finalists seven times. He has been featured on Focus on the Family, Dr. Laura, Thrive Global, Belief Net, the Christian Broadcasting Network, Wellness, Bustle, The Family Educator, the Family Bookmark, Professor's House, and other major media. Gary has over 700 articles in print.

Recipient of the Diane Duncam Award for Excellence in Hospice Care, Gary is a popular keynote, conference, and seminar speaker at a wide variety of venues. He founded and coordinates The Suicide Prevention Project and is part of the Brazos Valley Coalition on Suicide Prevention. He is a member of the Texas Authors Association, the American Institute of Healthcare Professionals, and the American Academy of Grief Counseling.

Gary loves being a husband and father. He has seven adopted children, including three daughters from Colombia. He enjoys hockey, corny jokes, good puns, and colorful Hawaiian shirts. Gary and his wife Jen and family live in Texas. Visit Gary at www.garyroe.com.

Table of Contents

What This Book Is All About

How Can You Be Gone?

Is This What A Broken Heart Feels Like?

How Can There Be A World Without You In It?

I Feel Like An Orphan

How Could This Happen?

Everything Feels Different Now

I’m Relieved

I Wish Money Wasn’t Such a Big Deal

I Feel Like I’m Going In Circles

You Were My First Best Friend

Other People Still Have Parents

There’s So Much I Don’t Understand

Nothing Could Have Prepared Me For This

I Thought The Will Was Specific Enough

I Never Knew Little Things Could Be So Heavy

I Wish You Had Planned Better

I Feel Empty

Everyone Wants Me To Feel Better

I’m Not Who I Was

Am I Going Crazy?

I’m Not Sleeping Well

I Thought I Was Better

Where Did Everyone Go?

How Do I Parent My Kids Through This?

I Still Need Parents

What Else Might Happen?

I’m On Edge

Could I Have Kept This From Happening?

I Said Some Things I Shouldn’t Have

Please Forgive Me

Is Someone Responsible For This Somehow?

You Weren’t Perfect

I Feel Lost

Our Family Is Forever Changed

I Have To Grow Up Now

I Have More Questions Than I Thought

The Void That You’ve Left Is Massive

I Don’t Feel Safe And Secure Anymore

I Feel Like A Shadow

I’m Exhausted

I’m Not Fine

My Children Don’t Understand

I Keep Getting Surprised

I Wish I Had Known

How Much More Am I Going To Lose?

I’m Frustrated With People

Missing You Is Making Me Sick

No One And Nothing Can Fix This

Relationships Are More Complicated Than I Thought

I Feel Strange

I Miss Your Voice

Your Birthday Is Coming Up

I Feel Trapped Sometimes

Can’t They See I’m Hurting?

Where Have All The Listeners Gone?

Guilt Came Visiting Again

I’m In Control Of So Little

What Does It Matter?

I Feel Depressed

I Miss Everything

Why Do People Say Such Things?

I Don’t Like This New Life

I’m Missing The Future

I’m Tired Of Grief

I Hope This Gets Better, Eventually

What Would You Do?

Silence, Listening Ears, And A Hug Can Do Wonders

I Had No Idea

Get Over You? Impossible.

I Lose You Again and Again

I’m Worried About Forgetting You

I Must Talk About You

Am I Next?

I Thought I Was Doing Better

I Want to Honor You

I Need To Be Real

Everyone Matters

I Didn’t Know What I Didn’t Know

I Continue To Learn From You

I Will Use My Grief For Good

Perhaps Letting Go Isn’t What I Thought

My Grief Is Changing

Why Do We Bury Our Grief And Pain?

I’m Swimming Upstream

Triggers Are Everywhere

It Will Be Hard, But It Can Still Be Good

One Day At A Time

I Want To Live Today As Best I Can

Concluding Thoughts

Summary Of Grief Affirmations

Additional Resources

About The Author

An Urgent Plea

Editorial Reviews

“Gary Roe is no stranger to grief. In Comfort for the Grieving Adult Child’s Heart, he captures the silent anguish of the grieving and provides practical understanding and insight for how to deal with the loss of a parent. I found myself saying, ‘YES, YES, YES!’ with every page. If you find yourself in the midst of grief, this is a must read to help make sense of it all.” – Dr. Troy Allen, Pastor

“The author’s ability to connect with the those grieving the loss of a parent is so evident in this book. Readers will see themselves on almost every page and find the comfort they need in Gary’s compassionate empathy and counsel. I highly recommend this book to anyone experiencing the loss of a parent.” – Paul Casale, Licensed Professional Counselor / Marriage and Family Therapist

“Healing from the loss of a parent is hard work. To do it well, we need to engage the bereavement challenge every day. In Comfort for the Grieving Adult Child’s Heart, Gary guides the reader through the healing process with a daily dose of honesty, courage, compassion and love.” – Dr. Craig Borchardt, President / CEO, Hospice Brazos Valley

“I give this book the highest praise I can – it rings true. While reading it, I relived the range of emotions I felt through my grief journey. At the end I felt hopeful and light again, just like in real life. I know it will be a treasured resource for others.” – Kelli Levey Reynolds, Mays Business School, Texas A & M University

“If you’re struggling with the loss of a parent, be encouraged. Gary’s book, Comfort for the Grieving Adult Child’s Heart, walks you through the process of emotional healing. You’ll find hope, healing, and help filtering your feelings.” – Dr. Charles W. Page, MD, Author of A Spoonful of Courage

“In his new book, Comfort for the Grieving Adult Child’s Heart, Gary Roe masterfully describes the journey of grief after losing a parent. But he doesn’t stop there. He guides the reader to a deeper understanding of what they may face on their journey. Then he provides helpful insights and affirmations to assist them along the way. There are no simple or correct paths on the grief journey. That is why Comfort for the Grieving Adult Child’s Heart is a must read. It will assist the reader in maneuvering the potholes, detours and dead ends they may face along this road.” – Brian Kenney, Pastor

“Comfort for the Grieving Adult’s Heart is the book for anyone who loses a parent. In its chapters you’ll recognize how you’re feeling that day, gain insight into why you’re feeling that way, and learn strategies to cope and grow. You’ll return to it again and again.” – Debra Johnson, M.Div., Hospice Bereavement Coordinator

“In Comfort for the Grieving Adult Child’s Heart, Gary masterfully describes the tapestry of emotion experienced by those affected by the loss of a parent. His connection to the reader is demonstrated through sharing his own journey of loss and healing. I share his books with clients and friends with great confidence.” – Carrie Andree, Licensed Professional Counselor

From the Publisher