Getting Through the Night: Finding Your Way After the Loss of a Loved One

by Eugenia Price

Find comfort for grief and loss in this inspirational book. 

Eugenia Price, one of our most beloved inspirational writers, offers this simply written yet profoundly valuable book for anyone struggling through the loss of a loved one. She writes that the healing process comes first from the knowledge that accepting the loss does not mean we stop missing our loved one. 

Written simply and sensitively, Price demonstrates a sympathetic and hopeful view of the grieving process through insights into human nature and in her own experiences with death.

Genres: Grief

96 pages, Mass Market Paperback

First published January 1, 1982

About the author

Eugenia Price was born in Charleston, WV, June 22, 1916, to Walter (a dentist) and Anna Price. At the age of ten, she decided she wanted to be a writer and entered a poem in her school's literary magazine. She was raised as a member of the Methodist Church, but had left the church behind by the time she graduated from high school, at the age of 15, in 1932. She decided to leave writing behind to follow in her father's footsteps and pursue a career in dentistry. She attended Ohio University for three years, declaring herself an atheist during this time. In 1935, she became a student at Northwestern Dental School, the only woman admitted that year. She studied dentistry for two years, but writing continued to draw her. In 1939, she was hired to work on the NBC radio serial In Care of Aggie Horn. She continued as one of the writers for the show until 1942. She left NBC, going to work for the Proctor and Gamble show Joyce Jordan, M.D. from 1944-1946. In 1945 she founded her own television and radio production company, Eugenia Price Productions, developing other serials for Proctor and Gamble.

In 1949 Eugenia Price underwent a profound life change, giving up her college atheism to embrace Christianity. She considered a career change, but accepted a position with WGN Radio as writer, producer, and director for Unshackled, another radio serial. The popularity of the show led her to a lecturing career throughout the United States and Canada for several years.

Price began yet another career in the early 1950s when she was approached by one of the owners of Zondervan publishing. The 1953 publication of Discoveries Made from Living My New Life, a chronicle of her newfound faith and the experiences that led her to it, launched Eugenia Price into a new career as an inspirational writer. Other inspirational books followed, addresses issues of importance to women and children and other self-help concerns and urging readers away from advances in psychology and analysis and toward a life based on Biblical tenants. Many of her inspirational books are still in print, a testimony to the comfort and empathy many readers found in her works.

Eugenia Price gained a much wider audience though when she began publishing historical romances set in the American South. These novels were praised as "compelling sagas that blend personal stories of love and tragedy. . . with the dramatic events of a region's history." Her first historical romance, The Beloved Invader, was inspired her visit to Saint Simons Island, Georgia and based on one of the island's nineteenth-century inhabitants. The Beloved Invader was published in 1965 and followed by two other romances, New Moon Rising (1969) and Lighthouse (1971), to form the St. Simons Trilogy.

Her historical romances made Price a frequent member of the best-seller lists and brought her millions of readers. Although she continued to write and to publish inspirational works, it was her romances that brought her the greatest attention.

Eugenia Price died May 28, 1996, in Brunswick, Georgia of congestive heart failure and is buried in the Christ Church cemetery, Frederica, GA. Many of her books remain in print and have translated into 17 languages, charming readers of all ages and nationalities. Her manuscripts are housed at Boston University.

Reviews

[Clansmitty · Rating 5 out of 5]

This little book is written from a Christian perspective with an understanding of God’s loving character. It is not meant to be a treatise on grief, rather it is a collection of thoughts about grieving, God and His activity based on the experience of the author. I enjoyed reading it.

[Nancy · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5
"There is a true difference...between joy and happiness. 'Joy is God in the marrow of your bones.' It can bring times of happiness, but it is joy. Happiness depends upon circumstances. Joy is indestructible."

"Weeping may endure for a night, but joy cometh in the morning." -Psalm 30.5b

[Joanne Hofmeister · Rating 2 out of 5]

Somewhat helpful, but raised more questions that weren't answered in the book.

[Lisa · Rating 3 out of 5]

I bought this book after I saw it recommended from a friend on Instagram who thought a friend of hers who has lost a loved one might enjoy reading it to get through the grief of losing a loved one. Also, having recently lost my mother-in-law and looking towards my momma's later years, I thought I'd give a try to see if it also might be good for a friend who recently lost her husband to read.

Although not a theological treatise, I do believe this small book would be very helpful for any believer who has lost a loved one.

Most of the points the author makes are biblically grounded. Some points she makes are personal wonderings and opinions. (It is hard to write a book such as this in large part due to the mystery of life after death and how the Bible gives us only small glimpses of eternity). We see lots of hope of a glorious eternal life and know it will be more than we could imagine, but we are not told everything, so books such as this read between the lines of scripture with lots of human conjecture. Which I do feel can help heal the wounds of grief, but may not be beliefs we would stake our lives on. The gospel is the only truth worth giving up our lives for. I do think this book gives encouragement though and hope for the future, all grounded in Christ and the healing He provides when we are hurting.

Someday, we will see face to face!!! When we see Him face to face, it will be more glorious than we could ever imagine! It will be better than we could ever understand or hope for!!

The writing is thoughtful, sensitive, and caring. Not a one shoe fits all type of book. It gives great encouragement and comfort and shares thoughtful ways in which one can look at death, life, and the afterlife with hopefulness and earnestness. The hope of finding God's restoration power is comforting. Laying down all one's burdens on Jesus and giving Him my resentment, and frustration as a "love offering" is a great strategy for finding light after darkness.

Understanding the true loving character and nature of Christ is so helpful and knowing that He can make broken things new, is so important. Knowing that your loved one is in the arms of Jesus is comforting.

I would say it errors on the side of optimism which in my opinion is exactly what the one who is mourning needs. My only caution is that I would pair this book with a more theological book (primary source the Bible) on the doctrine of the afterlife for a more well rounded viewpoint.

[C. · Rating 5 out of 5]

Getting Through the Night: is a sweet introduction to letting the hurt, anger, grief and sadness be what it is and how to make meaningful steps to finding a way back to active living. This is a small yet powerful book of insight and wisdom. With just enough of inspiration, antidotes, and encouragement to help lift your mood and remind you that you still have a purpose and can find a way to recovering a meaningful life during and after grief. I treasure this reminder that joy is indestructible and the stories left me with hope and ideas for the toughest moments in life. I highly recommend this books as gifts and personal support for you and your loved ones.

[Lucinda · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent advice for dealing with the grief process. I found I am doing well since I have a deep faith in my God who has been with me through it all. He has provided many wonderful people who have helped me not only through the grief process but with the care of my six room home and one acre of property, sale of this childhoood home, the moving, eye surgery and the second move into my current apartment. A penthouse apartment with a beautiful view of the ridges from whence I came and the hospital in which I was born seventy plus years ago. I have returned to the city where I once lived and longed to return. God has fulfilled my dreams and wishes.

[Donna Lyn · Rating 5 out of 5]

my neighbor loaned me this book - i hope it's still in print because it's a keeper. i want to purchase my own copy. it's an encouraging pep talk for someone in the depths of grief.tons of scripture to walk you along the valley of losing someone special.

[Covenant Presbyterian Springfield Ohio]

Call Number: 152.4 PRI

A gift from Beverly STURM.

Available.