Creative Grieving: A Hip Chick's Path from Loss to Hope

by 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 Berrien 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

202 pages, Kindle Edition

First published July 2, 2013

About the author

Elizabeth Berrien is the co-founder of the non-profit The Respite: A Centre for Grief & Hope (www.TheRespite.org) and also the founder of the organization Soul Widows (www.SoulWidows.org) for widows age 60 and under. Her book, "Creative Grieving: A Hip Chick's Path from Loss to Hope" is a Winner in the 2015 Next Generation Indie Book Awards.

Her journey through grief began in 2008 with the loss of her son at birth, followed by the death of her husband, a soldier, in 2009. With a fresh, personal, and candid voice, Elizabeth takes an integrative approach to the grief journey by incorporating innovative practices she learned through the Model of Heart-Centered Grief. She believes that as people process the loss of a loved one, they should look at themselves as a whole person—body, mind, and soul—and that each individual has the ability to access her or his own creative path. Through her story of loss and hope, Elizabeth discovered the paradox of grief and joy: namely, a person cannot have one without the other. With relatable wisdom and an edge of humor, she continues to inspire and empower others who are coping with grief by sharing her story, facilitating support groups, writing, and speaking.

Elizabeth is a co-author in the book In the Spirit of Abundance (Hay House, release date July 2013) and is featured in the book Bounce Back Women by Meryl Hartstein (release date TBA). Elizabeth is a Certified Creative Grief Coach™. She resides with her family in Charlotte, NC.