Healing After Loss: Daily Meditations For Working Through Grief

by Martha Whitmore Hickman

The classic guide for dealing with grief and loss

For those who have suffered the loss of a loved one, here are thoughtful words to strengthen, inspire and comfort.

Genres: Grief, Self Help, Nonfiction, Spirituality, Psychology, Death, Inspirational

384 pages, Paperback

First published December 1, 1994

Reviews

[Tonya Wertman · Rating 5 out of 5]

Three months ago I lost my both of my parents suddenly and tragically to carbon monoxide poisoning. It was a devastating loss and I have yet to find peace, but I bought this book for myself and as I read the daily meditations, I am provided with hope and comfort.

The passages are very deep and realistic, written by someone who has suffered a tremendous loss as well.

I hope I continue to gain comfort from this bedside companion.

[Missy LeBlanc Ivey · Rating 5 out of 5]

Your grieving process is your grieving process. Nothing you feel or do is right or wrong. I went through every emotion available. There is no time limit. You find ways to plow through, and I plowed through and am still breathing and living life.

This book is a day-to-day helper and right on point. The author has already experienced what you are going through with the death of her daughter. She knows. No matter what you are feeling, it is alright. Just don’t sit there and dwell in it until you feel you can’t dig yourself out of a grave. That’s not alright.

I joined The 365 Hiking Challenge to help exert some negative energy and push myself through fears of being alone and doing things on my own. I hiked for months either alone with my dog, or with certain family members. But, they all petered out on me. I wanted to do more. Then, I met my new hiking buddy and now new partner.

My life has changed since the passing of my husband a little over a year ago now. I will always love and cherish him. But, whether I was ready for it or not, I had to learn to live life in a whole new way. God has shed his grace on me, even though a lot of times I still don’t feel like I deserve it. But, it is what it is, and I am once again able to feel happiness in my life.

[Judith Praag · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the kind of book that continues giving. I added it to the list of books that brought solace during period of grief and mourning after my baby had died at birth in 1993 and the following four miscarriages. There's nothing like recognition of what you've gone through/ are going through yourself... And nothing like a writer who knows what will really help. Little things that help one center and come back to the core.

[Cyndy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Hard to believe a year has passed since I lost my soulmate.

This book, with one meditation for each day, helped me so much. Given to me by a dear friend, I didn't expect to relate to it as much as I did. The author wrote this book after her daughter died. It's not super religious. Rather, it deals with what the person grieving is feeling. Sometimes I feel so out of sync. Inevitably the meditation for that day would describe just what I felt. I'm thinking of starting it again.

I highly recommend this book for anyone going through the grieving process, hospitals, and anyone helping those grieving. Thank you, Ann!

[Marcela · Rating 4 out of 5]

I bought this book after my mom passed away. It has been the toughest thing that I’ve ever been through. This book has daily meditations to help with grieving. It has helped.

[Naomi M Farley · Rating 5 out of 5]

This isn’t really a book you finish. You keep it near you and read it over and over, sometimes you stay on one page for days...comforting. A book I gave and was given.

[areader · Rating 5 out of 5]

I received this book in September 2017, a few weeks after my eldest son Joshua passed away. My best friend living in Canada sent it by post. I have read it twice times now. in 2019 I read it everyday without fail. Martha has a gentle way with words, each day's meditation opens up the heart to healing step by step. and i love how intuitively she places words on pages under days that comfort when i fall back into hopelessness and sorrow. i would recommend this even if you aren't suffering loss, you will help someone by understanding their path.

[Awilk -never sleeps-]

Not a book that needs rating. If you are reading this you are going through hard times, and this may help you.

[Molly · Rating 5 out of 5]

Best grief related devotional I'v ever found. It is fantastic. Full of awesome quotes. So affirming in so many ways.

[Lkhenne · Rating 5 out of 5]

I’m including this book on my list, even though it is an ongoing reading. I received many books on how to handle my grief, many are way too far on the religious side for me and I wasn’t getting anything out of it. This book is totally different. Very thoughtful right on task and daily useful. I would give this book to other people. Totally different viewpoint.

[Christina Erickson · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was given to me after my dad passed away and it was a very comforting daily read. The meditations are short, realistic, and encouraging. It’s incredibly relatable to a person going through daily grief.

It’s easy to keep up with and check off. I’ve already given it to several people and have the book all highlighted with my favorite reminders. Some days I was so tired from all of my emotions and processing and it was incredibly encouraging to know that reading one of these was something I could “achieve,” something that would help me get closer to healing - it helped me to still process even when I was weary.

It’s spiritually leaning, but caters to more than one belief system. As a Christian, I wish that it aligned more with the specifics of Christianity because that would have been extremely beneficial to me. But that probably makes the daily reminders better for everyone, whatever they believe in!

Solid daily devotional for anyone who is grieving.

[Carigan Rose · Rating 4 out of 5]

I was given this book after my Pop passed unexpectedly. There is a page for each day to help you navigate grief. Miss you Pop!!❤️❤️

[Amanda Staffieri]

Review Coming Soon

[Vona Stewart · Rating 1 out of 5]

There are some nice things in here, but unfortunately those nice things are overshadowed by insidious grief shaming.

I recommend Megan Devine’s “It’s OK That You’re Not OK” instead.

[Nathan Miller · Rating 4 out of 5]

Several years ago, when my grandmother died, my mother gave copies of this book to me and my younger brother. We'd both been very close to Grandma. I wound up processing my grief in my own way and more or less getting on with it. Then, exactly a year ago, my brother died, and that hit me like a sack of bricks. So I dusted off my copy and read an entry every day (except when I doubled up following backpacking trips). Written by a woman whose young daughter died, the pages are filled with thoughts about all that stuff that winds up whirling through our heads during that tumultuous storm we call grief. While some of it went in one eye and out the other, so to speak, it was good to have some reassurance that feeling or not feeling such-and-such didn't mean that something was wrong with me. If you're dealing with the recent death of a dearly-loved one, and you're not the type to find a support group or pursue counseling, you'll probably appreciate some kind of help and this book would be a pretty good place to start.

[Eileen · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a great book for grieving after a loss in your life of a dear one. There are thoughtful and comforting words which bring strength to a person. I enjoyed reading this and then started again on the Daily Meditation for each day and it is very comforting. Thanks to my sister's gift to me-- after the loss on my dear loving significant other/boyfriend, a caring wonderful loving man, who I miss very much.
He passed away suddenly on his way to my house one evening with a heart attack. We had spoken only a half hour before it happened and he was feeling fine. It was only 3 weeks yesterday and I am doing a little better, but still trying to fill the void and keep busy with things I enjoy and try to be
happy and move on.
Thanks for letting me share this. It is all new to me and I am now looking to find a grieving group also to attend a few weeks or so of classes, hoping to find out more of how to keep busy and begin a new life without him. Thanks GOOD Reads friends for letting me share and now on to some mystery or other good reading soon. hugs to all who love to read and enjoy relaxing with a good read.

[Dulcie · Rating 5 out of 5]

I'm technically currently reading this but I'm reviewing it now because I'm getting so much out of it. It's a book of daily meditations for those who have lost someone and I've been reading a few in the morning and evening. The author lost her daughter and I'm finding her insights to be so relatable and so profound. She puts into words things I'm feeling but can't quite articulate, so that when I read certain passages I think, "Yes - exactly!" and she is also giving me greater understanding of some things I am experiencing and walking me through them, such as recognizing the gifts in having someone who close who has died (they are there). One of the things I appreciate the most is her focus on having continuing relationship with the person who has died and knowing that they have not really left us, and they want us to continue living and enjoying life, which I know is true.

[Maria Almaguer · Rating 5 out of 5]

Because this is a book of daily devotionals, I'm reading it continuously, every single day. I bought it at a Jesuit retreat center last year, and it has brought me immense comfort after the death of my beloved mother last summer. And I will continue to read it as I go forward. I cannot recommend this tiny book highly enough to anyone who has suffered the loss of a loved one--and that pretty much includes every single one of us.

[B Sherburn LaBelle · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was recommended by my doctor. On bad days it was comforting to read.

[Kat V · Rating 4.5 out of 5]

Some of this I wouldn’t have been able to read closer to the time, but this truly is an amazing book. 4.5 stars

[Patrice Kumaran · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is not a book that you read from beginning to end. You start where you are, as it is daily, dated, meditations.

I lost my husband 7+ years ago. I began attending a grief support group 6 weeks later. It was a tremendous help in the first 18 months of grief. Books were recommended, but I could never bring myself to read about grief, fearing that it would be too painful.

A few months ago I began attending a different grief group (I had moved to a different state). More than one person suggested this book, and facilitator often reads that day’s meditation from it. Now that I have bought the book and started reading it each morning it has prompted me to think about different aspects of grief, how my grief has changed, and how it has stayed the same.

I’d recommend this book to anyone who has experienced a significant loss. It’s not overly religious, which I did not want. When religion is mentioned, it’s not confined to one faith, which I like, and is very important to me.

[0000000 · Rating 4 out of 5]

I bought this last winter (early 2020) in a daze and read it over the course of several months, not following the schedule and inhaling weeks or months at a time. Mine has the more modern cover with the calmer font.. I had low expectations of the random book I found at the bookstore but it was clearly put together by someone who felt the loss of a loved one very deeply and very thoughtfully. I appreciate what this book has to offer to those working through their grief. It is pocket sized and can thus easily be brought anywhere.

[Paula Cox · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book that was given to me by my friends mother, really did help me get through some of the grieving process. It reminds us that it is okay to laugh at something funny, it also reminds us that we are all going to grieve differently so not to expect the same things from everyone.

[Andrea Lorenz · Rating 4 out of 5]

Truly a fantastic resource for anyone who is grieving.

[Laura · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book really helped validate my feelings when it comes to dealing with the loss of my beautiful mom. I highly recommend this book to anyone who has experienced the loss of a loved one. It’s okay to not have good days but it’s also okay to laugh and love life again. Love you mom 🥰

[Betsy Williams · Rating 4 out of 5]

After losing my daughter, this book has been the most helpful of the books I've been given. It is a daily guide with small manageable thoughts to help the grieving person get through. I'm grateful to have found it and keep it on my nightstand.

[Tom Mobley · Rating 5 out of 5]

When my mom passed back in Dec of 2020 a good friend of mine Brenden Clinton sent me a care package of soup, cookies and this book.

Last year was a hard year for me, perhaps I spent to much of it in grief. But this book helped me process it and not become to overwhelmed by it.

I'd also say that it helped me provide closure to the loss of my mom, my "dad" and my dear student. Or if not closure, at least it helped me get to the point where I know that I am not alone and I have been able to put the loss in it's place.

I know that life is full of losses, perhaps the next time I face it I will be better prepared to deal with it.

Thank you Brenden for your gift.

[Becca Messman · Rating 5 out of 5]

By far, the best book for someone coping with heartbreak and loss. Short chapters that don't mince words or skim the surface. I was prepared for fluff but was dazzled with depth.

[Danielle Mootz · Rating 5 out of 5]

Helpful

[Helen · Rating 5 out of 5]

I will never forget someone handing me this book about a month after my husband passed. It has gently lead me through my first year of grief, and I am so grateful. If you know someone hurting, suggest this lovely book to them. I will hang on to my copy until I know it’s time to give it away.