The Craziness of Grief

The Craziness of Grief
Saturday, September 14, 2019 by Dee Lundgren MA LPC

Christians typically give casseroles when someone dies. Books are a close second.

After I lost my son to suicide, friends brought lots of food; more food than my refrigerator could hold. We appreciated their thoughtfulness. The problem was that Bob and I weren’t eating. Food didn’t taste good. Grief numbed our taste buds.

The books we received we were able to savor in the days that followed. My favorite book arrived at my doorstep, via UPS, Grieving the Loss of Someone You Love by Raymond Mitsch and Lynn Brookside.

The back cover has the following quote:

“Few losses are as painful as the death of someone close. No valley is as vast as grief, no journey as personal and life changing.”

In this short book are daily meditations of encouragement and practical biblical help. It’s a collection of devotionals dealing with 70 issues related to the grief process—ministering to both the head and the heart.

The best thing about this devotional is that it helped me realize that what I was feeling was normal, even though I felt crazy. Renewed hope that my peace of mind would return.

I felt inspired to keep slowly moving forward through what C.S. Lewis called, “the laziness of grief.” The apathy that sets in right about the time when others stop asking how you are doing.

I found comfort in knowing that my enormous fatigue after John’s death was to be expected. During the months and even years that followed, I felt tired all the time. Routine day to day responsibilities seemed overwhelming.

Concentration was gone, replaced by confusion and forgetfulness. Not remembering what I was doing, where I put something, or even the name of someone I worked with. It was reassuring to realize that I was experiencing grief rather than early dementia.

I recommend this book as one of the first reads after the death of someone close and a great gift to give to a friend in mourning.

I’m grateful for the thoughtful person that sent this to me when I was at the beginning in my journey through grief.

May your unfailing love be my comfort, according to the promise to your servant. Psalm 119:76

Share This Blog:

Comments

Yvette From Washingon, DC At 9/22/2019 3:42:40 PM

Hi Dee, Actually I have this little book and agree with you 100%. The scriptural references were and still are today a source of comfort and encouragement through this long journey. This is definitely needed. Thank you.

Reply by: Dee Lundgren

Glad you also found this book valuable. Thanks for sharing.

Joann sebastiano From At 12/4/2018 2:54:33 PM

Dee. I am grateful to have saved this message blog and will share w my sons friends fsmily as they grieve thrir sons loss this weekend. Thank u also for the idea of sending that book. I always make food but as u say—they may be too numb to eat

Reply by: Dee Lundgren

Thanks for sharing this blog with others. Again, being sensitive to what a family needs. Perhaps they do want food. I'm sure they'd appreciate if you asked if they could use a meal.

Patti Shene From SE Colorado At 9/19/2018 11:43:27 AM

Dee, thank you for sharing your personal experience and this book. I have several friends who are grieving loss (not to mention my own continued grief over the loss of my spouse) and will definitely pursue acquiring at least one copy of it.