Introduction

It is now over 8 years since my partner Andrew died, and I finally feel I have the strength and time to start this blog.

I am not a professional grief counselor, psychologist, or spiritual leader. I am merely an ordinary citizen who has walked the road of grief several times over and helped comfort a few close friends and family along that same road. I hope this blog may help you along your journey too or help you to understand and comfort a loved one who is grieving.

There is no right way to grieve, although there are some very unhealthy roads to turn down. I have seen those close to me react very diversely to death and take very different amounts of time to grieve. There will be nothing prescriptive about this blog; no religious dogma or boot camp exercise regimes. I read and sought advice widely, so references to and respect for spiritual thinking, both traditional and new, will sit alongside practical down-to-earth advice that helped me.

Some Feedback

September 7, 2017

I just received some lovely feedback from Rachel of Rotorua. Rachel is a nurse, and purchased some booklets for families. Her husband Neil uses the cards all the time in his work as a school counselor:

"I have a book on our coffee table and guests, friends, and family can all be found flicking through it, commenting, laughing, and going very quiet. Thank you. Each picture repeatedly speaks across the ages and grief journey experience.

My husband is a high school counselor and uses the cards with students and staff. The pictures give people silenced by grief a way to connect, understand and find hope. Thank you.