ABSTRACT

This book was written to be a comfort and guide for bereaved parents whose adult child has died; to show by sharing our experiences that we are not alone in our responses to our child's death; that we are not weak, defective in character or otherwise inadequate because of the way we grieve; to spell out ways in which some of us have increased our understanding of our condition, found solace, dispelled guilt and anger, overcome depression, come to terms with survivors, and memorialized our deceased children. Questionnaires were sent to more than sixty bereaved parents of adult children who died and many anonymous examples from these questionnaires are used throughout the book.

chapter |10 pages

Introduction

chapter 1|10 pages

When Joey Died

chapter 2|10 pages

Four Phases of Grief

chapter 3|10 pages

The Condolence Call

chapter 4|8 pages

Fair-Weather Friends

chapter 5|10 pages

Crying at the Supermarket

chapter 6|12 pages

Why?

chapter 7|8 pages

Theme and Variations

chapter 8|8 pages

Whither Thou Goest, I Will Go

chapter 9|8 pages

On the Road to Damascus

chapter 10|14 pages

Gender and Grief

chapter 11|10 pages

The Search

chapter 12|10 pages

Conflicting Agendas: Adult Survivors

chapter 13|6 pages

Birthdays and Death Anniversaries

chapter 14|16 pages

Happy Holidays

chapter 15|12 pages

Your Health During Bereavement

chapter 16|10 pages

Seeking Justice

chapter 17|10 pages

I'll Never Forget You