ABSTRACT
W hen thinking about the experiences that would be represented in this book as examples of nondeath and nonnite losses, it was apparent that this could, indeed, become a very large project. In fact, when I described the subject matter of this book, I encountered many individuals who asked if they could share their loss experiences with me. In reading through these chapters, it is apparent that loss is a frequent companion to life, and letting go is something that we must learn, even as we attempt to hold on tighter to what we know, value, and love. We lose those that we love through normal milestones, transitions, relational change and dissolution, distance, and death. We can lose objects that we value and bestow with meaning. We can lose a sense of connection to our community, our country, and our beliefs. We can even lose ourselves. The language of loss, expressed in the stories, associated feelings, and outgrowth of these experiences, makes up a large part of our human experience, albeit often unacknowledged as such.
