Living with Grief and Loss
"In difficult times always carry something beautiful inside."
- Blaise Pascal
Welcome. I am the author of the book Seasons of Solace. Before I knew that I would have a book published, I began this website in an attempt to explore the healing journey through grief. I believe that healing comes as we make space in our lives to acknowledge and express our pain.
Several years ago my rosy view of life was shattered when my husband was killed by a drunk driver. I soon found that this one loss set in motion all kinds of other “lesser” losses, which I also had to learn to live with.
As much as we don't want it, loss affects all our lives at various points. Recently I was talking to a friend who didn't get the job she had good reason to believe she would get. She told me she feels like she is going through the grief stages. She knows what they are like from experiencing the death of family members.
Finding Healing
I offer this website to all who are on a healing journey through loss. Your loss may be traumatic and life-altering. Or you might feel your loss is small compared to some, yet your feelings are real and need to be honored.
On my journey, finding emotional healing has come through learning, writing, photography, and finding other creative ways to express my feelings. You may not see yourself as very creative - I didn't see myself that way either. But this isn't about becoming an accomplished artist, it is about becoming whole.
I invite you to explore some of what I have learned and how creative self-expression helped me to find healing. During my grief journey, I enrolled in a graduate program with a concentration in Trauma Healing. I also trained and became a spiritual director. These studies helped me process my pain and find new hope.
On this site, you will find:
- reflections about trauma and healing
- thoughts on stages of loss
- learnings about the value of lament
- book suggestions
- writing ideas for journaling and poetry
- ideas for using photography as a healing art
- suggestions for scrapbooking your story
- other creative ideas for expressing your feelings
- spiritual practices for mourning
- prayers and rituals
- a place for you to share things that have helped you on your own journey
Seasons of Solace by Janelle Shantz Hertzler
Learn about Seasons of Solace from author Janelle Shantz Hertzler's website.
|
Journey Through Grief Newsletter
A regular newsletter from the Journey-Through-Grief.com website. It includes journaling exercises, reflective writings for grief and loss, and updates about the site.
|
Journey Through Grief Blog
This grief blog keeps you updated on all additions and changes to Journey-through-Grief.com. Subscribe here.
|
make memory books
The author began to make memory books to help work through her grief. She shares ideas for both memory books and scrapbook journals.
|
Grief Journaling
Grief journaling is an important healing tool, but can feel overwhelming. These tips and ideas make journaling manageable.
|
Dealing with Grief through Photography
Photography can be one of the best and easiest means of dealing with grief emotions. The author shares ides for using it for healing in contemplative photography and memory books.
|
Grief Journey
The scriptural psalms of lament became very helpful to this author during her grief journey. She shares her learning and how to use the laments for your own reflection.
|
grief poetry
Writing and reading grief poetry can be a helpful way to work through the pain and sorrow of loosing a loved one. Author of grief poems shares her experiences.
|
Tributes to Deceased Loved Ones
A free memorial website to post tributes to deceased loved ones. Virtual memorials or online memorials are a convenient way to help scattered family members share memories.
|
bereavement stories
This page is dedicated to reader's bereavement stories. Read what others have learned and contribute your own story.
|
Stages of Grief
Learn about the stages of grief, how the order of the 5 stages of grief can be differnt for different people, and how the grief stages affect your handling grief.
|
Bereavement books, Books about Grief
This page lists some of the top bereavement books and grief recovery books recommended by an author of a grief book and website.
|
Articles on Grief
Grief book and website author offers her own unique tips and articles on grief.
|
Trauma Awareness and Healing Class Reflections
After the author's husband was killed by a drunk driver, she took a Trauma Awareness and Healing class. She writes about her learnings and reflects on it for the healing journey.
|
Bereavement Interviews
These bereavement interviews share the grief stories of people who have experienced a varity of losses in life.
|
spiritual direction and grief
Spiritual direction was an important part of the author's grief journey. She explains it here
|
Visualizing Your Spiritual Journey retreat
This retreat called visualizing your spiritual journey uses photography and other visual arts to express your spiritual journey.
|
Words to Express Sympathy,Sympathy Thoughts
Find the right words to express sympathy and words of comfort for sympathy.
|
Inspirational Devotions for Life's Difficulties
Hospice chaplain provides inspirational devotions for life's difficulties. She also provides lectionary commentary.
|
About Me Janelle Shantz Hertzler
Janelle Shantz Hertzler author of Seasons of Solace and the Journey-through-Grief website tells her "about me" story of loss and healing.
|
contact me
You can contact me with any suggestions or questions about things you would like to see on the site.
|
Share this Grief Site
Links for webmasters and bloggers to use to share this grief site with their readers.
|
Privacy Policy
Review the privacy policy and terms of service
|
Disclaimer
Please read the disclaimer
|
Bereavement Gift, Sympathy Inspirational Gift
The story behind the newest bereavement gift book on the market.
|
|
