Don't Let Death Ruin Your Life: A Practical Guide to Reclaiming Happiness After the Death of a Loved One

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Summary: The book I wish I'd written
Review: ...It was with great interest and relief that I read the book, Don't Let Death Ruin Your Life, by Jill Brooke. It's filled with insights, wisdom, and compassion. What I like most of all about it is the fact that it gives us permission to miss our loved ones--in a healthy way--for the rest of our lives if we want to. Brooke assures us that it's okay to 'keep our loved ones close by and honor their memory while integrating them into our lives that have now been changed by their physical absence.'

"Some of the ways that she shares how to do this is to notice how our loved ones live on in our beliefs and our feelings, and to tell stories about the positive ways they affected our lives. In doing so, we continue to have a meaningful, significant relationship with them while, at the same time, moving through our grief to a brighter place and reclaiming our happiness.

"This is an amazing book, and one that I'll be buying for others and sharing with people for a long time to come...

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Summary: SURVIVING THE LOSS OF A LOVED ONE.
Review: Death leaves its mark, but there are ways to move through the painful aftermath of the loss of a loved one. "Society won't let us talk about our loved ones as if they are still alive" writes author JIll Brooke. But that is exactly what one should do- talk about them. Even though their physical presence is gone- one can experience incredible happiness just by be able to discuss a loved one. It is ok to say their name. The book walks people through bereavement healing steps such as keeping the memory alive, and channeling feelings of loss into accomplishment. As an incentive, Ms. Brooke enumerates people of achievement who became greater, stronger because of the loss of a loved one. Survival teaches us something more about ourselves. We are all achievers; we can go on, and yes time does heal all wounds. Sensitive and beautifully written. Well worth reading.

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Summary: This is a serious book.
Review: First I want to mention something another reviewer wrote, get this book before you loose a loved one. This is a serious prep book as well. Dealing with it straight up, head on and the pain will subside faster. I lost my Mother, the daily life I was living was horrible. I did read the entire book in two days. On the third day I would have to say the majority of my pain subsided substantially. The books writing style and basics should have no bearing on whether you purchase it or not, it has a powerful helping message. I have just finished another book I highly recommend that helped greatly and even furthered my peace, SB 1 or God by Karl Mark Maddox

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Summary: One of the very best books on the subject
Review: I began reading books and articles on death and grief more than 20 years ago, and after a while, I found they all said the same thing, more or less. Then I read Don't Let Death Ruin Your Life. I was delighted to find a book that reflected what my experience working with grieving people has shown -- that while painful, our relationship with loved ones continues and grief provides the opportunity to learn about life and living with greater purpose. Jill Brooke provides a new framework for the stages/phases of grief and offers everyone hope. I recommend it highly, both to those who are grieving and to those who are working with grieving individuals. And as I think about it, I recommend it to anyone who is interested in living a better life.

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Summary: Passionate, Practical Never Preachy
Review: Jill Brooke writes where others fear to tread. Her simple logic and easy-to read style gave me a feeling of peace while reading about this painful subject. Brooke writes of death as a muse and motivator and builds her theme slowly and in such a spirit of sharing that I felt I was being guided by a friend. One of the most important lessons learned, was how thinking, talking and remembering your loved ones with others keeps them alive through memories. The book is full of practical information and advice from grief professionals entwined around interviews from well-known personalities such as President Clinton who've experienced loss. A great gift,not just for the bereaved, but for new mothers looking for ideas on how to keep the memory of their parents alive with the next generation who never knew them. After reading this book, I felt I had the tools to help continue my loved ones legacy. This well researched book presents a very real way of thinking about death that removes some of the stigma and fear and leaves in its place compassion and hope for the future. Highly recommended.

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Summary: THE BOOK OPENS YOUR HEART TO PEACE AND ACCEPTANCE
Review: Losing a loved one is of the most profound emotions we will ever feel in our lifetime. Loss often evokes a combination of so many different emotions, sadness...for what we have lost, often guilt...could we have done more or prevented the loss, anger...why now, why was this person taken from me. Time heals all wounds, but often the scars and sense of loss remain.

There is a time to grieve and a time to move on, and this book is an excellent resource on the subject of death and loss. The book helps one to divert those mixed emotional feelings into constructive accomplishments - how to deal with the acceptance of loss, not reject it. There are no easy answers, but being a survivor gives us inner personal strength, more than we sometimes ever thought it was possible to have. When I was young, I remember reading the birth and marriage announcements in our newspaper to find out which one of my friends was getting married or announding the birth of a child. Now when I read the newspaper, it is often a formidable reminder of how fragile and short life truly is when I suddenly see some of those same names appearing in the obituary column. Regardless of your religion, spirituality or what it is you personally believe in, a measure of comfort comes from knowing that in spite of all the pain and joy that comes with life, the universe truly is unfolding as it was intended. There are a lot of wise words printed on the pages of this book and I would not hesitate for a moment to give or recommend this beautiful book to anyone who has experienced this difficult time of loss in their life.

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Summary: Healthy, Necessary Book When Dealing with Loss
Review: This work contains a lot of great information for a difficult time. Much thought and research was done to produce a sensitive and practical approach to a difficult subject. I read and referenced this work in my own book, The Wisdom of Death: Six Paths to Understanding Loss and Grief (available here at Amazon)and found it helpful in taking that journey into sorrow.

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Summary: The Best Book on the subject
Review: When I lost a loved one, someone gave me this book and it really made a difference. When the grief returns, I go back to this book and it truly helps relieve it. I have bought a few copies and will give one to anyone I know who suffers the same tragedy. Highly recommended.