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DM
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Grief Tools
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In Grief Tools, you’ll embark on a profound and healing journey through the complex landscape of grief. As a writer and author based in the Lake District, I’ve experienced the heart-wrenching experience of losing a child. In this book, I offer a powerful resource for parents and guardians who have faced this unimaginable loss.
The first half of Grief Tools provides insight into the most common questions that haunt grieving parents. It bravely addresses the internal struggles they face, from questioning if they’ll ever find joy again to the challenges of supporting their surviving children. With unwavering honesty, I discuss the raw and unfiltered emotions that often accompany grief, helping readers navigate the darkest corners of their hearts.
But Grief Tools doesn’t stop at introspection. In the second half of the book, I provide 140 thought-provoking prompts, each carefully designed to guide grieving parents in confronting their grief head-on. These prompts serve as stepping stones towards healing, encouraging readers to confront their pain, explore their feelings, and ultimately find a path towards acceptance and recovery.
I hope this work is a beacon of truth in the often murky waters of grief, offering solace and guidance to those who need it most. Grief Tools is not just a book; it’s a lifeline for those who have suffered the unimaginable loss of a child, providing a glimmer of hope and a roadmap towards healing.
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Part One
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How do I Cope with Grief?
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In Part One, I try to address the main concerns that I struggled with after my son, Dom, was killed by a drunk driver. The answers I found will hopefully provide you with some guidance as you try to navigate the painful aftermath of such a loss. Some of these areas include; coping with grief and guilt, to finding meaning and support.
Throughout this book, my aim is to provide you with consolation and understanding, even at the risk of repeating myself about certain things.
The day before Dom was killed, I’d just started my Masters in Creative Writing. During my bereavement counselling, Colin, my counsellor, suggested that writing was a great way to start the healing process. When I asked him how it helped, he didn’t know, it was just an alternative in his counselling kit bag. I spent the next ten years trying to find out why?
[/et_pb_text][/et_pb_column][et_pb_column type=”1_2″ _builder_version=”4.16″ global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_blurb title=”Common Questions” image=”https://staging.ianploftus.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/check.png” icon_placement=”left” image_icon_width=”20px” content_max_width=”100%” _builder_version=”4.17.6″ header_font=”Ubuntu|700|||||||” header_text_color=”#ff4200″ header_font_size=”22px” custom_margin=”||10px||false|false” animation=”off” header_font_size_tablet=”” header_font_size_phone=”16px” header_font_size_last_edited=”on|phone” image_max_width=”20px” locked=”off” global_colors_info=”{}”][/et_pb_blurb][et_pb_blurb title=”Support and Family Dynamics” image=”https://staging.ianploftus.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/check.png” icon_placement=”left” image_icon_width=”20px” content_max_width=”100%” _builder_version=”4.17.6″ header_font=”Ubuntu|700|||||||” header_text_color=”#ff4200″ header_font_size=”22px” custom_margin=”||10px||false|false” animation=”off” header_font_size_tablet=”” header_font_size_phone=”16px” header_font_size_last_edited=”on|phone” image_max_width=”20px” locked=”off” global_colors_info=”{}”][/et_pb_blurb][et_pb_blurb title=”Complex Emotions” image=”https://staging.ianploftus.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/check.png” icon_placement=”left” image_icon_width=”20px” content_max_width=”100%” _builder_version=”4.17.6″ header_font=”Ubuntu|700|||||||” header_text_color=”#ff4200″ header_font_size=”22px” custom_margin=”||10px||false|false” custom_padding=”1px|||||” animation=”off” header_font_size_tablet=”” header_font_size_phone=”16px” header_font_size_last_edited=”on|phone” image_max_width=”20px” locked=”off” global_colors_info=”{}”][/et_pb_blurb][et_pb_blurb title=”Coping Mechanisms” image=”https://staging.ianploftus.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/check.png” icon_placement=”left” image_icon_width=”20px” content_max_width=”100%” _builder_version=”4.17.6″ header_font=”Ubuntu|700|||||||” header_text_color=”#ff4200″ header_font_size=”22px” custom_margin=”||10px||false|false” animation=”off” header_font_size_tablet=”” header_font_size_phone=”16px” header_font_size_last_edited=”on|phone” image_max_width=”20px” locked=”off” global_colors_info=”{}”][/et_pb_blurb][et_pb_blurb title=”Grief Stages and Progression” image=”https://staging.ianploftus.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/check.png” icon_placement=”left” image_icon_width=”20px” content_max_width=”100%” _builder_version=”4.17.6″ header_font=”Ubuntu|700|||||||” header_text_color=”#ff4200″ header_font_size=”22px” custom_margin=”||10px||false|false” animation=”off” header_font_size_tablet=”” header_font_size_phone=”16px” header_font_size_last_edited=”on|phone” image_max_width=”20px” locked=”off” global_colors_info=”{}”][/et_pb_blurb][et_pb_blurb title=”Connection and Community” image=”https://staging.ianploftus.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/check.png” icon_placement=”left” image_icon_width=”20px” content_max_width=”100%” _builder_version=”4.17.6″ header_font=”Ubuntu|700|||||||” header_text_color=”#ff4200″ header_font_size=”22px” custom_margin=”||10px||false|false” animation=”off” header_font_size_tablet=”” header_font_size_phone=”16px” header_font_size_last_edited=”on|phone” image_max_width=”20px” locked=”off” global_colors_info=”{}”][/et_pb_blurb][/et_pb_column][/et_pb_row][/et_pb_section][et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ admin_label=”Step” _builder_version=”4.16″ overflow-x=”hidden” overflow-y=”hidden” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_row _builder_version=”4.16″ locked=”off” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.16″ background_size=”initial” background_position=”bottom_center” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.17.6″ text_font=”Ubuntu|||on|||||” text_font_size=”22px” text_letter_spacing=”2px” text_line_height=”1.8em” text_orientation=”center” custom_margin=”||10px||false|false” text_font_size_tablet=”20px” text_font_size_phone=”18px” text_font_size_last_edited=”on|tablet” global_colors_info=”{}”]
Part Two
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Journaling
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My doctoral research demonstrated how self-expressive and creative writing can be valuable as a grief therapy. Consequently, the second half of this book is a grief journal with over one hundred and forty prompts for you to contemplate. These prompts provide a structured way for you to verbalise your thoughts and emotions.
Your written responses will encourage expression, facilitate reflection, and by providing a safe space, help you feel validated in your grief by accepting your emotions. Just as important, your responses provide a record of your grief and your journey keeping the memory of your beloved child close to your heart.
[/et_pb_text][/et_pb_column][et_pb_column type=”1_2″ _builder_version=”4.16″ global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_blurb title=”Exploring Loss” image=”https://staging.ianploftus.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/check.png” icon_placement=”left” image_icon_width=”20px” content_max_width=”100%” _builder_version=”4.17.6″ header_font=”Ubuntu|700|||||||” header_text_color=”#ff4200″ header_font_size=”22px” custom_margin=”||10px||false|false” animation=”off” header_font_size_tablet=”” header_font_size_phone=”16px” header_font_size_last_edited=”on|phone” image_max_width=”20px” locked=”off” global_colors_info=”{}”][/et_pb_blurb][et_pb_blurb title=”Emotional Expression” image=”https://staging.ianploftus.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/check.png” icon_placement=”left” image_icon_width=”20px” content_max_width=”100%” _builder_version=”4.17.6″ header_font=”Ubuntu|700|||||||” header_text_color=”#ff4200″ header_font_size=”22px” custom_margin=”||10px||false|false” animation=”off” header_font_size_tablet=”” header_font_size_phone=”16px” header_font_size_last_edited=”on|phone” image_max_width=”20px” locked=”off” global_colors_info=”{}”][/et_pb_blurb][et_pb_blurb title=”Personal Growth and Healing” image=”https://staging.ianploftus.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/check.png” icon_placement=”left” image_icon_width=”20px” content_max_width=”100%” _builder_version=”4.17.6″ header_font=”Ubuntu|700|||||||” header_text_color=”#ff4200″ header_font_size=”22px” custom_margin=”||10px||false|false” animation=”off” header_font_size_tablet=”” header_font_size_phone=”16px” header_font_size_last_edited=”on|phone” image_max_width=”20px” locked=”off” global_colors_info=”{}”][/et_pb_blurb][et_pb_blurb title=”Legacy and Remembrance” image=”https://staging.ianploftus.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/check.png” icon_placement=”left” image_icon_width=”20px” content_max_width=”100%” _builder_version=”4.17.6″ header_font=”Ubuntu|700|||||||” header_text_color=”#ff4200″ header_font_size=”22px” custom_margin=”||10px||false|false” animation=”off” header_font_size_tablet=”” header_font_size_phone=”16px” header_font_size_last_edited=”on|phone” image_max_width=”20px” locked=”off” global_colors_info=”{}”][/et_pb_blurb][et_pb_blurb title=”Finding Meaning” image=”https://staging.ianploftus.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/check.png” icon_placement=”left” image_icon_width=”20px” content_max_width=”100%” _builder_version=”4.17.6″ header_font=”Ubuntu|700|||||||” header_text_color=”#ff4200″ header_font_size=”22px” custom_margin=”||10px||false|false” animation=”off” header_font_size_tablet=”” header_font_size_phone=”16px” header_font_size_last_edited=”on|phone” image_max_width=”20px” locked=”off” global_colors_info=”{}”][/et_pb_blurb][et_pb_blurb title=”Hope and Resilience” image=”https://staging.ianploftus.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/check.png” icon_placement=”left” image_icon_width=”20px” content_max_width=”100%” _builder_version=”4.17.6″ header_font=”Ubuntu|700|||||||” header_text_color=”#ff4200″ header_font_size=”22px” custom_margin=”||10px||false|false” animation=”off” header_font_size_tablet=”” header_font_size_phone=”16px” header_font_size_last_edited=”on|phone” image_max_width=”20px” locked=”off” global_colors_info=”{}”][/et_pb_blurb][/et_pb_column][/et_pb_row][/et_pb_section][et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ admin_label=”Footer” _builder_version=”4.16″ locked=”off” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_row column_structure=”1_4,1_4,1_2″ _builder_version=”4.16″ custom_css_main_element=”overflow: visible !important;” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”1_4″ _builder_version=”4.16″ global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.16″ text_font=”Ubuntu||||||||” text_font_size=”16px” text_line_height=”1.8em” link_text_color=”#666666″ header_2_text_color=”#000000″ header_3_font=”Ubuntu|700|||||||” header_3_line_height=”1.5em” link_option_url=”http://iploftus.bookdesigntemplates.zaxaa.com/s/4641455625075″ text_font_size_tablet=”” text_font_size_phone=”14px” text_font_size_last_edited=”on|phone” global_colors_info=”{}” link_text_color__hover_enabled=”on|desktop” link_text_color__hover=”#FF4200″]
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