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 and in various ways. If you are feeling the need to talk to someone about your pain, read my Online Grief Counseling article.
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
- interviews from others who have experienced grief
- prayers and rituals
- a place for you to share prayer requests, questions, struggles, and 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.
- Hope for your Grief
- Do you feel alone in your grief? Listen to the story of someone who understands.
- Seasons of Solace Poetry Readings
- Seasons of Solace poetry readings for church groups, book clubs and support groups.
- 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.
- What's New?Journey Through Grief Blog
- This grief blog keeps you updated on all additions and changes to Journey-through-Grief.com. Subscribe here.
- Online Grief Counseling
- Considering online grief counseling? Read these interviews.
- 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.
- Ideas for Memorial Gardens
- Personal memorial gardens can provide a peaceful and healing place to remember your loved one.
- 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 Poems, Recommended Poems for Reading and Writing
- Writing and reading grief poems can be a helpful way to work through the pain and sorrow of loosing a loved one. Author of grief poetry shares her experiences.
- 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.
- 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.
- Inspirational Prayers, Sample Prayers
- Prayer can be difficult in times of loss or pain, find helpful inspirational prayers, sample prayers, and prayer requests.
- Stages of Grief, Handling 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.
- Loss of a child, CJ's Story
- CJ Couvillion writes openly and honestly about his experience with the loss of a child, his son Stephen Couvillion.
- 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
- My Memories Suite Review
- Before you buy, take a minute to read this My Memories Suite review and enjoy a coupon.