Bearing the Unbearable

If you love, you will grieveand nothing is more mysteriously central to becoming fully human. A 2017 Indies Finalist from Foreword Reviews. When a loved one dies, the pain of loss can feel unbearableespecially in the case of a traumatizing death that leaves us shouting, ';NO!' with every fiber of our body. The process of grieving can feel wild and nonlinearand often lasts for much longer than other people, the nonbereaved, tell us it should. Organized into fifty-two short chapters, Bearing the Unbearable is a companion for life's most difficult times, revealing how grief can open our hearts to connection, compassion, and the very essence of our shared humanity. Dr. Joanne Cacciatorebereavement educator, researcher, Zen priest, and leading counselor in the fieldaccompanies us along the heartbreaking path of love, loss, and grief. Through moving stories of her encounters with grief over decades of supporting individuals, families, and communitiesas well as her own experience with lossCacciatore opens a space to process, integrate, and deeply honor our grief. Not just for the bereaved, Bearing the Unbearable will be required reading for grief counselors, therapists and social workers, clergy of all varieties, educators, academics, and medical professionals. Organized into fifty-two accessible and stand-alone chapters, this book is also perfect for being read aloud in support groups.