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Title
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Sibling Grief - Healing after the Death of a Sister or Brother |
| Author |
P. Gill White Ph. D. |
| Release Year |
2006 |
| Reviewed by |
Kathleen Weed |
| Review Date |
7/07 |
| Non-Fiction? |
YES |
|
Death of
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Sibling or child |
| Type of Death |
Any |
| Target Audience |
Bereaved |
| Reviewer Rating |
Excellent |
Summary
This book combines research, clinical experience, poetry, myth
and personal experiences of the author and of other bereaved siblings.
It is powerful compilation of information, written in a compact,
highly readable style. White acknowledges the profound grief of
sibling loss. She offers bereaved siblings both hope and practical
advice for healing.
Quotes
White included a beautiful poem she wrote about her own grief.
Sorrow
She rises out of nowhere, like a wave from the sea,
Slowly at first, silently, then crests and peaks;
Still I have a choice
I can turn away, go to work, watch a movie, play a game…
But I know sorrow well.
Though I turn away, she will wait,
perfectly patient,
until I am still,
then crush me with all her accumulated power.
Once I had angry walls to shut her out,
But her incessant pounding tore them down.
So now, when she rises,
I turn to her and say,
Here I am, I know you, sorrow.
She crashes on my shoreline,
And sorrow and I are one
Until, trailing frothy whitecaps,
She sweeps away.
P. G. White
General Themes
The general theme is support for those grieving the loss of a sibling.
The chapter, Five Healing Tasks, facilitates healing after the death
of a brother our sister. The tasks are:
- Learning about sibling loss and the grief process
- Allowing yourself to grieve
- Connecting with other bereaved siblings
- Telling your story
- Finding meaning in the loss
The chapter on bibliotherapy (reading as a way of healing) informs
on ways that the bereaved can gain insight and inspiration through
books and movies. White includes a thorough and well chosen annotated
booklist to help the reader find other helpful books.
What the Reviewer Liked
Even though the book is only 112 pages, it is packed with an interesting
variety of useful and informative information.
Shortcomings or Flaws
None.
Writing Style
White's writing style is accessible and organized. She successfully
combines personal observation with diverse outside sources. The
book held my interest from beginning to end.
Author Qualifications
White is a professional counselor who has lost a sibling. She specializes
in helping individuals who have experienced the loss of a sibling.
She founded and is the director of The Sibling Connection (www.siblingconnection.net)
a not for profit organization which provides resources to grieving
siblings through counseling, education, research, writing, and by
raising the public awareness of the profound impact of sibling loss.
Contact
Us
457 Kingsley Ave
Palo Alto, CA 94301
650-321-5272
Office hours are M-F, 9AM to 4PM Pacific time.
Here is a map
to our office.
Kara is the Gothic root of the word "care."
It means to reach out, to care, to lament, to grieve with.
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