Who I am.

I write about the landscape of grief, nature, and the wisdom of fools. The author of four books, my essays, poems, and reviews have been published in over 50 journals, including in the Huffington Post and Colorado Review. I’ve won the River Teeth Nonfiction Book Award, the Chautauqua and Literal Latte’s essay prizes, and my work has been nominated for four Pushcart Prizes and named a notable by Best American Essays. My account of hiking in Yosemite to deal with my wife’s death, Mountains of Light, was published by the University of Nebraska Press. http://www.markliebenow.com.

Wednesday, April 6, 2016

What You Give Me When You Share Your Grief

When people who are grieving gather together, whether this is at a retreat or at a grief Dinner Party, they talk about their struggles and they support each other. They cry together and celebrate.

Those who are grieving know how hard it is to be vulnerable in front of others. Too many people have shut us down or turned away because our emotions were too strong or went on for longer than they thought they should. But when we are among others who are grieving, when we are among our tribe, we feel accepted, and by sharing our struggles, we begin to work our way through them.

* If you would like to read the rest of this post, let me know and I’ll send it to you. *

6 comments:

  1. Mark,
    Thank you for your beautiful reminder regarding what grief support groups entail. With your permission I'd like to present your material as author and share with a group badly in need of focus. Again, thank you. Carol Felvey

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hi Carol. Yes, feel free to share the post with your group. Having a support and fellowship group when you're going through grief is so important.

      Delete
  2. Terrific! Second request: May refer other readers from my website to yours? One can never received enough insight and support. Your website is a jewel.

    ReplyDelete
  3. This is beautiful. I just stumbled across your blog and I'm so happy that I did. Thank you. www.bohemianwidow.blogspot.com

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you. I hope you find other posts that you like.

      Delete