Let's Talk about Grief

July 2020

A few weeks after my family and I (and much of the world) began sheltering in place, I heard Brené Brown interview grief expert David Kessler on her podcast. Kessler had already been on my mind that week: I'd read an interview with him that all of my friends seemed to be sharing on social media. Just reading the title of the piece, "That Discomfort You’re Feeling Is Grief," was somehow a consolation, as were his thoughts about this time.

He said, "This is survivable. We will survive. This is a time to overprotect but not overreact. And, I believe we will find meaning in it. ... we will continue to find meaning now and when this is over."

Kessler has added a sixth stage of grief to Elizabeth Kübler-Ross' original five (denial, anger, bargaining, depression, acceptance): it's meaning. He writes, "Your loss is not a test, a lesson, something to handle, a gift, or a blessing. Loss is simply what happens to you in life. Meaning is what you make happen." I've returned to that podcast episode and the Kessler interview several times over the last few months, and I recommend both to you as well.

Here are some other sites and articles that I hope might be helpful or cathartic for you right now:

and this resource for those with young kids at home or who otherwise have children in their lives:

I hope this finds you well, wherever you are, and that, when you grieve, you will be in the company of someone who gives you space, support, and love. May you come to find meaning in your grief.

Jennifer Grant

In about a month, A Little Blue Bottle will be released. In a short, taped conversation (about 9 minutes and held on Zoom, naturally), I speak with Gillian Whiting, the book's gifted illustrator, about some of her favorite spreads, my inspiration for writing it, and about the "colors" of grief. Watch it here.

Upcoming Events

Digital Story-times

I've been honored to learn that many librarians, teachers, children's ministry directors, and others have been reading Maybe God Is Like That Too and Maybe I Can Love My Neighbor Too to the children in their lives while physically-distancing. Read Beaming Books' "open rights" statement for online story-times during COVID-19. (Click here for free, downloadable activity pages.)

New Books to Discover

One of the fringe benefits of being a writer being a part of an amazing community of people who believe in the power of story. Click on these book covers to "meet" a few of my writing colleagues and discover new work.