A Friend in Grief

"What in the world am I going to say?" is one of our first thoughts when a friend loses a loved one. Everyone feels unprepared and at a loss. A Friend In Grief: Simple Ways to Help gives you the words and actions to reach out and support your friend with confidence and compassion.

"What in the world am I going to say?" is one of our first thoughts when a friend loses a loved one. Everyone feels unprepared and at a loss. A Friend In Grief: Simple Ways to Help gives you the words and actions to reach out and support your friend with confidence and compassion. Author Ginny Callaway draws on her personal experience and the stories of the people she interviewed to give you the honest answers you're looking for. Those who have lived through grief know first hand what comforts and what hurts. Topics included are: What NOT to say and why; small things you can do to make a big difference; how to support a colleague at work; suggested wording for writing a note; and how to provide support when you live far away. Our society doesn't provide us with much guidance on how to go to our neighbor's door when his loved one has died and say, "I'm here to help." We just don't know what to do so we turn away. We feel helpless and uncomfortable. Here's the book to help you find the right words, avoid the painful ones and be supportive when your friend grieves and needs you most.

Ginny Callaway was moved to write A Friend in Grief: Simple Ways to Help after her ten-year-old daughter, Sara Jane, died in an auto accident. Meeting with other grieving people in support groups, Ginny heard upsetting stories of insensitive, hurtful comments made by well-meaning friends, family members, co-workers and others. This inspired her to write a guide to help friends navigate these difficult times with more understanding and thoughtfulness. Although this is her first book, Ginny’s career has been in communication. She is the founder of High Windy Audio, an independent record label featuring children’s music, storytelling, and traditional folk music. Her proudest professional achievement is receiving a Grammy Award as producer for Stellaluna. Ginny and her husband David Holt, a multi-Grammy Award winning musician, television host and entertainer, live halfway up a mountain near Asheville, North Carolina with two black cats, the Boogie Woogie Twins and a neighborhood family of black bears. The couple’s son Zeb Holt lives in New York City.