Book Recommendation-It’s OK That You’re Not OK by Megan Devine
If you find yourself grieving someone who has died, I highly recommend this book.
If you love someone who is grieving, I highly recommend reading this book.
If you think it is possible that you or someone you love will grieve in the future, you should read this book!
Writing from her own experience of grief, Devine shares the wisdom that we often do not want to hear. There is no timeline on grief. Most things people say after a death are not helpful (even though they are well intentioned).
If reading a book on grief sounds like zero fun to you, that is okay. I will not force you to read it. What I do wish was required reading for life is the Appendix. In just four pages, Devine gives tips we all need to hear in an essay entitled, “How to Help a Grieving Friend”. Please read this part if nothing else.
Within this book, Devine shares her dream for a world where we understand grief as part of living and loving. She encourages us to do the hard work of sitting in our pain or sitting with those in pain. she encourages us to embrace silence and simply show up when needed.
Just one example of the beauty of this book. “If we just changed our orientation to grief as a problem to be solved and instead see it as mystery to be honored” (p. 60).
Honor the mystery with me, friends!