This is a rewind of Episode 8, “Finding Peace After Caregiving Ends,” strategically shared in the week before Father’s Day. Today I’m speaking to the hearts of listeners who have lost fathers, husbands, grandfathers, uncles, or someone special who’s been like a father. This is a deeper dive into a more emotional subject that is messy to think about and messier still to put into words. “What do I do now that my caregiving days are over?” “How do I heal from the absence of someone whose life has been so intimately interwoven with mine?”
There are volumes written on grief and recovery from loss. Full disclaimer, I am not a therapist. These are my observations about the grief process and tools that may help in healing, based upon all that I've learned. I offer three simple takeaways from three credible sources that have been useful for me and many others who are traveling this path to healing and wholeness after caregiving ends.
Resources:

The Journeying Through Grief booklets by Dr. Kenneth Haugk, https://www.stephenministries.org/griefresources/default.cfm/774
The Voices of Grief DVD, available to be streamed or purchased, https://voicesofgrief.org/
The website for Emily P. Freeman’s podcast and book, The Next Right Thing, https://emilypfreeman.com/
Today’s Bible touchpoint, from Ecclesiastes, 3:11, https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Ecclesiastes+3%3A11&version=NIV

Takeaways:

Losing a loved one has been particularly difficult during these pandemic years, causing additional caregiver trauma.
Dr. Kenneth Haugk is the author of a series of booklets called Journeying Through Grief that are designed to be read at particular times in the first year after loss.
My takeaway from these booklets is “find your healing people.”
Each person’s journey through grief is unique.
There is no timetable for grief.
Voices of Grief: Honoring the Sacred Journey is an award-winning documentary filled with helpful information from contemporary authors, poets, and grief experts.
My takeaway from this resource is, “You will be whole again, but you will never be the same.” This is not necessarily a bad thing.
Author Emily P. Freeman hosts a podcast and has written a book, both titled The Next Right Thing. Her work focuses on helping people in any life circumstance discern next steps, especially when decision making is difficult.
My takeaway from Emily’s work is “Be open to being the wink of God for someone else.”
Our Bible touchpoint from Ecclesiastes 3:11 is a reminder that we are on God’s time, and that He continues to work in our lives, even when some of the things we experience cannot be explained.

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