Everyone loves a good story! And although a story can entertain us, it also is a powerful tool that allows a writer to transform a reader’s way of thinking in order to let him or her see the world from a new perspective — perhaps even tilting the view a couple of degrees to the positive.

Death and other losses, as no other occurrence, teaches the survivor important lessons about the sanctity of life. As a part of the grief journey, the survivor can metamorphose into the most courageous and powerful version of him or herself by teaching others how to reflectively respond, rather than reflexively react, to loss.

The sharing of a story of loss is healing to both the person who tells the story and to the reader. The writer and reader enter a partnership where together they can cry, laugh, validate each other and make a connection to another who has experienced something similar. Stories of loss and renewal weave a tight tapestry to keep us safe, if we were to fall again, by sharing the strength of the human spirit and its desire for survival.

As Co-editor of Thin Threads of Grief and Renewal, I am pleased to present to you a volume of eleven uplifting stories by authors who have experienced life-altering events, as many of you have encountered. By sharing these stories with you, Thin Threads and the authors are building a community of support for those who need solace in a time of need – a place where one can read of empowering acts of courage in the face of great despair and gain inspiration to move forward on his or her own grief journey.

I invite you to join us on Facebook for Grief and Renewal. Over the coming weeks I will be highlighting, in video, some of the stories included in this volume, along with other inspiring tidbits. Please become part of this supportive community where our plan is to empower those who have experienced loss with tools to move gracefully through his or her journey to the renewal of life.

You can pre-order the Thin Threads Special Edition of Grief & Renewal for $6.95 with no shipping through the publication date in mid-September. After publication, the volume will go up to $7.95.


Ellen Gerst, a Life Coach who specializes in grief and relationships, is the author of several books on grief, including A Practical Guide To Widow/erhood, born out of Ellen's own experiences as a young widow; 101 Tips and Thoughts on Coping with Grief, an easy-to-read reference guide filled with suggestions for every day use on moving forward through the grief journey; and Love After Loss: Writing The Rest of Your Story. "Love After Loss" is a blueprint on how to use her successful method to redesign your life to include a new love connection after the loss of a partner. Join the conversation on Facebook for Love After Loss. Click for more information and to order grief related services and books.