Grief Recovery Institute® Guidance Center


John James, founder of The Grief Recovery Institute

John W. James

Founder of The Grief Recovery Institute®
Co-Author of The Grief Recovery
Handbook & When Children Grieve

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Russell Friedman, Executive Director of The Grief Recovery Institute

Russell Friedman

Executive Director
Co-Author of The Grief Recovery
Handbook & When Children Grieve


Featured Article

Mother’s Day! Remind Me—Remind Me Not—Remind Me

In mid-April there are two things you can count on in the United States. One is the due date for filing your tax return. The other is the arrival of the annual brochures or emails reminding you to order those special flowers so they will be shipped on time for Mother’s Day. However, the company that sends the notices doesn’t know that my mother died nearly 19 years ago.

Needless to say, Mother’s Day has been different for me ever since.

I remember the first year after my mom died, when the floral reminder came in the mail. I stood in the den sorting through the mail and couldn’t help noticing the vivacious motherly and grandmotherly pictures in the full-color brochure. Within moments I fetched my handkerchief from my back pocket to dab the tears from my eyes.

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Ask John & Russell – “…And I Forgive You So I Can Be Free”—a phrase can save your emotional life. (Published 5-15-2012)

Q:

My husband of 20 years died unexpectedly 10 weeks ago today. He was only 45, the love of my life and my best friend. He was due to be released from the hospital and something happened. There was an inaccurate reading of his tests and his fatal condition was overlooked and he died the next day. It's difficult enough just losing him. Me and our son are having a terrible time coping with the loss and the anger from this "mistake" that led to his death. What do we do to get past the anger? We grieve and then we're hurt and angry... it's an emotional roller coaster. Why do I still feel in the back of my mind that I can have someone "fix it"? To call it an error or mistake is offensive to me. You can fix errors and mistakes usually. I'm an adult and can't filter all these emotions, so I'm extremely worried about my 14 year old son.


Russell Friedman Replies:

Dear Donna,

Thanks for your note and questions.

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Find Local Support

If you or someone important to you wants help with grief: Look for a Certified Grief Recovery Specialist℠ in your community. The Grief Recovery Institute ® trains and mentors Certified Grief Recovery Specialists℠ throughout the United States & Canada.

See Russell and John's blog at Psychology Today

Workshops & Training Schedule

The Grief Recovery Institute ® offers Certification Training programs for those who wish to help grievers.

  • April 2012
  • Ft. Lauderdale, FL - Apr 27 - 30, 2012

  • May 2012
  • St. Louis, MO - May 18 - 21, 2012

    Denver, CO - May 18 - 21, 2012

    Los Angeles, CA - May 18 - 21, 2012

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