Emerging Voices Living On: A Journey Through Loss to Renewal is a book of poetry and ‘Art from the Heart’ which I composed and illustrated in 2010 to describe the feelings of grief and loss I experienced after the death of my husband of 42 years. The bereavement community, friends and family encouraged me to share what I had written because they felt that my words resonnated with other individuals who had encountered a loss of their own.
Loss and grief is a heart-rending experience and each one of us embarks on that journey in our own way. The mourning process is just that, a process, and there is no magic “time” for an individual’s grieving to end. Sometimes it feels as if the pain and sorrow from loss will never let up. These emotions are very raw and really hurt, but accepting them and allowing yourself to feel what you feel is necessary for healing to take place.
While leaving a permanent wound on your heart and soul, in time grief softens its hold. This tender scar can be reopened without warning, however, by an unexpected nuance or life event; and sorrow takes hold once again. As the Hospice Foundation of America has observed:
♦ “Instead of a series of stages, we might think of the grieving process as a roller coaster, full of ups and downs, highs and lows. Like many roller coasters, the ride tends to be rougher in the beginning; and the lows may be deeper and longer.
♦ The difficult periods should become less intense and shorter as time goes by, but it takes time to work through a loss. Even years after a loss, especially at special events such as a family wedding or the birth of a child, we may still experience a strong sense of grief.”
When you experience a loss of any kind, there are rivers and canyons of grief which cannot be crossed without a bridge. On that journey one needs a way through sorrow’s rough terrain to the other side of grief, to a place of renewal and healing. That is what this book ‘Emerging Voices’ is intended to be … a bridge to Living On!
We all know someone who has lost a loved one, or been through a tragedy but never know just what to say or do. Emerging Voices Living On: A Journey Through Loss to Renewal is for that person. It’s purpose is to inspire healing, hope and to reaffirm life. The words and Art from the Heart within Emerging Voices allows for a healing perspective that will take the reader on a journey of self-discovery and restoration.
One reader said “I wish this book was available ten years ago when I was going thru my own journey of loss.I know we all have such busy and hectic lives but it was so nice to sit down last night and spend a few moments reflecting. Emerging Voices is truly special and you won’t be disappointed. There are times when we all need a moment of encouragement, clarity and purpose. Laurel Rund is amazingly talented and this book is a generous gift of herself." Annette Rochelle Aben of The Magic Happens
