Linda Rawson

Reflections on Grief Linda Rawson

Reflections on Grief: Loss, Love, and Happiness is a non-fiction book on grief that begins with Linda telling her own, vulnerable story. Although Linda experienced many events that caused grief, she goes into detail about three incidents involving the death of loved ones. The grief intensified after each experience until it became debilitating and propelled her on a journey to find happiness. She goes through three harrowing experiences. First, her brother who died of Lewy Body Dementia, then her ex-boyfriend who died of complications related to alcoholism, and the final loss is her mother who died of Alzheimer's. A death of a sibling sometimes brings a search for meaning. The search that came about from her sibling's death was the search for her belief in what happens after death. If the death is unexpected, the search for where that person has gone becomes more pronounced. There are no words to describe the intense loneliness felt after the death of a loved one. The mixture of sadness and relief that they are in a better place. She continues on with the signs she has experienced to know her loved ones are still around her, even after they have transitioned. She discusses her coping mechanisms to find happiness with herself and others. Mindset is a big word, but it is also one that if practiced, carries you through times of your life where happiness seems impossible. Lastly, there is a happy ending.