In this groundbreaking and "poignant" (Los Angeles Times) book, David
Kessler--praised for his work by Maria Shriver, Marianne Williamson, and
Mother Teresa--journeys beyond the classic five stages to discover a
sixth stage: meaning.In 1969, Elisabeth Kübler-Ross first identified the
stages of dying in her transformative book On Death and Dying. Decades
later, she and David Kessler wrote the classic On Grief and Grieving,
introducing the stages of grief with the same transformative pragmatism
and compassion. Now, based on hard-earned personal experiences, as well
as knowledge and wisdom gained through decades of work with the
grieving, Kessler introduces a critical sixth stage: meaning. Kessler's
insight is both professional and intensely personal. His journey with
grief began when, as a child, he witnessed a mass shooting at the same
time his mother was dying. For most of his life, Kessler taught
physicians, nurses, counselors, police, and first responders about end
of life, trauma, and grief, as well as leading talks and retreats for
those experiencing grief. Despite his knowledge, his life was upended by
the sudden death of his twenty-one-year-old son. How does the grief
expert handle such a tragic loss? He knew he had to find a way through
this unexpected, devastating loss, a way that would honor his son. That,
ultimately, was the sixth stage of grief--meaning. In Finding Meaning,
Kessler shares the insights, collective wisdom, and powerful tools that
will help those experiencing loss. "Beautiful, tender, and wise" (Katy
Butler, author of The Art of Dying Well), Finding Meaning is "an
excellent addition to grief literature that helps pave the way for steps
toward healing" (School Library Journal).
