Meryl Ain's Blog, page 4
October 20, 2016
Talking About Grief With A Comedian
Jordon Ferber is a comedian, who tackles the intrinsically unfunny topic of grief on his podcast, Where’s The Grief? By talking about grief, which he says “can be a very isolating experience,” he hopes “to normalize the conversation, which is often difficult to discuss with friends and even family.” He says he wants to “give people who have experienced intense loss permission to talk about it and exemplify the possibility of making it through the darkest periods of grief to a life full of hope and happiness.”
He often interviews fellow comedians about their losses, and although I’m no comedian, for his latest program he sat down with me in Brooklyn to discuss grief, resilience, and my two Living Memories Project books about keeping memories alive. The Living Memories Project: Legacies That Last was published in 2014 and features the stories of how 32 individuals transformed their grief by keeping alive the values, passions, and legacies of their loved ones. Its companion, My Living Memories Project Journal, published last month, is an inspirational, interactive and comforting workbook designed to help readers keep alive the memories and legacies of their own loved ones.
Jordon facilitated a very comfortable, wide-ranging conversation in which we covered a lot of ground, including the ways he keeps alive the memory of his brother, Russell, whom he lost 14 years ago. Russell was only 21 and was just about to graduate from The Culinary Institute of America (CIA) in Hyde Park, NY, with a degree in Baking and Pastry Arts when he died in a car accident. A year later, Jordon and his parents – David and Dorothy — founded the Russell Ferber Foundation, which funds scholarships for aspiring pastry chefs at the Culinary Institute who require financial assistance. The foundation holds an annual comedy benefit.
The loss of his brother has had a profound impact on Jordon and he has devoted himself to helping other siblings deal with their losses through his work with The Compassionate Friends, where he leads a sibling support group and has been a speaker at the organization’s national conference.
Jordon and I agreed that keeping alive a loved one’s memory is comforting and healing and can lead to an appreciation of the life we live. Most of all, we concurred that counting our blessings provides the perspective to move forward with hope and happiness.
Jordon does a great job in focusing on the many nuances of grief and loss, and I hope you will listen to the podcast. I’m looking forward to seeing Jordon’s stand-up comedy act, as well as to working with him again to spread our shared message of optimism and inspiration.
Listen to the podcast:
http://thelivingmemoriesproject.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/10/Episode_34_-_Dr._Meryl_Ain.mp3
This blog appeared in the Huffington Post: http://www.huffingtonpost.com/entry/talking-about-grief-with-a-comedian_us_58012642e4b0f42ad3d260b5
October 19, 2016
‘Living Memories Project’ lifts local author’s spirits
Reprinted from Newsday, May 8, 2014, by David Reich-Hale
Meryl Ain’s mom seemed to be in perfectly good health when an aggressive form of cancer took hold.
Within months, on Nov. 3, 2006, Ain’s mother was gone, stunning the author and educator who had lost her father only a year earlier.
“I had a very difficult time, and people kept telling me I needed closure,” said Ain, of Commack. “I came to the conclusion that there is no closure.”
Where’s the Grief Podcast – Episode 34 – Dr. Meryl Ain
In this episode, Jordon sits down with author Dr. Meryl Ain, who, along with her husband and brother, have written a book called “The Living Memories Project; Legacies that Last.” The book is a collection of personal stories from people from every walk of life, and many types of loss represented, describing the ways in which they honor their lost loved ones, and carry their spirits forward with them.
http://thelivingmemoriesproject.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/10/Episode_34_-_Dr._Meryl_Ain.mp3
We talk about how important it is to continue our relationships with those we have lost, and especially how helpful and healing it can be to reach out and help others along in their own journeys towards acceptance and hope.
A Living Memories Project Journal has also been recently published to encourage you to find ways to tell your own story.
Go to Where’s the Grief to listen to all podcasts here.
October 13, 2016
Grief Recovery After A Substance Passing (GRASP)
Grief Recovery After A Substance Passing (GRASP) provides support to those who have lost loved ones to substance abuse or addiction.
GriefShare
GriefShare offers support groups and seminars to help those who are grieving.
Journey Through Loss
Journey Through Loss offers support, education and resources regarding grief, death, dying, bereavement and end of life care.
Journeys Through Grief Newsletter Blog
Journeys Through Grief Newsletter Blog offers resources for coping with grief, loss and traumatic stress:
Modern Loss
Modern Loss is a new community, founded by Gabrielle Birkner and Rebecca Soffer, which offers contemporary views of navigating life after a death.
September 16, 2016
Companion Journal Now on Amazon
A unique workbook created to help people capture the memories and passions of their loved ones – everything from their hobbies and favorite foods to their accomplishments, traditions and favorite charities. My Living Memories Project Journal by Dr. Meryl Ain (The Comfort Coach), provides a cathartic experience for those who have had a loss, as well as providing a record that will be cherished by generations to come. It is a companion journal to the award-winning 2014 book, The Living Memories Project: Legacies That Last.
Published by Little Miami Publishing Company.
My Living Memories Project Journal is available on Amazon
For bulk purchases, please contact Little Miami Publishing Company
