My New Friend, Grief

by Anna Hodges Oginsky

I force my mouth to form a smile, but it is hard to look people in the eyes. I hear my dad's voice whispering, "Eye contact, Anna." But making eye contact means seeing and being seen. I try to avoid it. My head is nodding while my heart screams in disagreement with what is being said, "NO HE IS NOT IN A BETTER PLACE. THIS IS WHERE HE IS SUPPOSED TO BE. THERE IS NO BETTER PLACE THAN RIGHT HERE. WITH US.... With extraordinary honesty, Anna Hodges Oginsky shares how she experienced grief after the sudden death of her father. My New Friend, Reflections on Loss and Life tells the story of how Oginsky's previous life experience shaped her understanding of death and loss. As she sifted through the broken pieces of her heart, she discovered that befriending grief would allow her to move through life in richer, more meaningful ways. My New Friend Grief brings to light the feelings and fears many of us face in grief, but hesitate to explore. As Oginsky reveals her personal insights into loss and life, we find a friend who affirms for us that, as we too grieve, we are not alone.

Genres: Psychology

168 pages, Paperback

Published June 17, 2016

Reviews

[Zahra Naderi · Rating 3 out of 5]

این کتابو به اسم «روانشناسی دلتنگی» خوندم. شباهت زیادی به کتاب «سین سوگ، عین عشق» داشت، غم از دست دادن پدر. نکته جالبش برام این بود که از بدی های پدرش هم گفته بود، ازینکه هنوز هم یه وقتایی از دستش عصبانی میشه. توی ایران معمولا اینطوریه که همه یا به شدت پدر مادرشونو تخریب میکنن، چون فکر میکنن تمام مشکلاتشون از تربیت نامناسب کودکی یا تفاوت فرهنگی/مذهبیه؛ یا یه جوری تظاهر میکنن که انگار زندگیشون سرشار از صفا و صمیمیته و آخرین دعواشون مربوط میشه به پنج سال پیش که بعدش به سرعت با هم روبوسی و آشتی کردن. نمی‌دونم گفتن همه ابعاد زندگی کار درستیه یا نه، ولی خوندنش توی این کتاب حس همزادپنداری بیشتری رو در من برانگیخت. عاشقتمم بابا ولی گاهی رو مخم هم هستی.
بهش امتیاز کم دادم چون اصلا با کانسپت «خدای مهربان و «مام طبیعت» نمی‌تونم کنار بیام فعلا.

[Rachael Hogg · Rating 5 out of 5]

Grief and loss not just death

Anna, you have a gift with words and people. Sharing your journey and things you have learned are so comforting to those of us also in our own journeys. Loss isn't just about death, and the idea to embrace it, let it have its way, but to grow with it and around it is powerful. Thank you Anna

[Molly · Rating 2 out of 5]

I think this is a good book if you are recently grieving and have not read anything about it. If you are more familiar with the literature this may not be that informative. But, I would definitely recommend to 'first time' grievers, and, with any of these books, there is also something helpful, or a new perspective that one may not have gleaned before.

[Kathleen]

While moving thru my journey of loss, I use Anna Oginsky’s book, My New Friend Grief, as a guide—I can open it at random and find a message that touches my heart. I see loss, however painful, as a stepping stone to living life.

[Gina · Rating 4 out of 5]

This story helped me to direct my messy feelings and to adjust my expectations about grief.

[Nicole · Rating 5 out of 5]

A lovely read about one woman's journey through grief after the loss of her father. Anna's writes about grief in a way that gives hope. Hope that the living may use this unnerving emotion as a way to transform their lives. Thank you Anna for sharing your journey.