57 Canadians were killed when Ukrainian Airlines Flight 752 was shot down from Iran. According to a piece in the Montreal Gazette by Jason Magder, those killed included newlyweds, students and young professionals. Perhaps just as important is the fact the victims were also sisters, brothers, aunts, uncles, parents and friends from every walk of life.
Stories on the tragedy were presented by nearly every major Canadian news organization including the Toronto Star, the Ottawa Citizen and the Vancouver Courier. A piece on CTVNews.ca quoted Justin Trudeau as saying, "On behalf of all Canadians, I would like to express my deepest condolences to those who are mourning the loss of a loved one. Your loss is indescribable and this is a heartbreaking tragedy. An entire country is with you. We share your grief."
Justin Trudeau knows all too well about loss after losing his brother in an avalanche in 1998 and his very famous father in the year 2000.
Coming together in the face of such an unspeakable tragedy is important. However, a vitally important question remains for the survivors: How does one handle such grief?
Montreal resident Laura Prince, author of Sibling Loss, A Sister's Journey From Despair To Celebration, offers some important words of wisdom that can help people begin to pick up the pieces and take the first steps toward healing.
"There is no recipe, and no-one knows--nor will ever know--how you feel, and how you have lived your personal tragedy," Prince stated. "It's a matter of finding your way through support groups, therapy and friendships. Writing is a major help, and listening to others' stories is also very healing. Whatever helps you feel compassion for all of us and gratitude for discovering a peaceful place again will help you chart your particular journey to healing."
"Time has illustrated to me that the death of my brother was the catalyst to my devastating despair; however, the lack of support was the tragedy. A person left with no avenue of help, especially a child, is emotionally doomed in most ways. Getting help was what got me over Mathew, but only after years of senseless suffering."
“In a document entitled 'The Mourners Bill of Rights', Dr. Alan Wolfelt explains that grief is as individual as a fingerprint. 'Do what is right for your soul. You have the right to move toward your grief and heal. Neither you nor those around you must forget that the death of someone loved, changes your life forever.' Treasure your memories and find others to share them with. That loved one will always live inside you. Be gentle with yourself and give yourself time. Write down how you feel, talk about how you feel to those you trust to express yourself, and time will help the process of healing."
Readers and reviewers alike have praised Sibling Loss. One called it "The best story illustrating the long term consequences of unresolved childhood grief that I have seen." Another said, "Sibling Loss: A Sister's Journey from Despair to Celebration is an excellent read and one I would recommend to everyone."
Allan Schnarr, of the Center for Grief Recovery in Chicago said, "Sibling Loss is not a book you read at a dispassionate distance. It is not for you if you choose to avoid facing your losses, not unless you become willing to turn around and face yourself. The reading is a deeply personal encounter with Laura, as she lays bare the unspeakable tragedy of the death of her beloved brother. As you encounter Laura, the mirror she offers will draw you in to the journey inside your own broken heart . . .There is so much to learn here about longing for love, losing love, and searching for it unwaveringly. This is the thread weaving Laura’s narrative. It is at the archetypal core of each journey through life, love lost and found.
"Laura makes it clear that fully grieving the loss of love brings one to a new home, a renewed discovery of love, a love strong enough and wise enough to walk through each new loss with durable, irrepressible grace. Thank you Laura”
Laura’s story, 'Sibling Loss, A Sister's Journey from Despair to Celebration', is a book that would be appropriate for anyone who has ever lost, or will ever lose a sibling. That would be nearly all of us.
Laura Prince is available for media interviews and can be reached by email at laura.prince.book@gmail.com or by using the information below. The book is available at Amazon. More information is available at Prince's website at http://www.siblinglossbook.blogspot.com.
About Laura Prince:
Laura Prince is both an author and the creator and manager of a symphony orchestra. Sibling Loss, A Sister's Journey from Despair to Celebration is her first book. She resides in Canada.
Contact:
Laura Prince
http://www.siblinglossbook.blogspot.com
laura.prince.book@gmail.com
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