Question from Bob for author Gloria Lintermans: I am dating a 43-year-old widow with a 9-year-old daughter. Much of what you raise in your book, THE HEALING POWER OF GRIEF, transcends age, but I would love to read about younger widows. Do you know some books about younger widows? Or do you have some thoughts on issues that are more common among younger widows as compared to older widows?

Gloria Lintermans responds: Dear Bob: Thank you for writing. The non-profit organization Young Widows or Widowers at http://www.ywow.org/ suggests several books written with the younger widow/widower in mind which you may find helpful.

That said, I believe there needs to be special consideration for the 9-year-old daughter, and I applaud your sensitivity in knowing this needs to be addressed. Both widow and daughter need to grieve and heal their loss and this takes time, patience and support.

However, adults and children grieve differently, and a child requires an environment of support much her own in order to heal. Rainbows is a support group curriculum for children who have suffered significant loss in their lives offered through the public school system. The Open to Hope Foundation provides excellent information on children and grieving under the DEALING WITH GRIEF tab, please click “GRIEF AND CHILDREN”. The Healing Place at http://www.thehealingplaceinfo.org/index.html also offers information on children and grieving.

Sending you warmest wishes for the three of you.

Gloria Lintermans, Co-Author

THE HEALING POWER OF GRIEF: The Journey Through Loss to Life and Laughter
and
THE HEALING POWER OF LOVE: Transcending the Loss of a Spouse to New Love

Contributing Writer, Open to Hope