Bøger af Cindi Brown

After the shock and trauma of a loved one's unexpected death, grief and loss can be devastating and confusing. Especially when we are unfamiliar with grief and the grieving process. You're probably looking for grief support for yourself or a friend or family member, and you want to better understand what you're going through emotionally, physically and mentally while grieving the sudden death of a loved one. That's exactly what author Cindi Brown experienced when her sister Jan died unexpectedly from a stroke at the age of 56, and that's why she wrote this gentle guide. After Jan died, Cindi had a deep need to understand what she and her family were going through. While there were many books and articles on grief, and the stages of grief, she couldn't find the short book of explanations and reassurances she desperately needed in those early, dark days. Unable to find a compassionate overview explaining what she was feeling/thinking, Cindi decided to write this small grief handbook with the intention of helping others understand what happens to them and their loved ones as they come to terms with the awful truth, and as they eventually begin the recovery process.The word "loss" simply doesn't capture the depths of pain and anguish we feel when a loved one dies. Thoughts rush in while we're grieving, thoughts of never hearing our loved one's voice again, never hugging them or holding their hand; thoughts of how our family and friends have been deprived of the joy and companionship of someone we will all miss for the rest of our lives. Losing a loved one is horrible. Awful. We often feel as though we'll die, too. There is an instant desire to escape the pain by wishing reality away, but the pain of loss must be worked through, and we must keep going for our own sake as well as for the people closest to us who also need support to begin healing. This grief handbook was written to guide you toward understanding and to provide encouragement, because no matter how dark your world seems now, you will once again experience light. No guarantees on how soon the light will return, but you will experience light again. Grief, a perfectly natural human reaction, is also very personal for each of us. While it can feel unbearable, grief as a natural process allows us to cope through those early, dark days, helping us to keep going until our minds, hearts, bodies and souls can begin the healing process.If you've lost a loved one, please know you are not alone. Please know you will get through. Please seek someone who will understand and guide or accompany you through healing. If this little book helps you get through those early, dark days, then it has served its purpose.

AWARD WINNER: BEST BOOKS 2009 AWARD, GOLD MEDAL IPPY AWARD, GOLD MEDAL INDIE WARD, FINALIST INDIE AWARD, 2 FINALIST GLYPH AWARDS (MULTICULTURAL & BEST FIRST BOOK BY NEW PUBLISHER). Author Cindi Brown shares the stories of Kenya's big-hearted, smart, creative, earnest and caring people, and she gives 100% of the book's proceeds to programs assisting Kenyans. Cindi was a volunteer at the Tropical Institute of Community Health (TICH) in Kisumu, Kenya, and reveals what life is like in rural villages and urban slums. She lived in Barack Obama's father's homeland, and worked with many people from the Luo community. The author reflects on Kenya: "Each day, I would walk to school on dirt roads, crossing paved streets and dodging cars and boda bodas (bikes for hire). I passed little herds of sheep and cows, school children in uniform shouting out, "Hey, white lady!" Young, handsome men from the slums walked to town for work. Cars passed, kicking up red dust. I would smile and say Hi to Maasai warriors guarding the fancy homes. Sometimes they would stand from their rock perch and shake hands, their lovely red plaid robes falling around their shoulders and covering their tiny, bony legs. Occasionally, I would pass coworkers, perhaps Mr. Henry Oyugi, perched on the back of a boda boda and calling good morning! Seeing his bearded face, tweed jacket and notebook stuffed with papers, as he bumped on the back of the bike, would make me smile. Henry's research office was next to mine. A student or intern, or both, were always in Henry's office, inputting research data or getting a lesson in research methodologies. Lots of loud accented talk in a mixture of Luo, Swahili, and English, punched with laughter here and there. I'd watch Henry and his prodigies with their heads bent over a data book, then I'd turn to look out our second floor window, across the tops of trees with red and yellow flowers in full stance. I looked toward Lake Victoria, into cloud puffs, and heard bird wings flapping, or Director Dan's rooster crowing next door. Henry's voice would rise and I'd look back to see someone else entering his office, bodies collecting in Henry's realm, voices mingling languages and hands clasping in greeting. The Tropical Institute of Community Health and Development in Africa. I worked at this college and assisted with communications and the Annual Scientific Conference and participation in the agricultural show. Passing through the gate each morning meant greeting Fred, John, and other guards and signing the logbook. Greetings are important and required stopping to inquire about each other's evening and night's sleep and morning meal, often while holding hands. Kenyans taught me about compassion and living in difficult situations. This book is my homage to their strength and intelligence."Learn about the issues faced by Kenyans as they struggle to improve their lives with farming and education, and as they work with limited resources to house, feed and clothe their children. Even within this cycle of poverty, there remains promise for change in the Kenyan middle-class and in rural villagers, especially the women who build homes, tend crops, sell their goods at market and collect water and firewood to be able to provide for their children. The reader will visit the slums and public hospitals, and see people fight to live; most struggling with HIV/AIDS-related complications, like TB or malaria. Journey to rural villages on bumpy dirt roads and enter villagers homes, made of mud and cow dung, that are exceedingly neat and comfortable. Attend frequent funerals held in the heart of people's homes where loved ones are buried in the yard amongst much wailing and choir song. See the small victories and the promise of the people.