Other Losses
Military Loss | Suicide | Pregnancy Loss | Bereavement | Pet Loss | Men Only | Twin Losses | Grief Process
Articles
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A Lonely Death in Palm Springs
February 22, 2019
Hope is being able to see that there is light despite all of the darkness. – Bishop Desmond Tutu Palm Springs. Frank Sinatra. Elizabeth Taylor. Liberace. Mickey Rooney. Bob Hope. Rock Hudson. Lauren Bacall. Marilyn Monroe. The name of the city, coupled with the legendary icons of Hollywood’s Golden Era, cements Palm Springs in the […]
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Suicide, Betrayal and Coming Home
February 18, 2019
“Death leaves a heartache no one can heal, Love leaves a memory no one can steal.” an epitaph from a headstone in Ireland I stared at the plain paper note that had come in the mail. It was from Jack, my husband, and said simply, “It’s time for me to take off.” Enclosed in the […]
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A Daughter, a Mother and an Unexpected Passing: Darkness Followed by a Bright Moment
February 6, 2019
My wife and I are owners of a company that provides what technically is known as biohazard remediation. We provide cleanup and sanitization services when people are dealing with the aftermath of challenging incidents at their homes. We work with people at some very difficult moments in their lives. Examples of how we help people […]
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When a Sibling Dies by Suicide
January 31, 2019
In the initial months and years after my sister Denise died by suicide (just two weeks before her 18th birthday), I sought out as much information on sibling loss as I could. Denise was my younger sister, the one I shared a room with for 10 years, the one who knew more about me and […]
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From the Ashes of my Father’s Death
January 9, 2019
(Contributing writer Emily Kil co-wrote this article with her husband based on his childhood experience.) A 9-year old boy should be playing with friends, going to school, and making lifetime memories with his parents and family. Unfortunately, as a 9-year old boy, my life took turn down a pathway that should never have to be […]
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When the Loss is Not a Death: Interview with Dr Darcy Harris
January 2, 2019
At the annual ADEC (Association of Death Education and Counseling), I spoke with Dr Darcy Harris about families and their struggles with infertility and the unacknowledged loss. Darcy originally got interested in this topic when she was doing research on couples going through infertility treatment. The language they were using was the language of grief […]
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Taking Care of Yourself Through the Grief Process: Interview with Dr. Howard R. Winokuer
December 18, 2018
At the annual ADEC (Association of Death Education and Counseling), I spoke with Dr. Howard R. Winokuer about burnout after the death of a loved one and how we can take care of ourselves. In the video below, Howard shares advice on how to deal with burnout following the death of a loved one. Here […]
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Giving Back After Coping with a Loss: Interview with Dr.Janna Henning
September 6, 2018
At the annual ADEC (Association of Death Education and Counseling), I spoke with Dr. Janna Henning about her losses and how she went on to help other people the way she helped herself. Getting into the field of death and dying was influenced by Janna’s own loss experience. At the age of 21, Janna was […]
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Dear Dad: A Letter to the Long Deceased
August 24, 2018
Introduction Dear Dad is the story of my life told in the form of letters to my father, Walter Michael Jaworski, who died of a heart attack when I was five and whom, therefore, I never got to know. It is not a maudlin story of regret, but the tale of how one’s entire life — […]
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Grieving Suicide, Homicide or Traumatic Deaths: Finding Purpose in the Pain
February 17, 2018
If everyone around you does not understand why you can’t get past the past, perhaps it is because you are grieving a very complex or traumatic death. In the face of murder, suicide or untimely trauma, it feels nearly impossible to stop the intrusive thoughts. They play through your mind like a tape loop in […]
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Coping With the Loss of a Teen by Suicide
January 10, 2018
At the annual ADEC (Association of Death Education and Counseling), I spoke with Carolyn Zahnow about The Shore Grief Center and tips she has to find healing after suicide loss. Carolyn lost her son, Cameron, in 2005 when he was 18 years old. In the video below, Carolyn shares advice on how to cope with […]
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Why Some Families are Resilient
December 20, 2017
Kathleen Gilbert is based at Indiana University and specializes in grief counseling with military members and their families—however, she also works to help families build resiliency during deployment (without any deaths occurring). Gilbert spoke to Dr. Gloria Horsley during the 2015 Association on Death Education and Counseling conference about what she’s working on and how […]
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Jill Harrington: Loss of a Young Adult
September 28, 2017
Dr. Jill Harrington is a social worker, clinician and researcher at the Center for the Study of Traumatic Stress who specializes in grief after losing a young adult. “Some in the military and some in the civilian world,” explains Dr. Harrington, who chatted with Dr. Heidi Horsley during the Association for Death Education and Counseling […]
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My Summer of Grief Led to New Normal
June 26, 2017
Our daughter died on July 19, 2005. The shock of her suicide and my own gut-wrenching grief that day is painful to remember. No one in our family knew what to do or how to react. It was like falling out of a boat in the dark at high tide. We couldn’t “swim”. We couldn’t […]
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What Makes Sudden Death So Different?
May 22, 2017
It’s not just that we “didn’t get to say goodbye.” That common phrase, often associated with sudden death, is far too simplistic when unpacking the reality of completely unexpected deaths: accidents, homicides, suicides, sudden natural causes (e.g. heart attack, brain hemorrhage) and serious illnesses where death is unforeseen (e.g. epilepsy). SHOCK The scientific community explains […]
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Webinar: Healing After a Fatal Car Accident
April 19, 2017
The Compassionate Friends, the Open to Hope Foundation, and Carl McDonald, the National Law Enforcement Initiatives Manager for MADD, offer a special webinar on grieving after losing a child due to a driving under the influence (DUI) incident. Drs. Heidi and Gloria Horsley, the hosts, lost a loved one to a DUI crash—Gloria’s son and […]
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Traumatic Grief May Interfere with Memory
January 25, 2017
Dr. Gloria Horsley with the Open to Hope Foundation talks with Robert Zucker about traumatic grief, healing, and his own bereavement process. As a grief counselor and the author of The Journey Through Grief and Loss: Helping Yourself and Your Child When Grief is Shared, Zucker knows all too well how difficult bereavement can be. […]
Open to Hope Radio
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Child Accidental Deaths with Latanya DeBruhl
February 21, 2019
Dr. Latanya DeBruhl is a veteran educator, whose life was shattered when her 5-year old daughter asphyxiated on the monkey bars of her school playground during recess. She found new purpose in life as founder of Safe At Play, a nonprofit working to improve playground safety knowledge, understanding, and accountability. https://www.opentohope.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/Child-Accidental-Deaths-with-Latanya-DeBruhl.mp3Podcast: Play in new window […]
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Help I am Grieving! Support for young adults ages 18-25 with Fran Solomon
February 7, 2019
Fran Solomon never imagined she’d find herself in the field of death & dying. After triggering events brought episodes of deep grief, Fran refocused her energy into a quest for healing. She is the President and founder of HealGrief the only national agency addressing the needs specific to young adults ages 18-25 through Actively Moving […]
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Afghanistan: Grief support in a war zone with Lyla Schwartz
January 24, 2019
Lyla Schwartz is a Columbia University social work graduate. She works in Afghanistan as a technical advisor administering emergency aid to grieving Afghans and their families. She is committed to promoting mental health to those living in war torn areas, and helping them find hope after loss. https://www.opentohope.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/02/Afghanistan-Grief-support-in-a-war-zone-with-Lyla-Schwartz.mp3Podcast: Play in new window | Download
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17; Honoring those that Died in the Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School Shooting with Sohaib Qureshi
January 10, 2019
Seventeen-year-old Sohaib Qureshi, is a writer of poetry, a dual enrollment (high school / college pre-med) student, and a survivor of the 2018 Marjory Stoneman Douglas High school shooting. In honor of his 17 fellow classmates killed by the shooter Sahib has written and performs a Rap Tribute. Sahib’s uncle Abdur Rahman joins us on […]
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Jane Williams: Your Thoughts Can Transform Your Grief
November 29, 2018
Dr. Jane Williams is a clinical psychologist whose career has focused on trauma and loss. She completed a postdoctoral fellowship at Harvard Medical School where she trained in medical crisis counseling. After retiring from Wake Forest Medical School, she recently published Mysterious Moments: Thoughts That Transform Grief, a book that focuses on transformative thoughts that […]
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Lisa Zucker: Post-traumatic Hotline
October 18, 2018
On this show Dr. Gloria and Dr. Heidi Horsley discuss with Lisa Zucker Licensed Clinical Social Worker and Certified Thanatologist her work with the local school shooting at Douglas High School in Parkland Florida. Lisa has been involved in the formation of a nonprofit called Professionals United for Parkland aimed at connecting people with mental […]
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Debbie Rambis: School Shootings Trauma Response
August 2, 2018
On this show Dr. Gloria and Dr. Heidi Horsley interview Debbie Rambis executive director of The Compassionate Friends regarding support of the Parkland, Florida and Santa Fe, Texas communities in response to the recent school shootings. https://www.opentohope.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/08/Debbie-Rambis-School-Shootings-Trauma-Response.mp3Podcast: Play in new window | Download
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Mary Jane Cronin: Unexpected Change and How You Can Grow from Them
June 14, 2018
Lost a loved one and looking for hope? Join Dr. Gloria and Dr. Heidi Horsley in an interview with Mary Jane Cronin author and licensed counselor in a discussion of the impacts and opportunity for growth after loss. Join the conversation by texting in your questions. https://www.opentohope.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/08/Mary-Jane-Cronin-Unexpected-Change-and-How-You-Can-Grow-from-Them.mp3Podcast: Play in new window | Download
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Brooks Douglas: Choices: Forgiveness and Strength
June 7, 2018
Brooks Douglass is a film producer and actor, lawyer, businessman and former state senator in Oklahoma. In 1990, Douglass was elected as the youngest State Senator to serve in Oklahoma at age 27. His signature legislation was a 1992 bill championing the rights of crime victims. In 1979 Brooks and his sister Leslie saw their […]
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Deborah DeLisi: Grief: A Lifequake
April 12, 2018
Deborah DeLisi is a mother, artist and author whose life was plunged into shock and despair when her 29-year old daughter, Kate ended her life. Her book Lifequakes speaks to all of us of the intimate journey of grief and how to walk alongside fear and pain on the road to healing. She is the […]
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Sue Hamby: Finding Purpose
March 22, 2018
After finding her only son murdered, Dr. Sue Hamby found herself, shattered and on a difficult and painful grief journey. Even though the murderer has never been found, Dr. Hamby has found a new purpose in life which has helped transform her mourning into joy and her scars into stars. Her story offers hope and […]
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Dr. Christina Hibbert: Coping With Family Crisis
September 7, 2017
Dr. Christina Hibbert is a clinical psychologist and author specializing in women’s mental health, grief/loss, parenting, pregnancy, and personal growth. In 2007 her sister and brother-in-law died due to unfortunate cirmstances. Her family then doubled in size as they inherited two adorable nephews. Suddenly, she went from a mom of four children to six. http://opentohope.s3.amazonaws.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/08/29124453/Christina-Hibbert-.mp3Podcast: […]
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Jean Ann Williams: God’s Mercies After Suicide
July 27, 2017
Jean Ann Williams published a book on suicide loss after her youngest son Joshua took his own life in 2004. “God’s Mercies after Suicide: Blessings Woven through a Mother’s Heart” is a devotional style memoir showing how God walked alongside her in the most difficult grieving journey of her life. http://opentohope.s3.amazonaws.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/07/17172019/Jean-Ann-Williams.mp3Podcast: Play in new window […]
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Amy Cooper : Overdose Prevention
July 13, 2017
Amy Cooper is a singer/songwriter and bereaved parent whose son died of an accidental overdose in 2014. She is the Outreach Director with the National Coalition Against Prescription Drug Abuse and is a member of the Santa Clara County Opioid Overdose Prevention Project Coalition. Her goal is to bring awareness and education regarding drug abuse […]
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Allen Roth: Overdose: Supporting Parents
May 11, 2017
Allen Roth’s 30-year-old daughter, Tammy, died from a drug overdose in 1995. In the aftermath, he became involved with The Compassionate Friends and is currently the group’s Regional Coordinator in Washington state. Over the years, he has observed in himself and others the progression from overwhelming grief to a balance of being open to joy […]
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Frank Campbell Topic: Bereavement Outreach
March 30, 2017
Dr. Campbell is a certified thanatologist and Suicidologist . He is a past president of the American Association of Suicidology, and in his 30 years in the field best known as the developer of the Active Postvention Model or The LOSSTeam (Local Outreach to Suicide Survivors) concept. www.lossteam.com http://opentohope.s3.amazonaws.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/02/28064522/Frank-Campbell.mp3Podcast: Play in new window | Download
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Dr. Frank Campbell: Bereavement Outreach
March 30, 2017
Dr. Campbell is a certified thanatologist and Suicidologist . He is a past president of the American Association of Suicidology, and in his 30 years in the field best known as the developer of the Active Postvention Model or The LOSSTeam (Local Outreach to Suicide Survivors) concept. www.lossteam.com http://opentohope.s3.amazonaws.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/03/30055344/Frank-Campbell.mp3Podcast: Play in new window | Download
Podcast: Play in new window | Download
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Heather Stang Topic: Calming Your Mind And Restoring Your Spirit Time
March 16, 2017
Heather Stang is the author of Mindfulness & Grief, and a contributor to Techniques of Grief Therapy: Assessment & Interventions. Her inspiration for helping others stems from her uncle’s death by suicide and her stepfather’s sudden death following a surgical procedure. She offers free guided meditations at MindfulnessAndGrief.com. http://opentohope.s3.amazonaws.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/02/28063840/Heather-Stang.mp3Podcast: Play in new window | Download
Podcast: Play in new window | Download
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Allison Gilbert: Ways to Remember
February 2, 2017
Allison Gilbert is the author of Passed and Present, Parentless Parents and Always Too Soon. She is also coeditor of Covering Catastrophe, the definitive historical record of how broadcast journalists covered 9/11. Allison’s work has been featured in The New York Times, The Atlantic, The Huffington Post, and on NPR, CNN, FOX, MSNBC, CBS, and […]
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Sallie Lynch and Jim Giaccone: Losing A Sibling in a Terrorist attack
January 12, 2017
Sallie Lynch is the Development Consultant for Tuesday’s Children an organization formed in response to September 11, 200l. Tuesday’s Children is an organization supporting families and communities impacted by terrorism and traumatic loss. Jim Giaccone whose brother, Joseph was killed on September 11th is a volunteer mentor for Tuesday’s Children. http://opentohope.s3.amazonaws.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/01/04191716/Sallie-Lynch-and-Jim-Giaccone.mp3Podcast: Play in new window […]
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Karen Soltero: Sibling Loss
January 5, 2017
Karen Soltero is a bereaved sibling, having lost her younger sister Wendy in 2000 during a random robbery attempt in Hollywood. Karen is an active participant in The Compassionate Friends, leading workshops nationally since 2007. She is also involved with the Brady Campaign for the Prevention of Gun Violence. http://opentohope.s3.amazonaws.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/01/04191327/Karen-Soltero.mp3Podcast: Play in new window | […]
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Linda Goldman: Helping Grieving Children
December 22, 2016
Linda Goldman is an adjunct professor at Johns Hopkins Graduate School and Kings College. Linda is the author of Lucy Let’s Go: Helping Children Love A Pet Through Death and Dying, Life and Loss, A Guide to Help Grieving Children, 3rd Edition, and Great Answers to Difficult Questions About Death
Open to Hope TV
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Episode 152: Needs of People Coping with Mass Violence, Trauma and Military Loss
December 10, 2018
On This show Dr. Gloria and Dr. Heidi Horsley interview Sallie Lynch Development Consultant for Tuesday’s Children, which works with 9/11 families, military families and communities impacted by traumatic loss, and Amy Tucci CEO of Hospice Foundation of America and the executive director of the TAPS Institute for Hope and Healing® regarding providing grief resources […]
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Episode 151: Which Loss is Worse? Sudden or Anticipated?
December 10, 2018
On This show Dr. Gloria and Dr. Heidi Horsley interview Sallie Lynch Development Consultant for Tuesday’s Children, which works with 9/11 families, military families and communities impacted by traumatic loss, and Amy Tucci CEO of Hospice Foundation of America and producer of Living with Grief book and video series regarding strategies for helping families to […]
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Episode 149: Preserving Art Legacies After Loss
November 28, 2018
Art leaves a lasting impression on the world and keeps legacies alive for generations. On this show Dr. Heidi Horsley and guest co-host Doneley Meris, Executive Director of HIV Arts Network, discuss with Hal Bromm, founder of the Hal Bromm Gallery, Sur Rodney Sur, activist and artist, and Judy Glantzman, painting instructor at Rhode Island […]
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Episode 148: Friends Grieving Friends
November 25, 2018
Friends often become chosen family, and the loss can be devastating. On this show Dr. Heidi Horsley and guest co-host Doneley Meris, Executive Director of HIV Arts Network, discuss with Hal Bromm, founder of the Hal Bromm Gallery and Sur Rodney Sur, activist and artist, the friends who died, as a result of the AIDS […]
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Episode 145: Babies Don’t Die. Why Mine?
October 5, 2018
On this show Dr. Gloria and Dr. Heidi Horsley discuss with Alison Jacobson CEO/Executive Director of First Candle and Nicole Alston Founder and President of Ok2Grieve how they have dealt with the personal tragedy of infant loss, and gone on to find happiness and success. The show closes with bereaved parent and singer, songwriter Denise […]
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Episode 136: Healing after School Shootings and Military Deaths
June 28, 2018
On this show Dr. Gloria and Dr. Heidi Horsley discuss with Mitch Carmody and Katherine Castelo the needs of families and communities after a sudden death. Gloria, Heidi and Mitch share their experience of participation in a day of healing for the Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School community and Katherine discusses her work with TAPS, […]
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Episode 128: Coping with the High Profile Death of a Child
April 10, 2018
On this show Dr. Gloria Horsley and Dr. Heidi Horsley will interview Jamie Bright and Delain Johnson, about coping with the high profile death of a child, and how they coped. Danielle was murdered by her boyfriend. Delain is Vice President of Bereaved Parents USA, and a licensed counselor, specializing in grief and loss. Her […]
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Episode 122: How Two Mother’s Survived the Murder of Their Son’s
February 25, 2018
On this show Dr. Heidi Horsley and Alan Pedersen talk with Mary Jane Cronin and Dr. Sue Hamby, about the murders of their son’s, Jeremy and Ross, and how they survived their shocking loss, going on to author books, share their stories and provide counseling and comfort to others. The show closes with singer, songwriter, […]
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Episode 119: Building Resilience After Parent Loss
January 8, 2018
On this show Dr. Gloria and Dr. Heidi Horsley discuss adult parent loss with writer Allison Gilbert. Allison Gilberts books include, Passed and Present: Keeping Memories of Loved Ones Alive, Parentless Parents, and Always Too Soon. The show closes with Anna Huckabee Tull, Master Life Coach and award-winning Singer-Songwriter singing a song celebrating the foundational […]
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Episode 108 :Supporting Suicide Survivors with Marilyn Koenig and Dr. Patrick Arbore
August 3, 2017
On this show Dr. Gloria and Dr. Heidi Horsley interview Marilyn Koenig bereaved parent, co-founder and Executive Director of Friends for Survival and Dr. Patrick Arbore founder of The Friendship Line regarding their work in prevention and support of suicide survivors. A video is shown of The Friendship Line. Alan Pedersen Executive Director of The […]
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Episode 96: Grief Healing: Twelve Steps with Richard Wood and Nisha Zenoff
December 23, 2016
Having a son killed in a fall is a traumatic experience. On this show Dr. Gloria and Dr. Heidi Horsley and Alan Pedersen discuss with Richard Wood of The Compassionate Friends and Nisha Zenoff their journeys through grief to again finding hope. Nisha is the author of THE UNSPEAKABLE LOSS: How Do You Live After […]
