Table of Contents
Preface: by Shoshana Alexander
Chapter 1: The Journey Begins
Journal Exercises:
Beginning Your Journal
First reactions
About the Tool Kit for Your Journey to Healing
Chapter 2: Shock and Disbelief
Journal Exercises:
Telling Others
The First Day
Beginning the Conversation
Chapter 3: Disregarded Warnings
Journal Exercises:
Signs of Suicide
Contributing Factors
Last Contact
Remorse and Regret
Chapter 4: Unanswered Questions
Journal Exercises:
Creating a Place of Honor
Why?!
Attitudes about Suicide
Remembering Shared Pleasures
Meditation
Chapter 5: Delving Deeper
Journal Exercises:
Fear and Fearlessness
Depression as a Disease
Physical Pain
Treatment and Medication
Contributing Factors
Chapter 6: An Absence
Journal Exercises:
Your Loved Ones Place
The Means
Individual Ways of Grieving
Chapter 7: Farewells
Journal Exercises:
Suicide Notes
Continuing in Another Form
Words of Inspiration
Gathering to Say Farewell
Chapter 8: Getting Real
Journal Exercises:
Creating Dialogues
Talking about the Hard Stuff
Guilt and Remorse
Unfinished Business
Staying Connected
Chapter 9: Emotional Roller Coaster
Journal Exercises:
A Prayer for Your Loved One
Crying
Break in Belonging
Highs and Lows
Chapter 10: Trying to Understand
Journal Exercises:
Becoming Curious
Relationship with Animals and Pets
Grieving Around Strangers
Transforming Shame
Chapter 11: Gaining Perspective
Journal Exercises:
Depression and Reprieves
But Things Were Getting Better
Further Investigations
Chapter 12: Transitional States
Journal Exercises:
Being In-Between
Negative and Positive Influences
Their Soul’s Mission
After Death Beliefs
Peace. . . Be Still
Chapter 13: Revealing the Shadow
Journal Exercises:
Your Loved One’s Shadow
Gifts of the Shadow
Exploring Your Own Dark Side
Chapter 14: Gathering to Remember
Journal Exercises:
Remembering or Creating a Memorial
The Uncensored Eulogy
Chapter 15: Abandoned
Journal Exercises:
Reflecting on Dreams
Betrayal and Abandonment
Remembering through a Song or Poem
Chapter 16: Missing Pieces
Journal Exercises:
Relationships: Love and Challenge
Questions for Others
Finding Supportive Connection
Chapter 17: Tracking the Unraveling
Journal Exercises:
Life Review
Defining Moments
Qualities and Contributions
Chapter 18: Turning Point
Journal Exercises:
The Healing Story
The Power of Place
Gifts and Lessons
Turning toward Acceptance
Chapter 19: Discovering Inter-being
Journal Exercises:
Living on Inside You
Forgiveness
The Good-bye Letter
Epilogue: Saying Goodbye to My Buddy
Journal Exercises:
The Gift of Grieving Again
Recreating the Final Hours
Ongoing Conversation
Paying It Forward
Reclaiming Your Life
Appendices
1. Tool Kit for Your Journey to Healing PDF
2. Creating Support PDF
3. Clinical Theory Behind Unfinished Conversation’s Healing Process PDF
4. Resources for Survivors of Suicide PDF
5. Resources for Suicide Prevention PDF
6. Readings to Support Your Journey to Healing PDF