[Search for users] [Overall Top Noters] [List of all Conferences] [Download this site]

Conference quark::human_relations-v1

Title:What's all this fuss about 'sax and violins'?
Notice:Archived V1 - Current conference is QUARK::HUMAN_RELATIONS
Moderator:ELESYS::JASNIEWSKI
Created:Fri May 09 1986
Last Modified:Wed Jun 26 1996
Last Successful Update:Fri Jun 06 1997
Number of topics:1327
Total number of notes:28298

247.0. "Necessary Losses" by FLOWER::JASNIEWSKI () Tue Mar 17 1987 07:30

	So, has anyone read the book "Necessary Losses" by Judith Viorst?
I have a copy; an excerpt follows:

	"An 8 year old was asked to provide a philosophical commentary on
	loss. A man of few words, he answered "Losing sucks". At any age we 
	would surely agree that losing tends to be difficult and painful.
	Let us also consider the view that it is only through our losses
	that we become fully developed human beings."

	Who has experienced a necessary loss and can relate to it as part of
their personal growth? I'd really like to hear about it. Letting go is so hard;
tearful; "sucks" is a good description - even for a 30 year old. Boy, is it 
clear that *we* are responsible for how we feel!

	Joe Jas
T.RTitleUserPersonal
Name
DateLines
247.1A topic not easily addressedFDCV03::EDWARDSTue Mar 17 1987 10:4929
    RE: .1
    
    Yes, I have a hard copy and a paper copy of the book.  (The paper
    back only came out recently and is selling pretty well I hear).
    
    The hard copy I use as a reference book and the paper back I lend out
    to folks.  I haven't finished the entire book, but I read parts
    at a time and I really identify with the author's description of
    what a "necessary loss" feels like.
    
    Just last night I was re-reading the part about death and the grieving
    process.  The ways that other people describe what they feel as
    they grieve almost mirrors how I deal with my mother's death which
    was 4 years ago.  
    
    Other sections of the book I identify with include topics of growing
    up, family, friendships, and relationships, to name a few.  Losses,
    as I can see, are something we must go through in order to mature
    and become a better person.  I think the book does a great job of
    acknowledging them and comforting the individual dealing with the loss.
    
    I don't know how deep a discussion anyone wants to have on how much
    loss can affect someone in their lifetime.  If anyone wants to talk
    off-line, I'd be willing to participate.  I hope I gave enough plugs
    for the book because I truly appreciate having it around!
    
    Cheers, Christy