Transcending Loss
Understanding the Lifelong Impact of Loss and How to Make it Meaningful (Berkley Books, 1997)
Transcending Loss has helped thousands and thousands of grievers understand how to grieve and how to live with loss. Unlike other grief books that imply there is an “end” to the process, this book acknowledges and honors the lifelong process of integrating loss into life. It also shows how to channel pain into avenues that make meaning out of loss.
About Transcending Loss - Ashley gives an overview of the book and reflects on hers her experience in writing it in this 3 min YouTube video
Meet the Author! Transcending Loss: A discussion with Ashley Davis Bush (video on MCTV)
Coping with Grief: Exercises to Supplement Transcending Loss
From the Back Cover
Death doesn’t end the relationship, it simply forges a new type of relationship - one based not on physical presence but on memory, spirit, and love…
From the Introduction
“This is a book about death and grief, yes, but more important, it is a book about love and hope. I have learned from my experience and interviews with courageous people about pain, struggle, resiliency, and meaning. Their stories show that over time, you can learn to transcend even in spite of the pain. We all get broken by life sooner or later because loss is the price we pay for living and loving. But experience shows that we can become stronger at the broken places and find the opportunity in crisis. I hope this book will help you move beyond grief and will guide you on your journey through times of healing and transcendence.”
Testimonials:
“Dealing with a death in the family or in any part of the personal world is awful. There is no advice, no system, no secret to making it better. But now there is a book to make the grieving and the rest of the experience understandable. This is that book. It is a superbly researched and written guide through the tragedies none of us can avoid.” Jim Lehrer, PBS NewsHour with Jim Lehrer
“What a magnificent gift to those who are experiencing grief and to others seeking that depth of emotional understanding. Ashley Davis Prend will bring transcending inspiration and perceptive insights to many grieving hearts.” Rabbi Earl A. Grollman, D.D., author of Living When a Loved One Has Died
“Thank you, thank you, thank you! Thank you for writing a book that needed to be written. When my father died 15 years ago, there was hardly anything to read about mourning, much less incorporating loss into one’s life. Your book is so beautifully written – it is compassionate, for it acknowledges the complexity of grief without passing judgment. It offers guidance and insight in a truly digestible way – a way that all mourners can relate to no matter what stage of grief they are in while reading the book.”
“I just finished reading Transcending Loss while on a walking vacation with my wife. Your book provided great comfort to me, primarily because you clarified for me the welter of emotions I have experienced, and continue to experience, as a result of my daughter’s tragic death, and you enhanced my resolve to proceed on the SOAR path.”
“Transcending Loss is a wonderful book! As a nurse practitioner who has read many books on death and grieving, I find yours to be first rate. It is not only compassionate but it is practical and helpful and written “simply” – as in “excellently” in the manner of E. B White. You have and will help many people on their journey towards cherishing life after loss.”
“I can’t begin to tell you how your book has touched me. Where to start??? I first “admire” the way you blended scientific/psychological knowledge with spiritual knowledge….I wanted to thank you for writing your book and to add my accolades to the many others I am sure you have received saying what a true blessing the book is. I LOVED the analogy of the beat-up apple tree bearing the most fruit.”
“Your book is #1 among my Bereavement group. Thank you so much for writing such a healing book.”
“I would like to thank you for Transcending Loss. I found it to be exceptional in its insight, as compared to other books I have read on the subject. Your idea that grief isn’t an illness I can get over gave me an easier path to “transcendence.” You made me feel like it was acceptable to continue to grieve, even years after a death. Once again, thank you.”
“Thank you for the book Transcending Loss. Near Christmas of ’91 my daughter died. She was 5 days old. I pushed on, no therapy , no support groups, and became pregnant again soon after….Six years later my mind decided it was time to grieve…. Although the subject of your book was heavy, I enjoyed your writing style. I felt as if you were sitting at my kitchen table speaking to me. Your book helped me to understand my grief and myself. Transcending Loss made me realize that I wasn’t losing my mind.”
“I am very sad during this Christmas season, but I know this is appropriate, and that with time the pain will be less acute….The music of the season bring tears, but is so healing for me…I have thoroughly enjoyed your wonderful book, for it gives me hope for the future. I told my sister about it, and she and her husband both have read it. She has purchased five more copies to give to friends.”
“I began reading your book about ten months after the death of our beloved 23-month-old daughter…. The mystery and shock is still unbearable at times. Needless to say, our life as we knew it will never be the same…Transcending Loss is such a respectful book. Even the title affirms that this pain and even the ultimate task of balancing this pain and joy are a lifelong endeavor….Your book managed to combine “anecdotes of pain”, with information and research about grief. I found this combination enormously helpful and reassuring.”
“My partner of 36 years died of brain cancer….Ours was a love story for all time. I received as a Christmas gift a copy of your book, Transcending Loss. And I want to thank you for the tremendous help and comfort it has been to me as I continue to struggle through the grieving/healing process. Some days the pain is so great that I feel I will never be whole again. So, on these bad days, I return to your book to reread significant (to me) portions which I have high-lighted, and this gives me strength….I felt compelled to tell you what a marvelous book you have written. I hope it has been, and will be, as helpful to others as it has been to me.”
“I wanted to contact you to let you know that I just recently discovered your book, Transcending Loss. My only regret is that I didn’t find it sooner! However, timing is everything and I have it now”
“Each of us grieves in our own way – I find solace in reading Transcending Loss, a beautifully written and comforting book.”
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