Dear Writer,

We are looking for short articles for a new book to be titled, MEDITATIONS FOR THE BEREAVED. Whereas our previous books have dealt with a single kinship, like the death of a spouse or a child, this book will cover many relationships. We specifically want to include articles on the death of a parent, grandparent, sibling, favorite aunt or uncle, best friend, fiancée, teacher, or student, as well as the death of a spouse or child. In addition, we will consider other relationships such as a foster parent, mentor, or coach, as long as the relationship was a significant one. WHATEVER THE RELATIONSHIP, THE ARTICLE MUST BE WRITTEN IN THE FIRST PERSON, AND THE STORY SHARED MUST HAVE ACTUALLY HAPPENED.  

When a loved one dies, it is natural to ask difficult faith-related questions and to wonder where God is when the pain is so intense you think it will never go away. A loved one's death also creates new problems to be dealt with as we learn to live without that person's physical presence in our lives. When grieving is intense, problems that stem from the loss can seem like insurmountable obstacles.

The purpose of this book is to share the faith-related lessons we have learned that have helped us come to grips with our grief and assisted us in leading happy, fulfilling lives again. We are particularly interested in the following:

1.  Faith-related insights related to the subject of death and your grief.   Click Here to See:  I've Got Him!

2.  Ways your faith was strengthened by your search for answers to the tough questions surrounding the death of your loved one.  Click Here to See: A Little Private Book

3.  Examples of how God has sustained you, spoken to you, perhaps caused some friend to come to your assistance, or in some other way been present for you or revealed to you during this tough time.  Click Here to See: The Day the Clouds Parted

4.  A description of how you dealt with a specific problem related to the death and how God helped you with that process, or how your faith was strengthened by it.  Click Here to See: That's Not Bread; That's Cake!

A sample of each of these from our previous books can be found by clicking on the links above to give you a better idea of what we are looking for, as well as a sample of our style. You will find an additional sample by viewing the web pages for each of the books.  

Please read the guidelines carefully before writing for us. CLICK THE GREY BUTTON BELOW TO SEE THE GUIDELINES.

WHATEVER YOU CHOOSE TO WRITE ABOUT, THE IMPORTANT THING TO REMEMBER IS THAT WE ARE NOT INTERESTED IN MATERIAL THAT TELLS OTHERS HOW THEY SHOULD FEEL OR WHAT THEY SHOULD DO, WHAT WE WANT IS MATERIAL THAT SAYS, "THIS IS WHAT HELPED ME; MAYBE IT WILL HELP YOU TOO."

Sharing these emotions in writing can be painful, but it can also be very healing.  We hope it will be a positive force in your life. Thank you for responding to this challenge and good luck. I'm looking forward to hearing from you.

Sincerely,

Judy Osgood
Executive Editor  

GUIDELINES  -  MEDITATIONS FOR THE BEREAVED

FOLLOWING A NEW ROAD

I had to acknowledge and accept the fact that I would always be lonely before I could handle my loneliness. That there would never again be a glance across the room holding within it remembered fun, shared joys or sorrows, or understanding of the present moment that went beyond words. That there would be no arm across my shoulder promising support, comfort, or tenderness. Only then could I realize it was my responsibility to develop and grow, or retreat and wither.

My choice was to reach out, and when I did I found friends at church, at a senior center, and in my apartment complex. Yet after fifteen years of widowhood, when I am full of the need to talk of my day, I still experience acute loneliness when I open my door and only silence meets me. It is then that I telephone a friend to find they are as much in need to share their day as I. We make plans to meet or talk again and I put this on my calendar. A calendar gives purpose to a day.

I felt recurring loneliness when I stretched out a cold foot in bed and there was no warm foot to meet it. So I bought an electric blanket and its cozy warmth insures sleep most nights. But, if I do wake up, I reach for pad and pencil and list all the things I should do. Then I list what I'd like to do. New ideas often challenge me in the morning.

One scrawl said, "Do something you've never done." Searching for that "something," I looked at the typewriter on which I had hunted and pecked for years. Then I bought Touch Typing In Ten Easy Lessons. Well, maybe, but I'm better than I was four months ago! Another time I took pencil drawing at a senior center and looked at the world from a different perspective. That gave me new self-confidence!

Time alone threatens, so I turn to books. Books to laugh with when I eat my solitary meals. Books to grow with in discovering new worlds. Mysteries for suspense and certainty of solutions. Books to argue with. Old friends re-discovered on my own shelves. Books for spiritual food.

Thus I fill my days with possibilities and give thanks to God who has led me to them.

Dear God, help me to keep growing and to reach out and discover anew the wonders in this life you are giving to me.

                                                                                         Betty Kelly

P.O. Box 3399, Sunriver, OR 97707 USA
Phone/FAX (541) 593-8418
email: gilgal@gilgal.com