In 1992 I lost a favorite uncle, my father, and my mother in March, April, and July (respectively.) Nothing can prepare you for the death of a relative or close friend. Nothing.
Their loss is always with me, but so too is the deep and lasting effect they had on my life. Their strong affirmation, support, and great love are evident in every area of my life. I smirk like my dad, and I also think the best of everyone before I suspect them or bad intentions. He was the most endlessly positive person I have ever known. I strive to be a little more like him every day.
My mother was the most enthusiastic person I've ever met. Not goofy and mindlessly so (though she had her goofy side), but for my mom, life was a dance not a slow slog to the end. And, she was artistic in every corner of her being: musician, poet, playwright/director, artist, designer...
My uncle Paul was an artist, arts educator, and one of my biggest fans—right in line behind my parents. He encouraged my persuit of all things artistic and pushed me to try...everything. (I'm still working on the long list of "toys" in the artist suppply store.)
[Photo, above right, is a ceramic portrait, by Peter VandenBerge, of my uncle, Dr. Paul D. Beckman, on display in the Crocker Art Museum, Sacramento CA. Uncle Paul taught at "Sac State."]
Several times each week, I think of these three luminous presences in my life. Mostly it makes me smile and energizes me. Often it brings tears.
The greif over their loss never goes away, completely. But their grand support of me forms the stronger, more constant presence in my life
What to do with grief and loss? Feelings are a powerful reality in life. They should not be the only reason why we act. We have minds to give us perspective, and aid us in putting our strong emotions of the present into the fuller context of our lives.
Enter a grand new book that is as thorough, intelligent, and delightful an exploration of grief and loss as ANY book I have read. (When one loses both parents and an important unlce in a five month period, one reads a LOT of grief books.)
My friend, Susan Kennedy (a.k.a. the author, SARK), has just released her SIXTEENTH book and it may be her best. (Hard to say as she has addressed so many inportant issues, they are impossible to compare.) 
GALD NO MATTER WHAT
Transforming Loss and Change
Into Gift and Opportunity
I am still working my way, carefully through this thoroughly engrossing book. On a good day I am a slow, word-for-word reader. With a great book like GLAD... I take my time (often re-reading improtant passages.) As I have done with ALL of my friend Susan's books I am also making colorful anotations as I go along.
Like everyone of SARK's books, her valuable words are accompanied by her joyous art and offered up in her own colorful printing. The joy begins with Suasn right on the cover in glad celebration (at the laberynth at Lands End on the San Francisco Bay.)
I will post again with specific reactions to content. This is no sugar-coated, "get over it" psycho yada yada, it's real insights and guides to work you may yet need to do. Susan also shares several of her own persoanl loses—end of a relationship, death of a long-time pet, and her own parents deaths. Including the miracle of her mother's headstone in a military cemetary. For now, I want you all to know about the book and that she is NOW on a book tour. (Schedule HERE) Go see "SARK" and tell her "McNair sent me." More dates being added for 2010 & 2011. Sign up on the book tour page for FREE NEWSLETTER with tour updates.
All of Susan's book siginings are also mini-workshops on the subject of the book. As often as not she appears in delightful, independent bookstores and radient cafes. GO NOW, read Glad... and let me know which parts of these healing pages touch you most.
* Their are several pages listing numerous additional resources: books, websites, etc. Also, Susan invited several friends (some famous, some just really great, albeit not-yet legendary folks) to contribute their stories of loss and grief. I was honored to be asked and for my words to be included in this important book. You'll find me on page 217.
If you are new to this author you really do want to ask for books by "SARK." More than a nom de' plume, it is her name: Susan Aerial Rainbow Kennedy. And check out ANY of her other 15 books, listed HERE. See, too, her seminar/speaking schedule and other resources on www.PlantSARK.com—the most lively and colorful site on the world wide web.
