Hi Everyone

Can any of you guys reccommend a good book that i could give my niece to help her through the loss of her alcoholic father?

Her Dad (my brother) killed himself 10 days ago after an over-dose of booze and drugs. She is in her early 20`s with a young child of her own. She has lived with his drinking most of her life, although lots of these year she was living seperately from him as her mother and him are divorced. In the months before his death, they had formed a nice relationship, with him keen to be a good Grandad. She has always had to play second fiddle to her older brother who died when he was 18 through Muscular Distrophy. My nephews death deeply affected us all, especially my brother, his ex wife and my niece.

My niece took an over-dose herself when she was 15, poor girl.

I feel so helpless for her and don´t want to patronise her in any way. She´s had a really tough time in life and i wondered if there is a truly inspirational book out there for her.

I don´t think she has discovered Al-Anon, i am pretty new to it myself!

I hope you can help me with this, Thanks All.

Kiki,

 

Bless your heart.  I am sorry for your loss and think you are a wonderful aunt to want to make it better for your niece.  I don't know of any literature, but will keep my eyes open.

kiki, There's a very good book called "I Wasn't Ready to Say Goodbye". I can't recall who the author is, but I'm sure you could look it up on Amazon or your local library and find it. Also, there are grief support groups in many areas that may be an option for her too. Since this is your brother, you must be feeling the pain too, do you live close enough that you could attend together? IMO, books can be helpful and give us direction, but like everything else that is hard in life we must work through it in our own way. Thank God, I had a loving sister in law that forced me to get out and live life, and recognize that life did go on. I can honestly say she was the one person that helped me through. I desperately tried to isolate myself and she wouldn't have it. She's one of those Angels on earth :) I hope you both find a way to heal. Christy

Hi Kiki -

It's not conference approved, but when my beloved stepmom took her life in 1988, I read "when bad things happen to good people" - i can't remember the author's name (he may have been a rabbi), but it put a lot of things in perspective for me.  Urge her to check with local hospitals and churches for grief support groups - knowing you're not alone can make all the difference in the world.

She has my very best wishes and prayers, as i have been where she is.  Good luck to you all.

Allison

Thank you very much Powerless.

Have a good Christmas.

Thank you Christy.

Thanks for your advice, unfortunately, we live in different countries but i´m here for her at the end of a phone. Will check out the book. Thanks again and have a nice Christmas.

Hi ajt.

I will certainly follow your advice and encourage her to get some help with her grief. I know you must know where she´s at right now. Thank you. God bless you.