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No Time For Tears: Surviving Grief in America

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Grief is universal and unfortunately something we all experience in our lives at some point. No Time for Tears: Surviving Grief in America (by Judy Heath) is a MUST READ for a multitude of audiences. Often when a book is described as hard to categorize, that usually indicates a weakness, but for this book, it is just one of its countless strengths. Some may see this book as a self-help guide, others as a textbook for counselors/therapists in training, yet another as a resource for their mental health practice. As a college professor myself, I can tell you that I believe this book would be an incredible teaching instrument. It could serve as an ideal text for an upper-level course on bereavement, or a supplemental text in a more general survey course on counseling. It provides an in-depth analysis of a topic that is largely misunderstood even by those who have lived through it. The author has numerous years of experience as a psychotherapist that includes helping so many of those that suffered the losses of 911 when her practice was located in NY. She not only has the professional insight and knowledge necessary for a narrative on such a sensitive, important issue, but she bears the wisdom of her own loss. If you are a mental health practitioner, or an academic teaching those that will practice in the field of counseling, psychology, or social work, you will not regret adding this book to your arsenal of information on a complicated subject. However, to leave the description of this work at a textbook, or even a self-improvement manual, would discount the other wonderful elements of the book such as the powerful, poignant vignettes that offer meaningful, moving, real-life illustrations of the many ways one can struggle through grief, not to mention the inclusion of the original poetry, much of it by the author, that is clearly born of her own sorrow, trials, and eventual joy. As someone who continues to endure my own battle with grief, I can share with you that reading this book has comforted me, touched me, offered me understanding, and finally, hope. If you or someone you know has experienced a loss, this book will provide the company of others walking through the same darkness, a light at the end of the tunnel, some practical tools to help you navigate your own journey, and the feeling of a warm, consoling conversation during those moments when you have to face the pain alone.

I could not find any reviews of this author but I decided to take a chance and I am so very glad that I did. This is a very gentle and reassuring read for anyone trying to come to terms with the emotional pain of loss. Anyone who knows the grief from losing a loved one, or who is trying to support someone who has experienced such a loss will absolutely benefit from this book. Ms. Heath takes a very compassionate and insightful look at this process. This book will help you to understand that you're not alone and you will absolutely be able to enjoy life again. This book is an absolute blessing and a must read. Thank you Ms. Heath for helping me to cry, remember, understand and be able to enjoy life again.

I must first say that the subject matter of this wonderful book has something for everyone. All human beings will suffer loss at one time or another in their lives. There are lots of books about grief, but not all are created equal. When I lost my precious triplet son 13 years ago at the age of 6, I purchased several books about grieving in the hopes that maybe I could find some understanding or perhaps just some kinship with others. What I mostly found was what felt by me at least, to be some kind of expectation of how grief was supposed to play out. Like some regimented list that was supposed to follow in order, one that seemed foreign to me. I was turned away from seeking support from such books because my grief seemed so different, even dare I say, "out of order". After 13 years, I was ready to deal with my sad loss in a way I had not before in hopes of figuring out how to embrace some of the joys in my life even though it felt so foreign. It was only in picking up Judy's book all these years later that I was able to see this journey through eyes that seemed to understand me. As I read more and more, I realized that there was something for everyone, whether you've lost a child, a parent, spouse, a friend, or whether you are a professional who helps others through their grieving. Mostly, for me, I was so touched to read about Judy's own journey after losing her son many years ago, and her triumph in finding joy once again in her life. I was relieved to read her words which felt so authentic. As I read I couldn't help but cheer her on as her life began to find joy once she was open to letting it in. She made me see that although I have always felt that losing my son "jipped" me out of true joy for the rest of my life, that it is ok to let it back in and once you do, what a gift you give to yourself, and what a tribute it can be to your lost loved one. Please, do yourself a favor and buy this book and keep it close for whenever you may need it. You will be so happy you did!

AH HA!!! YES! The title of this book was perfect for me. In these days of "take this pill and you'll be all better" you need a book like No Time For Tears to understand that the pain is real, it's normal and feeling it is part of moving past it. One day the pain will be joy in the memories of what you had and how lucky you were to have it.

The other benefit of reading this book was that it gave me the tools to help someone other than myself in their time of need. It's hard to know what to say, but Ms. Heath helps guide you in those difficult times.

A must read whether or not you have recently experienced a loss.

No Time For Tears: Surviving Grief In America is truly the most helpful book I have ever read. I'm thankful to have received it after my 27 year old son died. The book has so many fundamental (yet thorough) concepts that if the book had been available years ago, I would have been able to better help myself, my family, my patients and their families (I'm a pediatric nurse for the last 33 years). The real life stories and experiences gratefully shared by many throughout this book really helped me to apply the teachings to my own life.

This book should be required reading for all including counselors, clergy, physicians, nurses and others who interact with people experiencing loss. The sections on how to help children of various ages work through their grief are so helpful for parents and teachers.

I only wish that this book was available on CDs or some type of audio format. At a time I needed it most, the chaos of my grief would only let me read a few pages at a time. I could have used my long commute time to listen and heal.

The resources listed at the end of the book are a wonderful addition to those who need more information and tools to help themselves and others.

Thanks to Judy for helping guide millions of us lost in our grief to make it through the fog. Suzanne

As a therapist, I see many patients dealing with grief. This book is a wonderful resource for both the patient and therapist. It is written in such an approachable and empathic way, and talks about aspects of grief that you don't find in many of the traditional therapeutic literature. It is a contemporary look at grief that is suitable for people going through it in the culture of today. I keep several copies in my office now, lending them out often. Thank you for taking the time to write this book.

Author, Judy Heath has written the best book yet on grieving the loss of a loved one in our society. As someone who has had multiple untimely deaths in my life, this book makes one realize that you are not alone or unique in your feelings and thoughts when you are grieving the passing of a loved one. I am so grateful to my therapist for recommending this book and I have given this book as well to many friends who all have greatly appreciated Judy Heath's knowledge, warmth and understanding on grief in America. As a recent college graduate with a major in sociology, I believe this book should be read by anyone majoring in the medical or social sciences fields as both professional and the general public can be helped, educated and healed while reading this book. Thank you Judy Heath for writing a much needed book on a subject that touches everyone sometime in their lives.

Jeanne

Judy has a unique perspective of putting into words what I could not, thus helping me to identify my thoughts and feelings about my son's suicide. Anger, resentment, sadness, isolation, are all part of 'going through' the grief process. I found it better to go through than tiptoe around, as that approach led to continued emotional distress and the inability to function. Emotional distress and inability to function are still in my life, but now I have Judy's book to balance myself on this beam that stretches out before me. My life is not as it was, plain and simple. However it is not what it can be. I must look ahead, and accept that "Life is the art of drawing without an eraser." (John W. Gardner, American government official, 1912 - 2002)

Judy Heath was looking into my soul when she wrote this book on grief. It has been 3 years since the sudden death of our daughter. When I picked her book up I could not put it down. It answered so many questions about my feelings and the grieving process. I would strongly recommend this book to anyone who has experienced the loss of a love one.

Judy Heath's book "No Time for Tears" is not a simpleton, self-help book with five easy steps to survive loss. Instead this eloquent writer marries the wisdom of her extensive theraphy practice, and the science of psychotherapy, with the rich narratives of her patients, who have something to teach us all about loss. She has a gift for breaking down the science, and her humble, nonjudmental voice gently guides the reader to find their own best path. Heath's book is filled with practical advice for those lost in the abyss of grief but also makes some important contributions that serve as a call to action to penetrate the way our society, workplaces, and family members currently conceptualize death and grieving. I have no doubt this book will be a guide to those in the throes of grief. But as a professor of communication studies, I also believe it is an important essay on death and loss that has the potential to teach many about this complex, nonlinear, and deeply personal experience.