Graduating Into December
On Wednesday, May 11, 2022 at 5pm, we hosted Becki Lund of La Dimora. Becky is a certified End of Life Doula and Elder Care Consultant.
The gathering, titled “Graduating into December” is an event about transitioning into the next phase of living. Talk about what the term “a good death” looks like for us all. Begin speaking about death in a more honorable, sacred way reflective of what it truly is.
Some questions to consider:
What comes to mind when you hear the words “death” and “dying”?
What would the elements of a positive dying experience look like to you or for your family?
Where would you like to be as you graduate into the next phase in your journey?
Becki will guide us through the difficult but important conversations.
Children’s Grief, Loss, & Trauma Resources
from VT Department of Libraries
“Books can be wonderful tools to use with children who have experienced trauma or loss. Reading (or being read to) and talking with adults can help them understand and cope with their feelings in a developmentally appropriate way. Reading also offers a great way to spend time with a child, reinforce a sense of normalcy and security, and connect with them, all of which are important to recovery from a traumatic experience.
The Vermont Department of Libraries (VTLIB), The Barre District of the Department for Children and Families, and UVM’s the Vermont Child Welfare Training Partnership (VTCWTP), created a path to healing and stability. The three agencies developed a book collection targeting grief, loss, and trauma for different age groups; 0-5, 6-12, and 12-18.” These books come as a set and are meant to be experienced together.
Ages 0-5
| Title | Author |
| Me and My Fear | Francesca Sanna |
| Still a Family: A Story about Homelessness | Brenda Reeves Sturgis |
| The Memory Box: A Book About Grief | Joanna Rowland |
| The Rabbit Listened | Cori Doerrfeld |
| Where do they go? | Julia Alvarez |
Ages 6-12
| Title | Author |
| Cry, Heart, But Never Break | Glenn Ringtved |
| Half a world Away | Cynthia Kadohata |
| Prairie Evers | Ellen Airgood |
| Sunny Side Up | Jennifer L Holm |
| Train I Ride | Paul Mosier |
Ages 13-18
| Title | Author |
| Hey Kiddo | Jarett Krosoczca |
| Orbiting Jupiter | Gary D. Schmidt |
| Prairie Evers | Ellen Airgood |
If you need access to these materials, let us know.
Death, grief, and dying resources at Orwell Free Library
For Children
Why did Grandpa die?: a book about death by Barbara Shook Hazen
Something Very Sad Happened: a Toddler’s Guid to Understanding Death by Bonnie Zucker (2016)
The Invisible String by Patrice Karst (2000)
Goodbye Sheepie by Robert Burleigh (2010) *pet death
Big Cat, Little Cat by Elisha Cooper (2017) *pet death
Older Children and Teens
When a Friend Dies: A Book for Teens About Grieving & Healing (1994)
You Are Not Along: Teens Talk About Life After the Loss of a Parent by Lynne Hughes (2005)
Death and Dying by Pete Sanders (1998)
For Parents
A Parent’s Guide to Raising Grieving Children: Rebuilding Your Family After the Death of a Loved One by Phyllis R. Silverman (2009)
For Adults
How To Go On Living When Someone You Love Dies by Theresa A. Rando (1991)
Death: the final stage of growth by Elisabeth Kubler-Ross
Finding Meaning: The Sixth Stage of Grief by David Kessler (2019)
In the Unlikely Event of a Water Landing : A Geography of Grief by Christopher Nol (1996)
Silent Grief by Clara Hinton (1997) *miscarriage
Memoirs
Growing, Older: A Chronicle of Death, Life, and Vegetables: by Joan Dye Gussow (2010)
Of Grief, Garlic, and Gratitude: Returing to Hope & Joy From a Shattered Life by Kris Francoeur (2018)
Further Reference:
The Best Care Possible: A Physician’s Quest to Transform Care Through the End of Life by Ira Byock (2012)