"This book is a hope-filled journey about how to overcome great personal adversity to live a life that is rich and fulfilling. The book begins with Merrylyn's own journey through grief and loss: Her attitude of calm fortitude is distilled in every sentence, and is an inspiring guide.
Merrylyn passes on her rich wisdom to the reader to apply the lessons to themselves, yet her account is much more than her personal story. As a highly experienced social scientist and researcher, Merrylyn shares deep insights into what people can do to overcome loss and sadness in their lives and replace them with hope and acceptance. The power to author the next part of our lives using these insights is a wonderful gift.
- Dr Karen Morley. Executive Coach, Author, & Speaker
Merrylyn has given us a gift by sharing such a personal story with immense honesty. It is shared with us to offer hope and a way forward when confronted with seemingly unbearable grief. It is easy and challenging to read all at the same time as we recognise the unthinkable pain of the loss of her only son and only biological grandson. Merrylyn emphasises the importance of relationship with yourself and others as you grieve and provides thoughtful strategies about how to achieve this.
This is a book I would recommend to anyone struggling with loss and grief. It can be read as a whole but I am sure readers will also keep coming back to specific chapters to familiarise themselves again with the helpful and compassionate guidance Merrylyn provides along the way.
- Dr. Prue McEvoy, Child and Adolescent Psychiatrist: Lead Psychiatric Director; Department of Child Protection Adelaide
This is the most glorious celebration of self-determination and work and resilience and love. Profoundly sorrowful. Absolutely loving and positive. Thank you for writing this. Just extraordinary. You are a wonderful writer. I love it. I'm honoured to have read your book.
Vanessa Lindsay Barrister
A book of you Merry. Of cruel loss and reflective, insightful hope and recovery. Brave and so much more.
- Roslyn Herring. Good Friend and Great Mah Jong Leader and Participant/Organiser
A book told with compassion and understanding, from the perspective of a well-respected Child and Family Consultant. Merrylyn offers insight into the sensitive and heart-breaking topic of loss through the eyes of someone who has experienced the pain of grief herself. A positive book that holds the reader's hand while helping them find the way forward. I recommend it to anyone who is struggling with the death of a loved one or undergoing personal struggles associated with trauma and shock.
- Barbara Ivusic, Professional Editor - New Author Literary Services
Living, Grieving and Finding Acceptance is a story of resilience, acceptance and commitment in the face of repeated loss. It serves as a manual for the hard-fought journey from being overwhelmed by grief to finding a balance between honouring the need to grieve and the need to remain open to the many sources of love and gratitude that remain in the world. As such it should prove invaluable not just to those who have suffered loss but also to anyone that wishes to successfully navigate the uncertainties of the current age.
- Tarrant Cummins PhD (Psychology)