FINDING HUMOR IN GRIEF, by Dr.
Ruth L. Baskerville (coming soon)
EXCERPT
“Because
my husband and I were heavy for years before he died, I pledged to lose weight
for both of us. I joined a gym, where I was the oldest and biggest person in
the Total Body Workout class. My fourth day of exercise in three decades would
have been horrifying, if I had not passed the age of being horrified. We were
standing on the stepper, and the order was given to grab the right ankle and
pull the right leg back until our sneaker touched our butt. At the same time,
we were to extend the opposing arm and lean forward slightly.
I
lacked the balance to even remain on the stepper, but I was determined to keep
trying to do the task. I grabbed the little ankle sock that peeked out from the
sneaker, figuring that if I could pull the sock behind me, the foot would
follow.
My
exercise Instructor Felix appeared in front of me, shouting, “Give me more!”
Much like the release of a rock from a slingshot, the sock gave way, I lost my
grip and my balance, and fell into the arms of Felix – literally!! His body
broke my inevitable fall, nose first, onto the front of the stepper. Only
because he had such upper body strength and balance did we not both hit the gym
floor with me on top of him.
Every
person in the class held their poised, balanced positions while staring at
their instructor and infamous classmate. Felix composed himself and moved away
from me without a word. Sure my face was red, but the upside was likely that
Felix would never again stand close to me saying, “Give me more!” I believe I
gave him ALL.”
FINDING
HUMOR IN GRIEF will be available
in time for the holidays, at a cost of $14.95. It appeals to those grieving,
like me, and to those who want to comfort persons who’ve lost loved ones. When
we find the humor in grief, no matter how fleeting, we replace a moment of
sadness with laughter, usually at ourselves! It’s the best therapy on the road
to healing our broken hearts.
For more information, contact Dr. Ruth L.
Baskerville at 407-656-1092, or wrbaskerville@aol.com, or www.facebook.com/ruth.baskerville.3.
Dr. Ruth, thanks for sharing a bit of your grief & laughter in the pages of your soon to be published book. Although I've not experienced losing a spouse 1st hand, the moment I read your book title, I knew who I'd purchase two copies for. Thanks for having the courage to humorously go through the grief process. I suspect that it will lighten the burden of millions that have dealt with or are attempting to deal with such a profound loss. May God continue to bless and keep you all the days of your life.
ReplyDelete~Signed,
IHLNL