Dr. Charles Smith

When Loss Changes Life: a Study in Caring Dr. Charles Smith

When Loss Changes Life is written for individuals who experience loss. It differs from other books on the subject of caring as it affirms our need for people, and as things seldom remain the same for very long and everyone has the same range of experience that everyone can anticipate ties to emotionally significant persons to be severed in an experience of loss. Those who respond to God's call are challenged to create a vision of what it means to care, fashion a self-image through which to implement that vision, become acquainted with concepts of loss and grieving, and by sharing presence with those who experience loss infuse them with strength, courage, and support needed to make a new beginning. Those whose ties to emotionally significant persons are severed are challenged to grieve their loss thoroughly and completely, choose a positive attitude toward life, and refuse to place roadblocks in their path to adjustment and the restoration of balance to life. The Church is challenged to maintain God's ideal for marriage, enlarge its understanding of family, and prepare those who experience loss to enter marriage again if they choose to do so.