A Gift of Hope: How We Survive Our Tragedies
by Robert L. Veninga

When dealing with the pain of loss -- a death, an unwanted divorce, financial loss -- or other personal crisis, this book is a gentle and caring guide to how to find hope.

When trying to find words to express my own feelings and to reach out to others also grieving, this book has been of immense help.

I'm glad to see that it's back in print -- it was briefly unavailable. It's the most valuable book I've found for people who've lost a loved one, or are otherwise struggling with personal tragedy.

A mark of its effectiveness is this: on 9/11, when I was searching for how to think about the tragedy, and caught up in my own emotions, I went for this book.

Transitions, whether in our personal relationships, in our professional lives, or in communities and congregations, pass through predictable phases. We can learn to handle change -- whether for the good, or in grief and loss -- by understanding how we experience change.

Managing Transitions: Making the Most of Change
William Bridges / Paperback / Published 1991
A practical guide for making real-life transitions -- whether through a tragedy or loss, or even when the change is long-sought and great news.

Transitions
William Bridges / Paperback / Published 1980
This one -- Bridges' earlier book -- is a classic: the reconceptualizing of change into the three stages is very helpful, especially to those who find themselves confused and think they should be more focused.

The Way of Transition: Embracing Life's Most Difficult Moments
by William Bridges
When his own wife died, Bridges learned even more about making sense of transitions and learning how to move on and grow in the process.