Debbie Bradford’s book Finding Joy On Your Journey Through Grief is a simplistic approach to dealing with the death of a loved one.
“You do not want a novel while grieving,” said Bradford, whose book is packed with inspirational quotes and advice to get you through every step of the grieving process. “It's okay to have 'Eeyore' days, but you have got to be able to pick yourself up and be Tigger again."
The last portion of the book is a guide to planning the funeral and dealing with financial and personal matters to come.
Bradford, a native of Thomaston, GA, met her husband Roger while attending Auburn University. After graduating, they married and moved back to Muscle Shoals, Roger’s hometown. They have two sons, Davis and Ben, and a daughter-in-law, Olivia.
After the death of her father five years ago, Bradford’s mother received several books. Bradford thought it would be a good idea to create a book of her own. After her father's death, she began writing thoughts down on paper, and about a year later she got the idea to actually write a book.
Bradford wanted to be completely involved in the publishing process, so she decided to self-publish her book. The book was first published in 2014, but in 2015 she made minor changes and republished it.
Just like her job with Good Samaritan Hospice, Bradford believes that God made the book happen just when she and others needed it.
“I quit my job, my previous job, to focus on the book, and when I was ready God dropped this job in my lap,” Bradford said.
She had never thought about working for hospice, although she had spoken at grief seminars. She also feels as though her book goes hand-in-hand with Good Samaritan Hospice. She even gives a free book to each health center she visits after they talk about grief and the hospice program.
“It is important for everyone to know about and understand hospice,” Bradford said.
Through her own journey through grief and her work with hospice, Bradford has learned that death is inevitable, but it is not bad. The goal of hospice is to give both the patient and families an easier and more comfortable transition into the next phase of life.
Bradford enjoys the work she does for hospice and the wisdom and stories she hears from people she meets.
For more information on Good Samaritan Hospice, call 256-314-2544.To purchase Finding Joy On Your Journey Through Griefvisit The Rock bookstore in Sheffield, Cold Water Books in Tuscumbia, or email Bradford at dbellbradford@gmail.com.
