title: Gifts of Sisterhood: a journey on to your own
author:  Patricia L. Brooks 
description: <span></span><br /> <span>My sister Roberta died over twelve years ago from lung cancer.<span> </span>This event changes me every year, both emotionally and spiritually because I look at life with more mindfulness and give myself the freedom for new perspectives.<span> </span>During the years since her death I have become more in touch with my feelings.<span> </span>I forgive more quickly and I am more grateful.<span> </span>My faith has risen to a new level, and I am generally at peace with my life.<span> </span>The loss of my sister was not in vain but an opportunity for growth and to practice the gifts she gave so freely - the gifts presented here in this book.</span><br /> <span></span><br /> <span>God gave me a gift after her death too in a kind and loving husband.<span> </span>The kind of person my sister often imagined for me.<span> </span>I accepted this gift in her honor.<span> </span>To remember her courage gives me my life back, a life that floundered in disconnected relationships of the past.<span> </span>I found a true appreciation of forgiveness and gratitude as I passed through my grief.<span> </span></span><br /> <span></span><br /> <span>To look back on the six years of this book's journey is a joyful experience.<span> </span><span></span>The reality of how far I have come is apparent to me each day as I reflect on all the experiences. The opportunities with being an author, and the incredible people I meet who believe they are destined to read my story, is heartwarming.<span> </span>They help me heal even further.<span> </span>The support I receive from such organizations as the Arizona Lung Association, who promote my book and workshop in their Desert Pathways newsletter, is a testament to the theory a book has a mind of its own.<span> </span>To all of you I say thank you.</span><br /> <span></span><br /> <span>Looking back at this book published parallel to my path of grief I am amazed a work written to share my love for my sister speaks to so many about grief.<span> </span>My sister's been gone many years now, but the message remains the same. <span></span>Hold tight to those you love, and remember them always in your heart. </span><br /> <span></span><br /> <span>It's no longer the pain I had in the beginning, but an ache that is different.<span> </span>It will be a part of my life forever because it was a traumatic loss. Death of a loved one is one of the most difficult things any of us will face in life; we are forever changed by it.<span> </span>Being able to share my love for my sister and the pain of her loss in this book is incredibly healing.<span> </span>It allows me to come to terms with loss in a new phase of my life.<span> </span>A life that goes on with her still is always on my mind.</span><br /> <span></span><br /> <span>Knowing others in my grief support family are willing to listen to me and answer the questions I need to ask is helpful.<span> </span>They allow me to come back to me.<span> </span>I reciprocate in my heart and by listening to them.<span> </span>The Journey from Grief to Gratitude workshop (see appendix outline) done with this book, and in her memory, allows me to give back.<span> </span>Others in need of healing from grief respond and I am at my true center.</span><br /> <span></span><br /> <span>Because friends and family admit they do not have all the answers during years of sorrow, I choose to face grief courageously but cautiously when it appears. It is a process and one we each take at our own pace and in our own way.<span> </span>We have help available if we look for it along with others who travel the grief path.<span> </span>We can ask them to join us.<span> </span>I am a willing student on the subject and thus my <i>Journey from Grief to Gratitude </i>workshop continues to develop.<span> </span>It is my opportunity to share my story and be of service to those grieving.<span> </span>It's a vehicle for my own healing while my strengthened faith remains the greatest gift since this loss. My spiritual quest continues to be fed and I now know peace.</span><br /> <span></span><br /> <span>The honesty of the other authors I read who write on grief give me a new appreciation and enlightenment on the subject.<span> </span>I am more resilient as time heals wounds.<span> </span>Although the pain of the loss never completely goes away it does go to a different place and we can go on with our lives.<span> </span>It is with much gratitude for this knowledge I take my book to a new place too.</span><br /> <span></span><br /> <span>Many of my friends offer me reassurance, acceptance and caring.<span> </span>These gestures of kindness helped me to write, and later revise for this edition, a book that reveals uncovered depths of my emotional life.<span> </span>My workshop, with a goal of helping others in grief discover their new being, is a direct response to those who were my first readers.</span><br /> <span></span><br /> <span>Thank you to all the people who read my book, attend one of my workshops and offer feedback.<span> </span>Your open and honest sharing of your grief stories gives me even more understanding about my own loss.<span> </span>Your allowing me to share my feelings is cathartic and a big part of my journey home.</span><br /> <span></span><br /> <span>The journey from grief to gratitude can be long and very difficult at times, but it is also a path to forgiveness and joy if we are open to the people we meet along the way. <span></span>To care about ourselves and others is God's plan for all of us.<span> </span>Regardless of what challenges are in our path today, growth and awareness can be part of the journey.</span><br /> <span></span><br /> <span>We eventually realize we are not alone in our grief and that we all grieve in our own ways.<span> </span>Regardless of how raw we are in the beginning, we come to realize we have to talk about the death of our loved one to heal.<span> </span>This is how we gain independence from grief.<span> </span>Writing this book allowed me to talk it out.<span> </span>The journal pages and questions here should help you to talk it out too.</span><br /> <span></span><br /> <span>My sister is deep within my heart and soul today.<span> </span>I do very few things now where I don't ask myself what she would think or say about my decision.<span> </span>The enormity of anything is paled when we are side-by-side in our hearts with the one who has passed away.<span> </span>I keep <i>Gifts of Sisterhood</i> close to me for guidance.<span> </span>It was written for a reason.<span> </span>There was a plan for the book and it continues to unfold in a beautiful way.<span> </span>Now as an E-book it will be even more beautiful and useful.<span> </span>It's comforting to me to have her spirit in my life.<span> </span>She did not die in vain; she just moved me closer to God.</span><br /> <span></span><br /> <span></span>
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  [Dedication](index_split_003.html#filepos1453)
  
  This is the second of my “sister” books, and so I decided to dedicate it to my
  own sisters, both in blood and in spirit. Like Christina, I have only one real
  sister—Fran, and so this book is for her. It’s also for my very good friend,
  Ellen, my Jaunty Quills sisters, and my brainstorming partners, Anne Mallory,
  Robyn DeHart, and Shana Galen. My life is so much better with all of you in
  it.
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  Contents
  
  [Dedication](index_split_002.html#filepos694)
  
  [Chapter 1](index_split_004.html#filepos5415)
  
  [Chapter 2](index_split_005.html#filepos32861)
  
  [Chapter 3](index_split_006.html#filepos63163)
  
  [Chapter 4](index_split_007.html#filepos95830)
  
  [Chapter 5](index_split_008.html#filepos132159)
  
  [Chapter 6](index_split_009.html#filepos176772)
  
  [Chapter 7](index_split_010.html#filepos205795)
  
  [Chapter 8](index_split_011.html#filepos217179)
  
  [Chapt