Just about every American over the age of 17 can remember how they learned about the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001. The trauma is burned into our national consciousness like those over age 55 remember where they were when they learned President John F. Kennedy was shot.
The shock and grief generated by such unexpected traumas can linger on, even decades later. Families left without fathers and mothers, husbands and wives, friends and relatives, might feel that the topic of grief is taboo. Yet, even 12 years later, it is not too late to address grief issues.
Audrey Pellicano, R.N. M.S.
“Society doesn’t know how to deal with grief. Widows wear a mask to cover up their grief,” said Audrey Pellicano of Wise Widow and a certified grief recovery specialist. “When you’re a widow, you’re in a fog. You’re in a foreign country without a map.”
Audrey Pellicano, R.N., M.S., was widowed at the age of 37 with four young children. She joined host Gail Rubin on A Good Goodbye Radio on Wednesday, September 11 to discuss grief issues, especially grief for widows. Download the podcast.
Audrey Pellicano is a volunteer bereavement counselor in NYC in addition to having a private practice. She hosts “Grief Talk with Audrey” live every Tuesday at 3:00 p.m. ET on BlogTalkRadio.com. She hosted New York City’s first Death Café and now holds them monthly. Her website is WiseWidow.com.
Topics discussed include:
- Where she was and what she experienced on September 11, 2001
- The reactions of fellow New Yorkers in the weeks and months that followed
- How she became a widow and her grief recovery experience
- Why she works specifically with widows and women who have lost a parent
- Death Café events she runs in New York City
- Key steps to take toward personal grief recovery
A Good Goodbye is an entertaining and educational weekly 60-minute online radio show on “everything you need to know before you go.”
A Good Goodbye covers a wide range of critical information most people don’t consider until there’s a death in the family. By planning ahead and having a conversation, families can reduce stress at a time of grief, minimize family conflict, save money and create a meaningful, memorable “good goodbye.”
Host Gail Rubin brings a light touch to a serious subject and presents expert interviews on funeral planning issues with practical insights into the party no one wants to plan. She’s an engaging speaker, Certified Celebrant and author of the award-winning book A Good Goodbye: Funeral Planning for Those Who Don’t Plan to Die.