Alzheimer's can be a severe test of faith. Today, I am honored to have Edward Grinnan, Editor-in-Chief of Guideposts Publications and author of "A Journey of Faith," as our special guest. Edward not only shares the emotional journey of watching his mother fade away through Alzheimer's but also the devastating loss of his wife to suicide.
Edward Grinnan is a man who has endured incredible hardship, buoyed by his deep and abiding faith. Discover how he navigated through grief and found strength in faith. In this episode, you'll learn about:
👉 Edward's profoundly moving memoir on his mother's Alzheimer's journey
👉 How faith played an essential role in Edward’s life during the darkest times
👉 Coping strategies and lessons on dealing with Alzheimer's and suicide loss
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00:00 Introduction to Grief 2 Growth
00:30 🎙️ Brian Smith introduces himself as the host of the Grief to Growth podcast, sharing his personal experience with grief after the loss of his daughter Shayna at the age of 15.
03:02 📖 Guideposts magazine is a publication that features personal stories of faith in action, often from everyday people sharing their experiences of overcoming challenges and finding hope.
06:21 🍻 Brian Smith discusses his struggle with alcoholism and how he found hope and purpose in his work at Guideposts magazine, which ultimately helped him overcome his addiction.
09:12 💔 Edward Grinnan shares his personal experience of his mother's Alzheimer's disease, emphasizing the gradual loss of memories and the enduring presence of love and faith.
17:59 🌱 Both Brian Smith and Edward Grinnan discuss how challenges and struggles in life can lead to personal growth and spiritual development, highlighting the importance of facing adversity with resilience and hope.
22:53 💔 Grief is a universal feeling deeply connected to the human condition. It can be selfish at times, as it often revolves around one's own emotions and experiences.
25:49 🙏 While going through challenges like caring for a loved one with dementia, being in the present moment becomes crucial. Alzheimer's patients may have conversations with nonexistent people, and it's essential to empathize and support them in their journey.
27:46 🌟 When dealing with grief, it's important to acknowledge that your loved one may have transitioned to a better place, and holding onto them in grief can prevent their spiritual journey from progressing.
35:04 💞 Grief is a form of love, and it's the price we pay for the deep connections we have with others. Memories of loved ones can transition from being painful to cherished over time.
42:45 😔 The experience of losing a loved one to suicide can be incredibly challenging, and it may take time to process and heal from such a loss. Grieving in such situations is a complex and ongoing journey.
44:03 😔 Brian's sister cut him off when he tried to be cheerful after his brother's mysterious death, which he carried as shame for years.
45:00 🤔 Edward Grinnan struggled to accept his wife Julie's suicide but recognized her decision stemmed from immense suffering, not to hurt him.
46:51 🗞️ Edward chose to share the truth about Julie's suicide in her obituary to help others who might be struggling with similar situations.
49:39 💔 Brian shared his experience of feeling guilt and sadness when passing by a place associated with his daughter but eventually finding solace in the memories.
53:31 ❤️ Edward highlighted the importance of love and its irrational nature in human lives, emphasizing its role in navigating grief.
01:05:42 🙏 Dr. Peale emphasized that God loves us and believed that drawing on God's love could help us overcome challenges and darkness in life.
01:06:39 🌗 The duality of light and darkness in the world and within ourselves is a fundamental aspect of human existence that we must accept.
01:07:39 💪 We have a choice in how we respond to challenges, and seeking growth and positive outcomes in difficult situations is important.
01:08:38 🌱 Overcoming suffering and challenges can lead to unexpected personal growth, and hope can serve as a guidepost during difficult times.
01:10:11 🧠 Edward Grinnan's book explores his journey of faith and his quest to understand the possibility of Alzheimer's, offering insights into his personal experiences and challenges.
