Author Archives: Hannah Harris (Blog Writer, SevenPonds)

Book Review: “Life of Pi” by Yann Martel

A fictional character takes a fantastical journey to deal with loss

Everyone confronts grief differently. We all, consciously or unconsciously, create ways to cope and continue living as we deal with loss. Usually this involves some mixture of employing defense mechanisms, taking solace in escape and eliciting help and comfort from … Continue reading

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“Griefprints” by Radha Stern

In a book about death and grief, Stern explains that "Grief is like fingerprints; everyone grieves in their own way" as they deal with death

Griefprints, by Radha Stern, describes itself as “A Practical Guide for Supporting a Grieving Person.” The author gives advice from a very personal place. She, in her own words, is “no stranger to grief,” having lost her “mother, all four grandparents, … Continue reading

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The Queen and King of the Greek Underworld

A look at Persephone, Hades and the kingdom of the dead

The Greek underworld, a land tucked inside the earth, is a kingdom reserved strictly for the dead. It is a place painted vividly in mythology, furnished with complex geography (namely its surrounding rivers) and presided over by Hades. Hades’ reputation in the Greek … Continue reading

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An Enduring Image of Death: Christ on the Cross

Why Jesus Christ on the cross remains one of the most powerful, ubiquitous images of death

Arguably the single most recognizable image of a death is that of Christ on the cross. The range of ways in which Christ’s death has been depicted is vast; styles vary from realistic and literal to abstract and imagined, taking shape … Continue reading

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“Sam Stone” by John Prine

A memorial song vividly depicts life after war and the pain of loss to addiction

John Prine has dedicated most of his life to creating and sharing emotional and narrative-driven music. He is acclaimed as a songwriter and his versatility in subject matter ranges from immensely funny, to heart-wrenchingly sad. NPR has described him as having … Continue reading

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What is Art Therapy? An Interview with Constance Hunt

The relationship between art therapy and end-of-life care at the AgeSong Institute

Constance Hunt is an art therapist working at the AgeSong Institute, located in San Francisco, CA. AgeSong is an eldercare facility committed to shifting the typical perspective on aging by bringing greater acceptance and respect to end-of-life care. In her … Continue reading

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