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  1. Christian Health & Wellbeing/
  2. Death, Suffering and Consolation

Dancing When the Lights Go Out

  • Paperback
  • Publisher: Malcolm Down Publishing
  • 14 x 21.6 x 1.2 cm

£10.57

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"Dancing When the Lights Go Out" by Roger Greene is an emotional and profound exploration of grief, loss, and the societal taboo surrounding these experiences.

When Roger's wife passed away from a cocktail of COVID-19 and a rare form of dementia during the height of the 2020 pandemic, his world shattered. Grief consumed him, leaving him emotionally wrecked and questioning the cultural norms in both church and wider society that surround loss. Through his journey, he unveils the stark reality that our society shies away from discussing grief and loss, leaving many ill-prepared to cope with the profound impact of such experiences.

The book delves into what it means to be human, spiritual, and practical in the face of devastating loss. Roger's Christian perspective adds depth as he intertwines personal narratives with insightful discussions on spirituality, culture, and the complexities of navigating the health and care system during times of bereavement.

In addressing our simple humanity, the book explores the normalisation of loss as an inevitable part of life, offering guidance on navigating the storms of emotions and finding hope amidst the despair. Regarding our spirituality, it offers a Christian lens on grief, emphasizing the profound influence spirituality holds within our culture. Finally it is a practical guide through the bewildering labyrinth of our health and care system, providing invaluable assistance for those grappling with loss.

At its core, this book unveils the heart-wrenching journey Roger and his family endured as his wife died in a locked-down dementia care facility, isolated from loved ones during her final moments of life. However, beyond the personal narrative, Roger's aim is clear: to break the silence around grief and loss, equipping individuals and the Church to engage meaningfully in a world where pain is prevalent yet often unspoken and untreated.

"Dancing When the Lights Go Out" is a call to action, urging society to embrace conversations about grief and loss, to foster empathy, understanding, and genuine support. It's a beacon of hope, aiming to transform our approach to grief and, ultimately, to enable a more compassionate and meaningful existence in a world often shrouded in pain.

Dancing When the Lights Go Out and Ministry Of Paul The Apostle
Ministry Of Paul The ApostleDancing When the Lights Go Out
  • Author

    Roger Greene

  • Book Format

    Paperback / softback

  • Publisher

    Malcolm Down Publishing

  • Published

    May 2024

  • Weight

    280g

  • Dimensions

    14 x 21.6 x 1.2 cm

  • ISBN

    9781915046833

  • ISBN-10

    1915046831

  • Eden Code

    6499905

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  • VC

    Vicki Cottingham

    Average rating of3.0

    When I heard this was a book about grief and loss I was interested in reading it, because right now I am in a season of grief and loss. I am grieving for my Dad who is now in a nursing home and who is no longer the man he once was, and I am grieving the loss of my Mum to Alzheimer’s. Both are still present in my life but not as they once were. Personally, I find it helps me when I read about people who have gone or are going through a similar experience, and also what helped them during the grieving process. In his Introduction, Roger Greene writes: “God designed us human beings to live a mysterious dance of body, spirit and soul. This story is about the whole of our beings, our minds, emotions, thoughts and the choices we make, as well as the mysterious and intangible stuff we call faith.” In his book, Roger writes about losing his wife through dementia and COVID-19. He shares about his and his family’s experiences. Roger’s wife became ill with a type of dementia which was not treatable. She was just sixty-one at the time. I found it helpful to read about the emotions he experienced on the way, such as guilt at putting her into a nursing home without her knowledge and consent. Having recently had to do the same for my dad it was helpful to know that there are others who experience the same kinds of emotions I am going through. In one chapter, Roger shares with us five myths of grieving, for example, ‘Caring for ourselves is selfish’. For the one experiencing loss and grief these myths are worth being aware of. They are also good for us to know so we can support friends and family who may be grieving too. As well as sharing about his own journey through loss, Roger provides guidance on the legal and financial aspects of caring with someone who is no longer able to care for themselves and do not have the mental capacity to understand what is best for them. For those who feel at a loss to know what to do when it comes to these matters then this chapter is an important one for you. In Chapter 12 Roger writes about, ‘Beyond the Loss’ Roger talks about the things which help you to keep going such as being kind to yourself and anticipating the anniversaries. The following chapter on ‘Coping with Loss – Looking After Me’ follows on nicely. Towards the end of his book, Roger gives some advice on how we can help others who are experiencing loss and are grieving. Generally we want to help people and support them, but we don’t always know what is the best thing to do or say, so this chapter helps with this. As I read his book, I really appreciated Roger’s honesty and vulnerability in sharing from his own experiences. He also includes what he has learned from others, such as from psychologists and he does refer to Bible truth and the work of the Holy Spirit. But for me, I have to say that it was hearing his story which made the book most interesting and helpful. Everyone’s grief is different and we will experience it in different ways, however, grief is universal and it can be something which connects us and makes us feel less alone. I have concentrated on large part in this review on what I found good and helpful. However, there were several times when I found it repetitive which I personally find frustrating when reading any book. Also, one of the reasons for me to read a book is the cover of the book. I have to say, I was not taken by the cover – it was very dark and I had difficulty understanding what I was seeing because it was so dark. The cover did not draw me to the book, but the blurb did.

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