Hello and Welcome To
All Things Death Dying Bereavement Grief
Not a day goes by that there is not something that affects our lives that also deals with death. I know most of us don’t like to think too much if at all on death dying bereavement and grief. There are so many more enjoyable things in life to think about. Yet what touches life also touches death at some point.
As a Thanatologist ( ‘thana’ comes from the Greek word ‘thanos’ and + ‘olgist’ which means a person that seriously studies something) I study and teach on the various subjects related to death, dying, bereavement and grief. Frankly it is not a topic that most people are just ‘dying’ to learn about (Pun accepted).
True, death related subjects (thanatological topics) are not always easy to deal with and certainly there are times for all of us that they are down right uncomfortable to consider. But death is a part of life and living.
However not all death, dying, bereavement and grief topics are depressing or even sad. Some of the most beautiful pieces of art (known as Thanostic Art) are the result of death and grief.
The photo that is attached to this blog is a tombstone foiling I did a number of years ago. The craft skill that went into the engraving of this stone back in the 18th century in New England is outstanding. It took considerable time and effort to create this piece of art. Today it stands silent as a tribute of love in a quite cemetery few visit. The desire of loved ones to ensure that their deceased significant other is remembered in a beautiful way is touching and so honoring.
This is just one example of what we will be looking at and sharing on a regular basis. Examples of thanostic expression are more than this blog or frankly any blog can ever document. But let's try. Please fel free to submit your favorites.
Of course all contributions are appreciated and will be screened as appropriate for publication. I’m open-minded but sensitivity decorum will be held at a high level also. This is intended as a serious and honorable thanostic related site, so please let’s keep it that way.
We will look at death from the historical and literary perspective as well as from current events, grief issues and dying and bereavement caregiving. Regularly I’ll offer commentary on articles and news events of the day as well as offer tidbits of knowledge and information that I have gathered over the years.
Please feel free to share your thoughts and wisdom. No one is without wisdom when it comes to death dying bereavement grief.
Often you may find that I will be referring to the NewDeath Group. No there is no such thing as ‘new death’ but there is a fantastic and highly interesting Yahoo Group called NewDeath Group Investigative Newsgroup called (http://tech.groups.yahoo.com/group/NewDeathGroup/) I strongly encourage you to check it out often. The members are well informed and diverse in their thanostic (death related) areas of interest, curiosity and specialization and above all a highly welcoming collection of friendly individuals.
A companion group to the NewDeath Group is the NewDeath Group Prose. This is where a lot of interesting thanostic literature such as death poetry, reflections and other death and bereavement related literature is shared. For those who enjoy and find it helpful to write about death related issues in a literary manner this is the site for you.
Please let me know your interests in these subject areas. The greatest fear that I have is that no one will read it. So please submit your questions, thoguths and ideas.
Oh by the way you will see four things about me in this blog which are:
1- Inclusivity of language (I only want to exclude exclusion in my language and life appreciation)
2- I will use frequently thanatological language / terms. Now after so many years it just comes so natural to me. I’ll do all I can to add definitions when appropriate. I’ll also in the near future start a glossary of terms if that is of some help. Feel free to add suggestions to the list as well as to remind me (gently) that I have not defined a thanostic term.
3- I love creativity, love of life, humor and respect of all of creation. So feel free to join in that creativity, humor (yes there is even thanostic humor) and of course always respectful. We may not always see eye to eye but please let us always see heart to heart.
4- I have severe dyslexia as well as busy being the Chief Thanatologist and Learning Officer of the TEAR Center (www.tearcenter.com) so upfront there may be times when the spelling will be shall we say ‘creative’ if not flat out incorrect. There will also be occasions when the grammar may not be 100% since I might not have time to triple check the proof-reading. Hey this is a blog not one of my published books! (Grin). So please look beyond any mistakes and appreciate the intention of sharing what I know with you.
In the meantime until our next visit together ~ Enjoy Life.! Doc T
Dr. Terrie Modesto
Chief Thanatologist and Learning Officer
TEAR Center
www.tearcenter.com
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