Book Review: What Loss Can Teach Us

This past semester, I had the incredible privilege of taking a class entitled “What Loss Can Teach Us” at the seminary I attend. I wasn’t entirely sure what to expect, but I was fairly certain it would be an awesome class.

I was absolutely correct.

The professor also happened to be an expert on loss, healthy human sexuality, and more, wrapped up in her role as a therapist and educator. Every project we did, every class we experienced, everything from the overall “task” of the semester was a moving part that brought each of us closer to embracing loss in all forms and living out a healthier practice in that space.

The book of the same name, written by the professor, Beth Taulman Miller, was our main textbook, though we had many additional resources. For our purposes here, I will just discuss the book, though.

First off, I have to express to you that Beth knows what she’s talking about. The book is laced with stories from her personal experiences and those as a therapist, dealing with these deep, emotionally challenging topics of loss, death, and suffering. The stories are crisp, moving, and interconnecting in a way that readers can relate and dig deep if they’re willing to do the work.

The writing is also incredibly accessible, making the process easier and safer emotionally. The exercises, in particular, are helpful and productive. Some of my favorite exercises that helped me move forward in my own loss journey were creating Grieving Playlists (which I have used many times since), creating sacred space for grief, and yoga for loss/grief. We used this fantastic video from Yoga with Adriene in the class, though, of course, there are many other options to pair with the practice.

If you are in a space where you need to process losses – from loved ones passing to job changes or nostalgia that hurts – this book is a powerful tool to help you make it through the journey with grace. I highly recommend doing each exercise in the book but giving yourself as much space and time as needed to work through them.

It’s a painful journey – I discovered many losses I hadn’t begun to process yet – but I am grateful to have had Beth to walk me through it at this stage.

Need more great nonfiction? Check out our other reviews.

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Rita Mock-Pike

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Editor-in-Chief of The MockingOwl Roost, Rita Mock-Pike is the granddaughter of aviatrix, Jerrie Mock, first woman to pilot an airplane solo around the world. Rita has found inspiration from her grandmother’s life and flight and pursued many of her own dreams in theatre, podcasting, novel writing, and cooking up delicious food from around the world. She now writes on food, travel, pets, faith, and the arts. She’s happily married to Matt, and faithfully serves the very fluffy kitten queen, Lady Stardust.

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