No Time for Tears: Coping with Grief in a Busy World

Trying to understand the grief I was experiencing, I read Judy Heath's No Time For Tears. Each highlighted section, whether chapter, paragraph, sentence, or reference to something, elicited emotion and/or recognition within me, often strong and/or vivid. This thought-provoking book on grief and the process of grief has helped guide me through an exploration of the emotions that can be attached to or hijacked by grief. Grief and loss take many forms. Whether an individual's grief resulted from a recent loss, a past loss, or there is an obscure grief hiding deep within from long ago, I believe No Time For Tears to be an excellent source of reference to guide one on this journey to understanding and clarity in the grieving process.

Grief is universal and unfortunately something we all experience in our lives at some point. No Time for Tears: Surviving Grief in America (by Judy Heath) is a MUST READ for a multitude of audiences. Often when a book is described as hard to categorize, that usually indicates a weakness, but for this book, it is just one of its countless strengths. Some may see this book as a self-help guide, others as a textbook for counselors/therapists in training, yet another as a resource for their mental health practice. As a college professor myself, I can tell you that I believe this book would be an incredible teaching instrument. It could serve as an ideal text for an upper-level course on bereavement, or a supplemental text in a more general survey course on counseling. It provides an in-depth analysis of a topic that is largely misunderstood even by those who have lived through it. The author has numerous years of experience as a psychotherapist that includes helping so many of those that suffered the losses of 911 when her practice was located in NY. She not only has the professional insight and knowledge necessary for a narrative on such a sensitive, important issue, but she bears the wisdom of her own loss. If you are a mental health practitioner, or an academic teaching those that will practice in the field of counseling, psychology, or social work, you will not regret adding this book to your arsenal of information on a complicated subject. However, to leave the description of this work at a textbook, or even a self-improvement manual, would discount the other wonderful elements of the book such as the powerful, poignant vignettes that offer meaningful, moving, real-life illustrations of the many ways one can struggle through grief, not to mention the inclusion of the original poetry, much of it by the author, that is clearly born of her own sorrow, trials, and eventual joy. As someone who continues to endure my own battle with grief, I can share with you that reading this book has comforted me, touched me, offered me understanding, and finally, hope. If you or someone you know has experienced a loss, this book will provide the company of others walking through the same darkness, a light at the end of the tunnel, some practical tools to help you navigate your own journey, and the feeling of a warm, consoling conversation during those moments when you have to face the pain alone.

AH HA!!! YES! The title of this book was perfect for me. In these days of "take this pill and you'll be all better" you need a book like No Time For Tears to understand that the pain is real, it's normal and feeling it is part of moving past it. One day the pain will be joy in the memories of what you had and how lucky you were to have it. The other benefit of reading this book was that it gave me the tools to help someone other than myself in their time of need. It's hard to know what to say, but Ms. Heath helps guide you in those difficult times. A must read whether or not you have recently experienced a loss.

No Time For Tears: Surviving Grief In America is truly the most helpful book I have ever read. I'm thankful to have received it after my 27 year old son died. The book has so many fundamental (yet thorough) concepts that if the book had been available years ago, I would have been able to better help myself, my family, my patients and their families (I'm a pediatric nurse for the last 33 years). The real life stories and experiences gratefully shared by many throughout this book really helped me to apply the teachings to my own life. This book should be required reading for all including counselors, clergy, physicians, nurses and others who interact with people experiencing loss. The sections on how to help children of various ages work through their grief are so helpful for parents and teachers. I only wish that this book was available on CDs or some type of audio format. At a time I needed it most, the chaos of my grief would only let me read a few pages at a time. I could have used my long commute time to listen and heal. The resources listed at the end of the book are a wonderful addition to those who need more information and tools to help themselves and others. Thanks to Judy for helping guide millions of us lost in our grief to make it through the fog. Suzanne

As a therapist, I see many patients dealing with grief. This book is a wonderful resource for both the patient and therapist. It is written in such an approachable and empathic way, and talks about aspects of grief that you don't find in many of the traditional therapeutic literature. It is a contemporary look at grief that is suitable for people going through it in the culture of today. I keep several copies in my office now, lending them out often. Thank you for taking the time to write this book.

I found this book really helpful as I tried to cope with the emotions from a dear friend/mentor passing away unexpectedly. The author helps you understand and appreciate your grief, rather than be ashamed of it. She even dedicates specific chapters to advice for those who have lost a parent, child, coworker, etc. My only complaint is the author spends less time focused on tips for when you've lost a close friend (that might just be the shortest chapter!), but overall, I found this book very helpful.

I have bought several of Ms. Heath's book to distribute to those suffering loss. One especially went to a dear friend who had recently said goodbye to her husband. She reads it daily and finds great comfort and understanding. She also finds that by reading daily she does find subtle ways to go on. Together we have found that we can express our grief openly, and now know there are so many others that feel the same way when approached. Often we tend to hide these feelings so as not to make others uncomfortable. Ms. Heath lets us know, its ok to feel what you feel and express it. Through her own experiences, Judy Heath relates to all those who have had loss, as hers was so deep. Lossing her child, Jessie, had a profound effect on Judy's life. However, it seems by reading "No Time For Tears: Surviving Grief in America", we see that she not only gets it but can help others through her tragidy. There is a gentle thread of caring throughout this book that seems to help the reader release the fears held inside knowing that even the author has dealth with such a sadness. Judy Heath seems to be a person who unwittingly will pass on blessings, certainly my friend felt it.

Judy Heath's book "No Time for Tears" is not a simpleton, self-help book with five easy steps to survive loss. Instead this eloquent writer marries the wisdom of her extensive theraphy practice, and the science of psychotherapy, with the rich narratives of her patients, who have something to teach us all about loss. She has a gift for breaking down the science, and her humble, nonjudmental voice gently guides the reader to find their own best path. Heath's book is filled with practical advice for those lost in the abyss of grief but also makes some important contributions that serve as a call to action to penetrate the way our society, workplaces, and family members currently conceptualize death and grieving. I have no doubt this book will be a guide to those in the throes of grief. But as a professor of communication studies, I also believe it is an important essay on death and loss that has the potential to teach many about this complex, nonlinear, and deeply personal experience.

Judy has a unique perspective of putting into words what I could not, thus helping me to identify my thoughts and feelings about my son's suicide. Anger, resentment, sadness, isolation, are all part of 'going through' the grief process. I found it better to go through than tiptoe around, as that approach led to continued emotional distress and the inability to function. Emotional distress and inability to function are still in my life, but now I have Judy's book to balance myself on this beam that stretches out before me. My life is not as it was, plain and simple. However it is not what it can be. I must look ahead, and accept that "Life is the art of drawing without an eraser." (John W. Gardner, American government official, 1912 - 2002)

There are many different kinds of grief & also many different ways to deal with that grief. "No Time for Tears" has nuggets of wisdom & hope for everyone. If you need a gift for a graduate, a neighbor, a newlywed...ANYONE...."No Time for Tears" would be a welcome addition to their bookshelf.

Trying to understand the grief I was experiencing, I read Judy Heath's No Time For Tears. Each highlighted section, whether chapter, paragraph, sentence, or reference to something, elicited emotion and/or recognition within me, often strong and/or vivid. This thought-provoking book on grief and the process of grief has helped guide me through an exploration of the emotions that can be attached to or hijacked by grief. Grief and loss take many forms. Whether an individual's grief resulted from a recent loss, a past loss, or there is an obscure grief hiding deep within from long ago, I believe No Time For Tears to be an excellent source of reference to guide one on this journey to understanding and clarity in the grieving process.

Grief is universal and unfortunately something we all experience in our lives at some point. No Time for Tears: Surviving Grief in America (by Judy Heath) is a MUST READ for a multitude of audiences. Often when a book is described as hard to categorize, that usually indicates a weakness, but for this book, it is just one of its countless strengths. Some may see this book as a self-help guide, others as a textbook for counselors/therapists in training, yet another as a resource for their mental health practice. As a college professor myself, I can tell you that I believe this book would be an incredible teaching instrument. It could serve as an ideal text for an upper-level course on bereavement, or a supplemental text in a more general survey course on counseling. It provides an in-depth analysis of a topic that is largely misunderstood even by those who have lived through it. The author has numerous years of experience as a psychotherapist that includes helping so many of those that suffered the losses of 911 when her practice was located in NY. She not only has the professional insight and knowledge necessary for a narrative on such a sensitive, important issue, but she bears the wisdom of her own loss. If you are a mental health practitioner, or an academic teaching those that will practice in the field of counseling, psychology, or social work, you will not regret adding this book to your arsenal of information on a complicated subject. However, to leave the description of this work at a textbook, or even a self-improvement manual, would discount the other wonderful elements of the book such as the powerful, poignant vignettes that offer meaningful, moving, real-life illustrations of the many ways one can struggle through grief, not to mention the inclusion of the original poetry, much of it by the author, that is clearly born of her own sorrow, trials, and eventual joy. As someone who continues to endure my own battle with grief, I can share with you that reading this book has comforted me, touched me, offered me understanding, and finally, hope. If you or someone you know has experienced a loss, this book will provide the company of others walking through the same darkness, a light at the end of the tunnel, some practical tools to help you navigate your own journey, and the feeling of a warm, consoling conversation during those moments when you have to face the pain alone.

AH HA!!! YES! The title of this book was perfect for me. In these days of "take this pill and you'll be all better" you need a book like No Time For Tears to understand that the pain is real, it's normal and feeling it is part of moving past it. One day the pain will be joy in the memories of what you had and how lucky you were to have it. The other benefit of reading this book was that it gave me the tools to help someone other than myself in their time of need. It's hard to know what to say, but Ms. Heath helps guide you in those difficult times. A must read whether or not you have recently experienced a loss.

No Time For Tears: Surviving Grief In America is truly the most helpful book I have ever read. I'm thankful to have received it after my 27 year old son died. The book has so many fundamental (yet thorough) concepts that if the book had been available years ago, I would have been able to better help myself, my family, my patients and their families (I'm a pediatric nurse for the last 33 years). The real life stories and experiences gratefully shared by many throughout this book really helped me to apply the teachings to my own life. This book should be required reading for all including counselors, clergy, physicians, nurses and others who interact with people experiencing loss. The sections on how to help children of various ages work through their grief are so helpful for parents and teachers. I only wish that this book was available on CDs or some type of audio format. At a time I needed it most, the chaos of my grief would only let me read a few pages at a time. I could have used my long commute time to listen and heal. The resources listed at the end of the book are a wonderful addition to those who need more information and tools to help themselves and others. Thanks to Judy for helping guide millions of us lost in our grief to make it through the fog. Suzanne

As a therapist, I see many patients dealing with grief. This book is a wonderful resource for both the patient and therapist. It is written in such an approachable and empathic way, and talks about aspects of grief that you don't find in many of the traditional therapeutic literature. It is a contemporary look at grief that is suitable for people going through it in the culture of today. I keep several copies in my office now, lending them out often. Thank you for taking the time to write this book.

I found this book really helpful as I tried to cope with the emotions from a dear friend/mentor passing away unexpectedly. The author helps you understand and appreciate your grief, rather than be ashamed of it. She even dedicates specific chapters to advice for those who have lost a parent, child, coworker, etc. My only complaint is the author spends less time focused on tips for when you've lost a close friend (that might just be the shortest chapter!), but overall, I found this book very helpful.

I have bought several of Ms. Heath's book to distribute to those suffering loss. One especially went to a dear friend who had recently said goodbye to her husband. She reads it daily and finds great comfort and understanding. She also finds that by reading daily she does find subtle ways to go on. Together we have found that we can express our grief openly, and now know there are so many others that feel the same way when approached. Often we tend to hide these feelings so as not to make others uncomfortable. Ms. Heath lets us know, its ok to feel what you feel and express it. Through her own experiences, Judy Heath relates to all those who have had loss, as hers was so deep. Lossing her child, Jessie, had a profound effect on Judy's life. However, it seems by reading "No Time For Tears: Surviving Grief in America", we see that she not only gets it but can help others through her tragidy. There is a gentle thread of caring throughout this book that seems to help the reader release the fears held inside knowing that even the author has dealth with such a sadness. Judy Heath seems to be a person who unwittingly will pass on blessings, certainly my friend felt it.

Judy Heath's book "No Time for Tears" is not a simpleton, self-help book with five easy steps to survive loss. Instead this eloquent writer marries the wisdom of her extensive theraphy practice, and the science of psychotherapy, with the rich narratives of her patients, who have something to teach us all about loss. She has a gift for breaking down the science, and her humble, nonjudmental voice gently guides the reader to find their own best path. Heath's book is filled with practical advice for those lost in the abyss of grief but also makes some important contributions that serve as a call to action to penetrate the way our society, workplaces, and family members currently conceptualize death and grieving. I have no doubt this book will be a guide to those in the throes of grief. But as a professor of communication studies, I also believe it is an important essay on death and loss that has the potential to teach many about this complex, nonlinear, and deeply personal experience.

Judy has a unique perspective of putting into words what I could not, thus helping me to identify my thoughts and feelings about my son's suicide. Anger, resentment, sadness, isolation, are all part of 'going through' the grief process. I found it better to go through than tiptoe around, as that approach led to continued emotional distress and the inability to function. Emotional distress and inability to function are still in my life, but now I have Judy's book to balance myself on this beam that stretches out before me. My life is not as it was, plain and simple. However it is not what it can be. I must look ahead, and accept that "Life is the art of drawing without an eraser." (John W. Gardner, American government official, 1912 - 2002)

There are many different kinds of grief & also many different ways to deal with that grief. "No Time for Tears" has nuggets of wisdom & hope for everyone. If you need a gift for a graduate, a neighbor, a newlywed...ANYONE...."No Time for Tears" would be a welcome addition to their bookshelf.

"No Time for Tears: Surving Grief in America" was an excellent book, full of compassion and depth. Judy Heath writes with such tenderness and wisdom I felt reassured and hopeful.There is a certain dignity in her writing that makes you feel safe and comforted rather than lost and empty. She provides some valuable tools to understanding and managing grief. There is so much out there on this subject but I find this book right on the money in so many aspects. I highly recommend this book to anyone suffering or knows someone trying to understand and work through their grief.

As a Victim's Advocate who works all of the homicides in our county, I recommend No Time For Tears to the families I work with. This is a wonderful tool for anyone going through the grief process. I am fortunate to have gotten to know Judy Heath personally and professionally and she is as wonderful as she comes across in her books. NTFT is a must read!

This book was very useful in helping me work thru my grief after losing my son to a heart attack. It has been a very hard struggle as his death was quite sudden and I never expected to outlive him. This book helped me gage where I was in the healing process, as I was feeling like I was losing my mind. I would highly reccomend it to anyone in the grieving process.

This is a wonderful book for grievers. Only 2 mos. since I lost my husband. I have read the book 3 times and now go back to different chapters for comfort. There are sections in chapters for those helping grievers. This book has helped me understand the grieving process. I highly recommend reading it.

Judy Heath was looking into my soul when she wrote this book on grief. It has been 3 years since the sudden death of our daughter. When I picked her book up I could not put it down. It answered so many questions about my feelings and the grieving process. I would strongly recommend this book to anyone who has experienced the loss of a love one.

Author's sharing of her own personal loss as well as her many years of professional grief counseling really helped make this a practical and useful guide for those who are grieving. This is an excellent book for laymen and professional counselors alike. Highly recommended!

A friend who lost her husband loaned me this book as my husband had died nine months ago. I had recently written a short blog about how I was feeling. I wrote of how my mind couldn't get past past those last few days in the hospital l, how it seemed as though my brain was locked and someone had thrown away the key. My dear friend, although suffering herself, made time to ensure I read Judy Heath`s book. I know now I am not crazy. The feelings I wrote about are explained in 'No Time For Tears'. Thank you to my dear online friend CM for thinking of me and to Judy Heath for giving me some peace of mind. Death which comes to us all, is part of life and we should be able to talk about it openly, without fear and not shut it out. When my father died, people talked about me behind my back for having my then eight year old son at the funeral and for allowing him to witness the burial. I know it was a good decision because had I not, there wouldn't have been closure for him. He adored his grandfather and needed to be part of the final goodbyes. The chapters dealing with grieving children brought all this back to me and I am relieved to know, after all these years, I made the right decision. If you are grieving and feel totally lost, read this book especially if you are pretending that life is fine when indeed it is not. It okay to let the mask slip.

Ms. Heath's numerous gifts of intuition, kindness and vast, loving, spiritual landscape infuses "No Time For Tears" with everything a person experiencing loss needs to move the through the path of healing. It was made clear to me when my mother died after nine years of hideous dementia that everyone would expect me to get past it and be done with it when the flowers were dried up...but it took me three years to come through it. I wish I had read Judy's book the day after the funeral and given it to my siblings...but it has prepared me for the rest of my life for whatever losses come...may the blessings of this book go beyond anyone's expectations.

I must first say that the subject matter of this wonderful book has something for everyone. All human beings will suffer loss at one time or another in their lives. There are lots of books about grief, but not all are created equal. When I lost my precious triplet son 13 years ago at the age of 6, I purchased several books about grieving in the hopes that maybe I could find some understanding or perhaps just some kinship with others. What I mostly found was what felt by me at least, to be some kind of expectation of how grief was supposed to play out. Like some regimented list that was supposed to follow in order, one that seemed foreign to me. I was turned away from seeking support from such books because my grief seemed so different, even dare I say, "out of order". After 13 years, I was ready to deal with my sad loss in a way I had not before in hopes of figuring out how to embrace some of the joys in my life even though it felt so foreign. It was only in picking up Judy's book all these years later that I was able to see this journey through eyes that seemed to understand me. As I read more and more, I realized that there was something for everyone, whether you've lost a child, a parent, spouse, a friend, or whether you are a professional who helps others through their grieving. Mostly, for me, I was so touched to read about Judy's own journey after losing her son many years ago, and her triumph in finding joy once again in her life. I was relieved to read her words which felt so authentic. As I read I couldn't help but cheer her on as her life began to find joy once she was open to letting it in. She made me see that although I have always felt that losing my son "jipped" me out of true joy for the rest of my life, that it is ok to let it back in and once you do, what a gift you give to yourself, and what a tribute it can be to your lost loved one. Please, do yourself a favor and buy this book and keep it close for whenever you may need it. You will be so happy you did!

Author, Judy Heath, has a natural caring and sensitivity about her that comes right through in this book. She presents in a way that is relatable to anyone, all of us, who must face the hardships of loss. Though it is easy to read and understand, it is evident that NO TIME FOR TEARS is composed from a vast amount of knowledge, training and experience in the specialized and critical area of grief counseling. This book serves as an extremely valuable aid with universal appeal to all who are required to deal with loss. Despite the uncertain and unpredictable path that awaits grief stricken individuals, NO TIME FOR TEARS will help readers learn to survive and, more importantly, live.

This book is a must read if you or someone you know is experiencing grief. I suddenly loss my sibling and felt so much, but had such trouble explaining it. This book offered perspective and comfort. It helped me through the darkest depths of grief and offered me hope. It made such an impact on my journey through grief that I bought it for family and friends. Not only does it help the individual grieving to read this book, but it also offers perspective on how differently other individuals grieve. It made me more thoughtful to others dealing with grief. If you or someone you know has experienced a loss, this book can help you give you perspective to the many different feelings that you face, give you practical advice for navigating through grief, and ultimately give a light at the end of the tunnel.

No Time for Tears is an excellent read for an array of individuals. Whether you are somebody suffering with your own grief, are looking to help a friend or family member with his or her grief, or are a student or professional in the field of psychology, this book is a valuable resource. Death is a natural part of life and unfortunately all of us will eventually experience grief in some way, shape, or form. Judy Heath has not only had a great number of years of experience as a bereavement specialist but has also experienced a tragic loss herself. In her book, Ms. Heath shares her story of loss and the wisdom she has gained from living through her grief and counseling those who have also suffered with grief. As a graduate student in a counseling program, I have found that grief is something that is often glossed over in terms of education and training. With the numerous vignettes of people suffering with grief that are included in this book, I feel as though I finally have some insight into the grieving process. I know that I will utilize this book when working with clients and would recommend it to anyone that has lost somebody. Judy Heath's words provide understanding, comfort, encouragement, and hope that will no doubt be helpful for all that read.

No Time For Tears should be a must read for those dealing with loss. Some of us have never experienced grief to any degree and finally when it happens its an emotion we often deal with alone no matter how many people are in our lives to help. No Time for Tears became my friend. As I fell into those periods of sadness I learned to pick up this book for guidance and found I indeed was not alone. The author herself had suffered loss and seems to touch on what we should feel and how to handle those feelings. I hope others will find the comfort in this wonderful book that I did.

Judy has amazing insights and practical guidance for coping with grief. There is something for everyone in this book...solutions to try, advice to take, stories to relate to and questions that are difficult to answer. There are chapters in the book that relate to the situation you are dealing with personally that you can return to again and again to remind yourself that what you're experiencing is not unique and that someday, you too will be able to move on from your grief. I recommend this book to anyone who is struggling with grief.

I could not find any reviews of this author but I decided to take a chance and I am so very glad that I did. This is a very gentle and reassuring read for anyone trying to come to terms with the emotional pain of loss. Anyone who knows the grief from losing a loved one, or who is trying to support someone who has experienced such a loss will absolutely benefit from this book. Ms. Heath takes a very compassionate and insightful look at this process. This book will help you to understand that you're not alone and you will absolutely be able to enjoy life again. This book is an absolute blessing and a must read. Thank you Ms. Heath for helping me to cry, remember, understand and be able to enjoy life again.

Author, Judy Heath has written the best book yet on grieving the loss of a loved one in our society. As someone who has had multiple untimely deaths in my life, this book makes one realize that you are not alone or unique in your feelings and thoughts when you are grieving the passing of a loved one. I am so grateful to my therapist for recommending this book and I have given this book as well to many friends who all have greatly appreciated Judy Heath's knowledge, warmth and understanding on grief in America. As a recent college graduate with a major in sociology, I believe this book should be read by anyone majoring in the medical or social sciences fields as both professional and the general public can be helped, educated and healed while reading this book. Thank you Judy Heath for writing a much needed book on a subject that touches everyone sometime in their lives. Jeanne

I can not recommend this book highly enough. It helped me greatly when I lost my sister to breast cancer. I have shared it with many and will continue to do so. There is no better gift one can give to someone that has suffered a loss. I encourage others to tie a bow around the book and deliver it to your grieving friend or loved one along with that bouquet of flowers. They will find comfort in it during those long silent hours when they are alone with their feelings and memories.

No Time for Tears is an invaluable resource for anyone going through the grieving process and for the therapists who work with them. I am a therapist and have given copies of this book to my clients. Judy has written a book that is grounded in solid clinical experience yet is highly relatable to anyone experiencing a loss. I particularly appreciate the chapters that focus on specific types of losses: parents, siblings, child, spouse. Weaving her own experience of loss throughout is another major strength of the book.

What is grief? In an insightful, perceptive, and empathetic manner Ms. Heath successfully takes the reader through the "long dark forest" of personal loss. As a Mental Health Professional I have repeatedly utilized No Time For Tears: Surviving Grief In America as a therapeutic tool. This book has helped my clients normalize the roller coaster of emotions experienced by loss. It describes a menu of the prerequisite steps for the healthy accommodation of loss. It provides specific advise regarding many aspects of a confusing and misunderstood process. This is a book about hope and the resilience of the human spirit

"No Time for Tears" astonished me with the author's depth of feeling and wise analysis of a condition that we almost all do encounter and must surmount to live a whole and positive life. Using a combination of her healing knowledge and graceful, intuitive gifts, she acknowledges the lingering, rending effect of loss of all kinds then lets us know there are ways to live with and even to overcome it. I would suggest that artists of all kind would benefit from her understanding of the human condition.That is,being human. Buy it and read it.