elaine williams  

I am up and running! "A Journey Well Taken: Life After Loss" is available in ebook format. You can order it from my website <a href="http://www.ajourneywelltaken.com/order.html">http://www.ajourneywelltaken.com/order.html"></a> or a link on this blog, to the right. $8.95 for an instant download with artwork.  Thanks for asking!

Below is a link to a blog written by "L.A. Sosnowski, a veteran of the behind-the-scenes insurance field, whose goal is to help consumers buy smarter and get their money's worth."

L.A. Sosnowski writes: <em>"In honor of Veterans Day this year, I want to help the families of military veterans get their proper benefit checks for life insurance policies held by service persons. IF you have kept up your military group life insurance policy during service (if still in uniform) or after discharge, you (or rather your beneficiaries) should be able to get the VA to accept your claim. Just read this article and go to the link given below to find the claim form."</em>

Go to the link below for full information.

<a href="http://insuranceconsumeradvisor.blogspot.com/2008/11/in-honor-of-upcoming-veterans-day-how.html">http://insuranceconsumeradvisor.blogspot.com/2008/11/in-honor-of-upcoming-veterans-day-how.html"></a>

Below is a link to a blog written by "L.A. Sosnowski, a veteran of the behind-the-scenes insurance field, whose goal is to help consumers buy smarter and get their money's worth."

L.A. Sosnowski writes: <em>"In honor of Veterans Day this year, I want to help the families of military veterans get their proper benefit checks for life insurance policies held by service persons. IF you have kept up your military group life insurance policy during service (if still in uniform) or after discharge, you (or rather your beneficiaries) should be able to get the VA to accept your claim. Just read this article and go to the link given below to find the claim form."</em>

Go to the link below for full information.

<a href="http://insuranceconsumeradvisor.blogspot.com/2008/11/in-honor-of-upcoming-veterans-day-how.html">http://insuranceconsumeradvisor.blogspot.com/2008/11/in-honor-of-upcoming-veterans-day-how.html"></a>

Widowed or Divorced -- Alone During the Holidays
Elaine Williams ©2008
I understand the pain of being left alone during the holiday season, and the pain is especially acute for a new widow.

For many people, holidays center around family and celebrations, and this time of year can be one of the most difficult times to get through. After the loss of your partner there’s nothing quite as painful as that emptiness, whether it’s a holiday once shared, or an anniversary or birthday.

Even if the loss is due to divorce, it is still a major life change, subject to emotions of loss, anger or perhaps feelings of abandonment. Through the holidays these emotions may surface and be experienced more strongly than other times of the year.

Some may argue that death of a spouse is out of your control and therefore worse than divorce. If the partner you love has divorced you, your choice has been taken away -- similar to losing someone to death. There’s also the added complication of perhaps feeling as if you've been thrown away, an understandably devastating experience. I have experienced both divorce and death, and the aftermath in each instance is neither pretty nor painless.

Does losing a partner in death hurt more than divorce? Losing someone you love, regardless of how that occurs, is a permanent wound on the heart. During holidays and special times, try not to totally isolate yourself, thereby adding to moments of stress or alienation. Allow family and friends to help you get through difficult times, even if it’s something as simple as picking up your children from school or helping you shop for groceries. You can still be alone with your thoughts to sort through your grief, but it doesn’t hurt to allow others to help absorb some of the heartache during this time of year.

Those who really care for you will be glad to assist you on your journey, so be open to accepting help from time to time.

I just received the wonderful news that I will be November's Author of the Month at the Women and Hope Website <a href="http://www.WomenandHope.com/hope/">http://www.WomenandHope.com/hope/"></a>.

 
<strong>"Women & HOPE is all about women coming together from all over the world with a selfless spirit to support one another in achieving their goals so that every woman is successful in every aspect of her life and is living her best life." Women and Hope Founder, Dr. Deitra C. Payne Ph.D.</strong>

Press Release
2008-10-25 15:27:27 -

Award winning author and contributing writer Elaine Williams understands the pain of being left alone during the holiday season. Her book, A Journey Well Taken - Life After Loss, offers a message of hope that is particularly needed by many left alone during this time of year.

'For most people,' stated Ms. Williams, 'holidays center around family and celebrations. For widows, especially new widows, this time of year is one of the hardest times to get through. After the loss of your partner there is nothing quite as painful as feeling alone during these special times.'

According to the U.S Census Bureau, there are approximately 700,000 new widows every year. Widows and widowers are not the only ones who suffer during this time of year. Surveys and studies also illustrate that a staggering 10% of all marriages end in divorce. The emotional problems that affect those experiencing widowhood or divorce can be overwhelming. These feelings are exacerbated during the Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Year's seasons.

32% of women aged 55 and older live alone, according to the 2000 U.S. Census. A Journey Well Taken - Life After Loss addresses the important issues involving loss created through death or divorce and offers real hope to those left alone and those left behind.

'I personally don't see much difference in dating after loss or following a divorce,' stated Ms. Williams, 'as both occurrences involve a major life change, subject to emotions of loss and anger or perhaps betrayal and abandonment. At no time do these feelings surface more strongly than during the holiday season. Some who have lost a spouse may argue that death is worse, being final and out of your control -- while divorce is a choice. I disagree. If the spouse you love has divorced you, the choice has been taken away from you, similar to losing someone to death. You also have an added complication of perhaps feeling as if you've been thrown away, an understandably devastating experience. I have experienced both divorce and death, and the aftermath in each instance is neither pretty nor painless.'

'Does the death of a partner hurt more than divorce? When you lose the person you love, regardless of how that occurs, it is a permanent wound on the heart. Loss of any kind is never easy. It can be especially difficult during the holidays,' stated Ms. Williams, 'but try not to totally isolate yourself during moments of stress; instead allow family and friends to help you get through difficult times. You can be alone with your thoughts to sort through your grief, but also remember to allow those who care about you to help you on your journey.'

A Journey Well Taken - Life After Loss is a finalist in the USA Book News Best Books Awards for 2008. The book has received a 5 star rating from Midwest Book Reviews. Copies of 'A Journey Well Taken - Life After Loss' are available at her website. A portion of the profit from each book is donated to charity. Ms. Williams is available for media interviews by contacting her at the address below.

Contact
Elaine Williams
On Wings Press
Phone: 518-589-6229
Web: <a href="http://www.ajourneywelltaken.com">http://www.ajourneywelltaken.com"></a>
Email: onwingspress@yahoo.com