 Hello,
This ABJ newsletter is part of a virtual support system to communicate with those who’ve suffered a traumatic loss, especially families that have lost a child, and with people who know someone that has.
As a multiple bereaved parent, retired from corporate international technology, my mission is now to help families struggling with grief after the loss of a child (any age, any cause), to find hope and happiness again. I’ve had a nonprofit chapter to support families local to me in MA for eleven years and am now expanding through my book, my ‘virtual’ support (phone & Internet), and a Resource Center nationally.
Supporting your journey to HOPE,
PS. Please forward to anyone you know who might benefit from this information. Thank you!
 Healing from traumatic loss is NOT a solo expedition!
Traumatic loss, especially the loss of a child, grandchild or sibling is not only a loss but often an actual trauma! Read information from the International Society for Traumatic Stress Studies on grief and a quote from a therapist who lost a child and a grandchild.
Check out the feature blog below to see how you can remember to be grateful – if you like it, let me know – post a comment on my blog and tell me what you think, okay?
- Airing through July in MA, CT & RI: Barbara interviewed on Charter TV3’s show “6th Sense & Beyond” hosted by Christina Andrianopolous & “Best of Boston” medium Katherine Glass.
- Still airing throughout eastern MA: Barbara as the DEBUT guest on a new HCTV series “Across the Universe” hosted by Lindsay Paris.
 “I just want to add my voice to all the praise I imagine you’ve received for your amazing, moving, beautiful Book Launch at the Actor’s Studio last night. It was certainly the most fantastic ‘reading’ I’ve ever attended, by far, and I know that a lot of thought, care and love must have gone into it. When I arrived home I immediately had to take up your story where your reading had left off, Barbara, and it was all I could do to put it down, as I needed to wake up super early today. It is hard to describe the way in which such a wrenching story can also be so gripping: your writing style propels the reader along…. The emotion of the evening was pure, palpable, and – once again – wrenching and beautiful at the same time. I feel that I will look at my life and my children differently from now on.
I could go on, but just want to say to you both: Bravo!”
~ Jane Bernhardt, Author or “We Are Here“ and “The Sweet Conversation”
“I have read the Butterfly’s Journey and it has helped me enormously in my healing process. I lost a grandson six years ago and went to many grief groups but found no relief until I attended Compassionate Friends, which the Newburyport Chapter was established and lead by Barbara Hopkinson since the loss of her son, ten years ago. During my first meeting at Compassionate Friends, I knew I had found a home for healing from this tragedy. A Butterfly’s Journey has touched and soothed my soul at a deeper level and led me to more avenues to grieve and love my lost grandchild. Thank you Barbara for all your work and love.”
Eileen Hiatt, LICSW , Newburyport, MA; bereaved mother & grandmother
- Just aired:
- Barbara’s FREE Tele-Seminar on “Creating a New Normal” PODCAST
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- Barbara was interviewed by “Best of Boston 2013” medium Katherine Glass and Charter TV3 host Christina Andrianopolous on TV show “6th Sense & Beyond” VIDEO
- Coming Soon!
- video for debut episode of “Across the Universe” hosted by Lindsay Paris
- upgraded ABJ web site with a new online Resource Center!
A few Facebook sites for loss-of-a-child:
(for interaction with others with similar experiences)
You’re welcome to share this article. When you do, please include this complete blurb with it:
“Music is one of the great healing tools we can use as we move through the phases of grief. You can download, at no cost, the song “Theme of a Butterfly’s Journey”, a lovely instrumental piece as my gift to you on your healing journey.
Barbara J Hopkinson has been helping bereaved families find hope and happiness again through for more than 10 years. She is also inspired to assist those who work in organizations which support them, how to better understand their needs.”
 Barbara J Hopkinson has been leading bereaved families through the journey of grief for more than 10 years. She is also inspired to teach those who work in organizations that touch them, how to best communicate, console and support a bereaved family member after the death of child.
In 2003, following her 21-year-old son’s sudden death in a motorcycle accident (and the loss of two babies before that), Hopkinson founded The Compassionate Friends of Greater Newburyport, Mass, a local chapter of the international organization created as a support group for bereaved families.
Proceeding through her own intense grief journey simultaneously, she began tracking her progress in a journal unexpectedly given to her by her remaining son, Brad. The more grounded she became in her healing journey, the more she knew she had to share what she learned with others on a broader scale. Her unique perspective from losing multiple children and intimately witnessing so many other bereaved families in grief form the basis of her first book, A Butterfly’s Journey…Healing Grief After the Loss of a Child.
Hopkinson’s passion for helping bereaved families continues to expand beyond the launch of her first book in 2013, with her ongoing commitment to reach national and international audiences through public speaking and the creation of individualized virtual bereavement support programs and resources.
She is a model of hope for bereaved families, having found happiness again. She lives north of Boston with her second husband, Jim. She enjoys great relationships with her son, Brad, and three adult stepchildren, Melanie, Matthew and Christopher. She also has a passion for cooking, photography and travel, having visited forty-five countries so far.
For more information:
visit the web site & contact Barbara at 617-410-6309 or barbara@abutterflysjourney.com for a complimentary 30-minute “Healing” conversation.
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