By Susan F. Hirsch (NHC Fellow, 2002–03) On August 7, 1998, bombs exploded at two United States embassies in East Africa. American anthropologist Susan Hirsch and her husband Jamal, a Kenyan, were among the thousands of victims, and Jamal died. From there, Hirsch went on to face devastating grief with the help of friends and … Continued
All things change, say philosophers, but sometimes they change more dramatically than we’re ready for. Ancient Greek, Roman, Jewish, and Christian writers developed a number of practical strategies for coping with sudden illness, loss, and death. In this webinar, we will explore two: the consolation, which looks to the future, and the thanksgiving, which looks … Continued
When I was a senior in high school, one of my friend’s passed away from a tragic accident. My friend and I decided to attend the funeral together for comfort and support. I picked her up early that morning to shed our tears over him, and after spending some time with the family, we made … Continued
During the election week of president-elect Trump, I was upset. As I tried to make sense of my initial reaction and other’s reactions, a scripture from my youth came to mind. It reads, “…mourn with those that mourn; yea, and comfort those that stand in need of comfort…” When I was a child, I figured … Continued
How do we make sense of tragedy when it strikes? How do we remember those who are gone too soon? Written by their Andover classmate, journalist William D. Cohan, Four Friends tells the stories of Jack Berman, Will Daniel, Harry Bull, and John F. Kennedy, Jr.
In an instant, Joseph Luzzi became both a widower and a first-time father. In the aftermath of unthinkable tragedy, Luzzi relied on the support of his Italian immigrant family to grieve and care for his infant daughter. But it wasn’t until he turned to the Divine Comedy—a poem he had devoted his life to studying and teaching—that he learned how to resurrect his life, passing from his own grief-stricken Inferno through the Purgatory of healing, and ultimately stepping into the Paradise of rediscovered love.
During this grief and loss, many are turning to the arts for emotional support, but the COVID-19 crisis is also a place for the humanities. Where the arts provide individual expression and connection, the humanities help us make meaning and find understanding on a collective level.