Jeannie is the President/CEO of Perspectives’ Inc., a nonprofit organization located in Minneapolis, Minnesota. Over her three decades of leadership, she has developed award-winning programs, including the Midwest’s largest supportive housing program for women and children. In addition to the early death of her own mother, the inspiration for Nine Friends comes from her twenty-five years of witnessing recovering homeless women who, after experiencing monumental loss, move on to discover new lives filled with purpose and serenity.
She lives in the southwest suburbs of Minneapolis with her husband of four decades, Gary.
Dear Friend,
Welcome to the home of Nine Friends! Please allow me to offer you a cup of hot tea, and a warm, sympathetic hug if you are struggling with a profound loss. You will find me more emotional than wordy. Truly, what words can I say to ease your pain? There are none. No magic wand. No basket of stardust. I know. I have been there.
So, do stay awhile. We have a way of healing here that supersedes words. And magic. And stardust.
Perhaps it is not grief that prompts your visit. Are you pursuing a resource for someone you love? Or have you stopped by out of curiosity? Whatever your purpose, I am delighted you’re here! Have another cup of tea.
I like to think it was through divine intervention that I wrote Nine Friends just 18 months before my own heartbreaking and life-changing loss. I had no desire at that time to write this little gift book, except a still, small voice kept urging me onward. I am so glad I listened. When the devastating news came, I don’t think I would have survived without these amazing friends.
Please visit my Blog. It is created to be a haven, a safe place where we gather to express our thoughts and experiences of grief. You are welcome to share or just listen. Come sit with us—because profound grief is a tough and perilous journey to walk alone.
Since I am more of a believer in synchronicity than coincidence, because you’re here – there is a good chance you will find the solace and peace that we all seek.
With love,
Jeannie
Book
Reviews
“Brilliant, inspired, and profoundly insightful!” ~ Annemarie Osborne – Communication Strategist, Bavaria, Germany
“CREATIVE STORY-TELLING that brings comfort, understanding and healing.”~ David McNally – Best Selling Author, Even Eagles Need a Push“
Poignant, Cathartic and Heartwarming– I wish it had been available when I lost my mother.”~Sue Zelickson – Reporter/Consultant for Minnesota Monthly Magazine“
A Deeply Thought-Provoking story that translates life’s mysteries into a powerful visual – I will read it again and again.” ~“Luanne Bibbee – President and CEO of Suma Center
“Jeannie Seeley-Smith’s book, Nine Friends: In Time of Loss is a compelling story which introduces nine friends who enter our lives as we anguish over the loss of someone or something we love. Her book gave me hope, comfort, and healing at a time when I felt deep despair and an overwhelming sense of loss over the death of my second born sister.
I have a site called Significance Matters where I write blogs about treating yourself and others with significance. In my latest blog- Loss: Significance illuminated – I described how I moved from anguished grief over the loss of my sister to moments where I intensely savor memories of our time together. Nine Friends was critical in helping me move forward in my grief journey. In my call to action section of the blog I shared Jeannie’s book with my readers as it is the most valuable resources I have found and wanted others to experience the healing that Nine Friends offers.
Thank you Jeannie for this profound blessing of a book!” – Rae Lesmeister
“Nine Friends is a most unique book – with a simple, imaginative, yet highly informative approach to the subject of grief. While grief is often a subject that is related to various religious, spiritual or psychological beliefs, Nine Friends offers a sensitive, instructional path through the difficult challenges and stages of grief without making any belief assumptions. Every reader will benefit from this quick read, whether comforting others or experiencing their own grief.” ~Vicki Wyard, Wayzata, MN
“I’M ABSOLUTELY WORDLESS. – There is no way to describe what this author has created…………..it’s anointed and I suspect she felt the direction of the Holy Spirit as she wrote it. It’s just one of those things that as you read it you sense immediately ‘It had to be’. Her use of metaphor is so creative, fresh and new and the concept of seeing these overwhelming feelings as FRIENDS is soooo powerful! Now to bring it to all those who will find great healing, HOPE and UNDERSTANDING in it.” ~Nan Rae, Burbank, CA
“Nine Friends came to me via serendipity I would like to think. Two years ago I lost both of my parents within a 30 day span and at the time my situation did not allow for me to grieve. I packed up my pain and tucked onto a shelf in my heart and pretended all was well with me. When Nine friends landed in my lap just a few weeks ago, I was not ready for how this book in its simpicity would carry me back to where my grieving had been interrupted. My belief is that what we do not process in life settles in our souls and burdens our whole existence until we finally deal with it. So with this said, Nine Friends is a must read if a person is stuck in their grieving and cannot move forward… its as much an intimate sharing of the experience of loss as it is a tool to process the inevitable steps of grieving and begin the healing process.
Grateful for this little book and the people who brought it into my life. Thank you for this book!” – Annika