Lately I was beginning to doubt what I have written is of any use. Flowers on a Child's Grave is a great resource, but what if it never really helps anyone? What if I am the only one that thinks it is useful or helpful at all. After you read your own words over and over again they lose some of their impact I think. Often we need to be reminded of why we do what we do and this last month I was without a doubt.
I had a book signing in February of this year. There were people at the event I had never met before and one man in particular stood out. He said he was at the hospital when DJ was admitted, that he knew about us and our family and remembered DJ's accident well. He bought a book in honor of DJ and went on his way.
Fast forward several months and I came to hear that this very man's son had died unexpectedly. He was half way through reading my book when he lost his adult son. When you lose a child it is amazing how other bereaved parents seem to hear about it quickly, we are a small, intimate club.
Fast forward to this month and the same gentleman came into my husband's work to talk to him. He told my husband that he and his family used the insights in the book as a blue print on how to handle
his son's personal belongings. That they had used the book as a resource on getting through the terrible loss and it was a huge help to him and his family.
My main prayer has always been that my book would get into the hands that needed it and I would have to say that God did just that with this man. It breaks my heart that this man unfortunately needed the information in the book yet I am so thankful that he had it and wasn't walking this painful journey alone. My plan for the book has been that it can be a resource for people who have lost children and also for those who are wanting to help them. In this instant it hit on both ends.
The stories of the families in the book have helped this man and many others and for that I am grateful to God. If you are struggling or want to help a family or friend that is grieving the loss of a child I am going to use this man's words to convey some hope to you all that "the book helped them get through the loss of their son and was a huge help to them." When DJ passed away I didn't have the resources to help me decide what to do with his clothes, his room, his personal belongings--how the death would affect my remaining children, my marriage, my church life, etc. If you know me personally you know that I am not a person to toot my own horn but I do want people to know that the words the families shared with me are helpful, useful and I wish I had the book in my hands after DJ passed away.
You can order my book in ebook form or paperback form at flowersoagrave.com
I had a book signing in February of this year. There were people at the event I had never met before and one man in particular stood out. He said he was at the hospital when DJ was admitted, that he knew about us and our family and remembered DJ's accident well. He bought a book in honor of DJ and went on his way.
Fast forward several months and I came to hear that this very man's son had died unexpectedly. He was half way through reading my book when he lost his adult son. When you lose a child it is amazing how other bereaved parents seem to hear about it quickly, we are a small, intimate club.
Fast forward to this month and the same gentleman came into my husband's work to talk to him. He told my husband that he and his family used the insights in the book as a blue print on how to handle
his son's personal belongings. That they had used the book as a resource on getting through the terrible loss and it was a huge help to him and his family.
My main prayer has always been that my book would get into the hands that needed it and I would have to say that God did just that with this man. It breaks my heart that this man unfortunately needed the information in the book yet I am so thankful that he had it and wasn't walking this painful journey alone. My plan for the book has been that it can be a resource for people who have lost children and also for those who are wanting to help them. In this instant it hit on both ends.
The stories of the families in the book have helped this man and many others and for that I am grateful to God. If you are struggling or want to help a family or friend that is grieving the loss of a child I am going to use this man's words to convey some hope to you all that "the book helped them get through the loss of their son and was a huge help to them." When DJ passed away I didn't have the resources to help me decide what to do with his clothes, his room, his personal belongings--how the death would affect my remaining children, my marriage, my church life, etc. If you know me personally you know that I am not a person to toot my own horn but I do want people to know that the words the families shared with me are helpful, useful and I wish I had the book in my hands after DJ passed away.
You can order my book in ebook form or paperback form at flowersoagrave.com
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