I came across this book at random and read it because I didn't have anything else to read, which feels meant to be. One of my closest loved ones died in my arms in the early morning hours of my birthday, and I've had a really hard time processing the loss, as well as the way it happened. I found this book about 8 years later, and I began processing that whole experience within just a few days of starting to read this book. It's now been almost 2 years since I read the book, and a bit over 10 years from my experience, and I am finally feeling like my grief is settled in to a place within myself that I can be okay with. After reading this book, I was able to celebrate my next birthday with my husband & kids and actually forget our loss several times that day.
The author opens the narrative style book with a story about her own loss, and she explains almost from the outset how our culture makes the death of a loved one so much harder than it needs to be. Existential realities are what they are, and we will all experience them. Why our culture likes to attempt avoidance of things that are impossible to avoid I will never understand. But this book starts by helping one cope effectively, and over time, it helps one to view all existential realities with some equanimity and less fear. The author has a non-nonsense tone with heartfelt honesty and authenticity. I wish so much that I had a friend or loved one in my life like her. If it weren't psycho I'd have moved to her hometown and tried to have lunch with her as soon as I finished the book! lol! Not really, but that was my emotional response. I felt that connected to the author after listening to her read the audiobook version. What an amazing, humble, and real person this author is. Every person deserves to have someone fallible, practical, compassionate, and thoughtful like her in their lives. Her family and those whom she works with are very fortunate to have her in their lives. What an exceptional human being.
