Featured Book: Chicken Soup for the Soul: Grieving and Recovery

Written by Jack Canfield, Mark Victor Hansen, and Amy Newmark

Book review by: Bonnie Swade

It is no surprise that we grieve differently, have individual time tables for getting into the “new normal” and choose ways to handle grieving. For me, reading has been a big help and a book I would like to recommend is Chicken Soup for the Soul. The book contains Inspirational and Comforting Stories about Surviving the Loss of a Loved One. Losing a loved one as stated on the cover is a “shared human experience.” The many stories that make up this book deal with recovery and finding acceptance.

The book contains 101 stories from many contributing authors. One of those authors is Sami Aaron from Leawood, KS. Although, we both have experienced a loss of a son to suicide, each one of us has our own unique experience. Sami’s son Kevin faced a ten-year battle with debilitating headaches that left him powerless to reach his humanitarian goals. He, like many other suicide victims felt helpless, and hopeless.

Sami’s story is called the “Gift of Compassion”. She describes her feelings of senses as a weight shrouded by a lead veil. As she moves into the passage of time, the reader feels the lifting of heavy grief and hope for the future.

The book is a must read for those dealing with a loss and looking to regain strength and appreciate life, and joy once again. From the experience of a devastating loss, the book offers readers hope and comfort from those whom have walked the same path.