This week I read a powerful newly released book I haven't been able to get out of my mind. It's called Rare Bird by Anna Whitson-Donaldson. In September 2011, Anna's 12 year old son, Jack, drowned in a neighborhood creek flooded by a freak storm in the suburban Washington, DC area. Before this happened, Anna had a blog, An Inch Of Gray, that focused on painting furniture and the occasional posts about family life. After the accident, she poured her emotions out and walked through her grief with blog readers.
In the introduction to her book, Anna writes,
I thought the first book I'd write would be about painting furniture. It would have suggestions, techniques, and even inspirational Bible verses sprinkled throughout it...But this is the book I wrote. I wish I had nothing to say on the matter of loss, but I do. Because one ordinary day I encouraged my two kids to go out and play in the rain and only one child came home.
Anna's writing is very honest, raw and emotional. But it's not a story without hope. As a Christian, Anna knows her son is in heaven. She knows she'll see him again someday. Rare Bird addresses a question in the back of every mother's mind...how would I go on if I lost a child? She writes,
My new story was a tragedy so frightening that, as parents, we feel we risk something even by thinking about it, because it whispers into our hearts a truth we don't want to hear. That we can't keep our children safe. That we don't know what the future holds. We want to cover our ears, close our eyes, and turn away from the horror of that truth.
My new story was a tragedy so frightening that, as parents, we feel we risk something even by thinking about it, because it whispers into our hearts a truth we don't want to hear. That we can't keep our children safe. That we don't know what the future holds. We want to cover our ears, close our eyes, and turn away from the horror of that truth.
Anna asks the hard questions and doesn't hold back in describing her journey from wanting to die every day after the accident to embracing life again. She brings her son to life with her words. She writes,
...this isn't a scary book. It's a book about a loving relationship between a mother and her boy. It's about being faced with impossible circumstances and wanting to accept nothing less than the chance to turn back the clock. It's about anger and profound sadness, but also about a flicker of hope that comes from the realization that in times of heartbreak, God is closer than our own skin. It's about being real and showing up in the pain.
We all have or will face circumstances that bring us to our knees. Rare Bird is a book that holds out hope in the midst of pain. It's a beautiful testimony to the power of love, community, faith, and ultimately trust in God.
...this isn't a scary book. It's a book about a loving relationship between a mother and her boy. It's about being faced with impossible circumstances and wanting to accept nothing less than the chance to turn back the clock. It's about anger and profound sadness, but also about a flicker of hope that comes from the realization that in times of heartbreak, God is closer than our own skin. It's about being real and showing up in the pain.
We all have or will face circumstances that bring us to our knees. Rare Bird is a book that holds out hope in the midst of pain. It's a beautiful testimony to the power of love, community, faith, and ultimately trust in God.
I can relate to every word she wrote that you shared. God's grace truly is sufficient if we walk with Him through the journey of death or anything else we go through in this life.
ReplyDeleteLove and hugs, Aunt Kim
I thought of you so often as I read this book. I thought of your pain and the trust in God you've modeled over the years. Your story is never forgotten. xx
DeleteThanks Marie. XOXO
DeleteYou wrote a beautiful review of this book, Marie. It sounds like one that would be good to read. My heart goes out to the author and her family.
ReplyDeleteI had heard of this book, but have been a little scared to read it. Thanks for the honest review Marie! I'll add it to my reading list.
ReplyDeleteWhat a wonderful review Marie... the perfect amount of information for someone to want to dig deeper. I hate to think of losing a child. I couldn't imagine going on, yet so many parents have encountered this and they do go on with their lives. Sometimes a profound message or a deeper truth is revealed in the process of healing. Sounds like a moving piece of literature.
ReplyDeleteThanks for sharing.
xoxo
I can't ever imagine losing a child at any age. What a powerful and heart rending book.
ReplyDelete"Rare Bird is a book that holds out hope in the midst of pain". Beautiful review Marie.
This sounds an amazing book and one that I think will help many. In fact I'm going to share it with another blogger that I know is experiencing loss and is a christian. Thank you x
ReplyDeleteI'm sorry to hear your friend is hurting, Suzanne. I hope it helps her!
DeleteThis sounds like a very powerful book, thank you for sharing your review x
ReplyDeleteWOW that sounds like a great read both powerful and emotional. I always cried just reading your post about her story. Great review. Thanks for linking up #sharewithme
ReplyDeleteWow this sounds like a very powerful book.. I could never imagine what it must be like to lose a child. Glad I found your blog this week on the #SHINEbloghop.. thanks for sharing!
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