Pet companions play helpful roles in our grief-journeys. And while Janet Rice (David's Story) hoped that Mr. Blue would do a written review, he's more into verbal commentary at the moment.
Reviews
Clarion Rating: 5 out of 5
"This is a beautifully written meditation on grief, healing, and hope. Life Came to a Standstill is a beautiful compilation of eight stories of heartbreak and loss. The survivors’ accounts are presented to help others in similar situations to cope and heal, and to bring some light into the dark process of grieving. Each of the narratives is devastatingly sad, yet each also maintains a hopeful note. After the unexpected death of her son, Liam, collection editor Gwendolyn Broadmore wanted to help others in similar situations; she assists here with the bibliotherapy of sharing tragedies..."
For the full review visit Clarion Foreword
- Foreword Clarion Review
"This is a beautifully written meditation on grief, healing, and hope. Life Came to a Standstill is a beautiful compilation of eight stories of heartbreak and loss. The survivors’ accounts are presented to help others in similar situations to cope and heal, and to bring some light into the dark process of grieving. Each of the narratives is devastatingly sad, yet each also maintains a hopeful note. After the unexpected death of her son, Liam, collection editor Gwendolyn Broadmore wanted to help others in similar situations; she assists here with the bibliotherapy of sharing tragedies..."
For the full review visit Clarion Foreword
- Foreword Clarion Review
"The aim of Life Came to a Standstill is to give bereaved parents and siblings, such as myself, the permission to grieve, and to mourn within our own space and time, all the while feeling comfort and support from those who have gone through the tragic experience of losing a child. No one can even begin to describe the pain involved in such a traumatic experience, but the authors of this book have had the courage to map out their grief paths, each in their individual writing style. At some point in their journeys, they have chosen life, in a way that inspires us to do so as well. This is why I find this book so moving: ultimately, it speaks to those of us who want to choose life, but who desperately need the support of those who understand."
- Christine Evain, Assistant Professor, Ecole Centrale de Nantes, France
- Christine Evain, Assistant Professor, Ecole Centrale de Nantes, France
"In Life Came to a Standstill, seven bereaved mothers and one bereaved sibling present their personal reactions to the traumatic and unexpected deaths of their loved ones. Whether the cause of death was homicide, a motor vehicle accident, suicide, or a fatal blood clot, the contributors take the reader into the profound personal and familial devastation following these heartrending fatalities. Born of the penetrating pain of loss, each powerful account illustrates the struggle to survive and the strength of the human spirit as each survivor moves from devastation to regeneration—in the final analysis, choosing to live fully again. This insightful and inspiring collection is an important read for both the bereaved and the professionals working with them."
— Stephen Fleming, PhD, C, Psych., Emeritus Professor & Senior Scholar, Psychology Department, Faculty of Health, York University, Toronto
— Stephen Fleming, PhD, C, Psych., Emeritus Professor & Senior Scholar, Psychology Department, Faculty of Health, York University, Toronto
"Life Came to a Standstill is a collection of remarkably honest and vulnerable accounts of loving, loss, pain, and hope. Each person’s story is courageous and candid in approach, which will help the reader to cope with his/her grief after the sudden death of a loved one. This book validates the experience of loss, provides nuggets of wisdom, and most importantly, provides hope while touching the reader’s heart. It is a must-read for the bereaved, as well as family and friends who want to support them."
—Christine Goguen, BA, Sociology: Diploma, “Human Services Counselling,” and former Bereavement Services Coordinator, Bereaved Families of Ontario-York Region
"I have read your book cover to cover. It is beautifully put together, with such honesty and sincerity. It is a tribute to the lives of those who have died and to the family members whose courage and fortitude have walked the road of grief and are willing to offer their coping strategies to others. Although it is primarily written for families coping with the death of a child, I found it of tremendous value for anyone facing the death of someone close to them. We will all face death during our lives, and hearing how the writers have experienced their many and varied situations, and how the experiences have affected them, will validate our feelings and emotions whatever situations we may face."
- Rosemary Oliver, Occupational Therapist (retired), and Fibre Artist, Pickering, Ontario
- Rosemary Oliver, Occupational Therapist (retired), and Fibre Artist, Pickering, Ontario
"This is truly a beautifully written book. Full of heartbreak, loss, love, and ultimately hope. I am very proud of my dear friend Gwen for all her hard work and proud of the women who shared their stories in such a heartfelt way. You are each very brave."
- Beverley Baird, Markham, Ontario
- Beverley Baird, Markham, Ontario
"Stories can lighten the darkness by making rainbows. Such is the power and relevance of the stories in Life Came to a Standstill."
- Dr. Hoi F. Cheu - Laurentian University
- Dr. Hoi F. Cheu - Laurentian University
"Hi Gwendolyn,
I just wanted to share with you my praise and appreciation for the book Life Came to a Standstill. I read it about a year ago and thought it was a wonderfully written collection of heartbreaking stories that bereaved individuals can easily resonate with. I recently reconnected with Helen Jay after meeting her a year ago when she donated a couple copies to our lending library at Bereaved Families of Ontario in Kitchener. It was in speaking with her that I thought I would share with you how great of a resource the book is, specifically for the bereaved parents we support. Also, as a bereaved sister myself, it was comforting to read Brenda's Story from the perspective of her sister Susan. Thank you for bringing these stories to the pages of a book and honouring the lives of the eight individuals and their families."
- Carly Kowalik, Bereaved Families of Ontario-Midwestern Region
I just wanted to share with you my praise and appreciation for the book Life Came to a Standstill. I read it about a year ago and thought it was a wonderfully written collection of heartbreaking stories that bereaved individuals can easily resonate with. I recently reconnected with Helen Jay after meeting her a year ago when she donated a couple copies to our lending library at Bereaved Families of Ontario in Kitchener. It was in speaking with her that I thought I would share with you how great of a resource the book is, specifically for the bereaved parents we support. Also, as a bereaved sister myself, it was comforting to read Brenda's Story from the perspective of her sister Susan. Thank you for bringing these stories to the pages of a book and honouring the lives of the eight individuals and their families."
- Carly Kowalik, Bereaved Families of Ontario-Midwestern Region
Rating 5 out of 5:
Life Came to a Standstill was the first book I read after my son passed. The stories written by the seven bereaved moms, and one bereaved sister, have given me purpose to go on living. The grief experienced by the different authors will enable readers to realize that together we are a part of this fragile journey. It also allows us to reflect on possible ways to cope with the dear children who have left our world.
- Suzette (bereaved mother) Richmond Hill Ontario
Life Came to a Standstill was the first book I read after my son passed. The stories written by the seven bereaved moms, and one bereaved sister, have given me purpose to go on living. The grief experienced by the different authors will enable readers to realize that together we are a part of this fragile journey. It also allows us to reflect on possible ways to cope with the dear children who have left our world.
- Suzette (bereaved mother) Richmond Hill Ontario
Hi Gwen. I hope this email finds you well.
I wanted to reach out to let you know that I just finished reading your book, Life Came to a Standstill. What a valuable book not only for other survivors who are learning to navigate their own grief, but also to non-survivors such as myself who are seeking to more deeply understand the survivor experience.
- Tamara Cherry, Lead Consultatant, Pickup Communications
I wanted to reach out to let you know that I just finished reading your book, Life Came to a Standstill. What a valuable book not only for other survivors who are learning to navigate their own grief, but also to non-survivors such as myself who are seeking to more deeply understand the survivor experience.
- Tamara Cherry, Lead Consultatant, Pickup Communications