Review of My Living Will
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[Following is a volunteer review of "My Living Will" by John Trautwein.]
The death of a loved one is devastating; even more so, the death of one's child. My Living Will by former pro baseball player John Trautwein is a poignant story of loss and healing. It follows the Trautwein family (especially the patriarch, John) as they navigate the loss of their eldest son, Will, to suicide.
After Will's death, John sought a way to honor his name and legacy of love. Thus, the Will to Live Foundation was born. The foundation is primarily dedicated to raising awareness about teen suicide, but they do so much more.
Being well informed is crucial to helping a suicidal person, especially a young person. And John's experience taught him that kids might be reluctant to share their struggles with adults, so he went against the norm with the foundation's operations. The proceeds from the sales of the book will go to the foundation.
I love many things about the book, but John's strength and faith amid gut-wrenching pain are chief among them. As a parent, I don't know what I would do if I lost a child, but I know I won't be half as strong as he is. Yet, despite his grief, he still finds ways to uplift others. His strength and optimism are incredible.
Also, he knows how to stir emotions with his words. I cried so much while reading the book; I had to take regular breaks to regain my composure. In addition, the pictures of Will he shared made the story even more personal and poignant.
John is a person of faith. Though the book contains instances of religious events and practices, it wasn't preachy. He just shared his story and the things that helped him cope. Above all else, it was the humanity and genuineness of his story and being that spoke to my heart.
Finally, John, through his experience, shows that there is no manual to grieving. It takes as long as it takes. But with the love and support of family and good friends, one can accomplish anything. Hence, he affirms that it's love, not time, that truly heals the pain.
Overall, I rate the book 4 out of 4 stars. It's well-written and heartfelt. The editing is clean as well. I spotted just one error while reading the book.
I would recommend the book to parents, teachers, caregivers, and young readers. It's an excellent resource for coping with grief and sparking conversations about teen suicide. Though it's exhaustive on the subject, it's a good starting point. While the book will benefit people who have lost a loved one to suicide, I understand that reliving the experience might trigger some people. So if you are sensitive to the topic, this book might not be the best for you.
******
My Living Will
View: on Bookshelves |
The death of a loved one is devastating; even more so, the death of one's child. My Living Will by former pro baseball player John Trautwein is a poignant story of loss and healing. It follows the Trautwein family (especially the patriarch, John) as they navigate the loss of their eldest son, Will, to suicide.
After Will's death, John sought a way to honor his name and legacy of love. Thus, the Will to Live Foundation was born. The foundation is primarily dedicated to raising awareness about teen suicide, but they do so much more.
Being well informed is crucial to helping a suicidal person, especially a young person. And John's experience taught him that kids might be reluctant to share their struggles with adults, so he went against the norm with the foundation's operations. The proceeds from the sales of the book will go to the foundation.
I love many things about the book, but John's strength and faith amid gut-wrenching pain are chief among them. As a parent, I don't know what I would do if I lost a child, but I know I won't be half as strong as he is. Yet, despite his grief, he still finds ways to uplift others. His strength and optimism are incredible.
Also, he knows how to stir emotions with his words. I cried so much while reading the book; I had to take regular breaks to regain my composure. In addition, the pictures of Will he shared made the story even more personal and poignant.
John is a person of faith. Though the book contains instances of religious events and practices, it wasn't preachy. He just shared his story and the things that helped him cope. Above all else, it was the humanity and genuineness of his story and being that spoke to my heart.
Finally, John, through his experience, shows that there is no manual to grieving. It takes as long as it takes. But with the love and support of family and good friends, one can accomplish anything. Hence, he affirms that it's love, not time, that truly heals the pain.
Overall, I rate the book 4 out of 4 stars. It's well-written and heartfelt. The editing is clean as well. I spotted just one error while reading the book.
I would recommend the book to parents, teachers, caregivers, and young readers. It's an excellent resource for coping with grief and sparking conversations about teen suicide. Though it's exhaustive on the subject, it's a good starting point. While the book will benefit people who have lost a loved one to suicide, I understand that reliving the experience might trigger some people. So if you are sensitive to the topic, this book might not be the best for you.
******
My Living Will
View: on Bookshelves |
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