I've Finished Reading "Aftershock - Help, Hope, And Healing In The Wake Of Suicide"

First off, I want to preface this conversation with the fact that on January 8th, 2007, my mom took her own life by overdosing on prescription medication. She was a great woman, and a great mom. She was a single parent who did the best she could to cope with all that life threw at her. Her father died of 3rd degree burns when she was 18, she lost a baby sister to a drunk driver when she was in her early twenties, she was divorced, and she suffered from bi-polar disorder.

As I read this book (one given to me by a precious friend), I could identify with a lot of the feelings, emotions, and sentiments expressed by the folks who shared their story within it's pages. I was pleasantly surprised to learn that the author of the book lives in Spartanburg, SC. I would like to meet him to thank him for providing this book. It may shock the folks who read this to learn that 85% of the US is affected by suicide and the statistics are rather alarming. Someone, if not everyone, much like divorce will be impacted by suicide at some point in time or another.

It's a good book with many good practical suggestions. I would only add to it that knowing Christ, Him Crucified, Resurrected, and Glorified, is the only lasting eternal salve that will heal an open wound left by suicide. The steps and suggestions in this book are extremely helpful and practical and would provide many helps to the wounded soul. But without Christ and the cross at the center of it, all of us are in danger of the downward spiral to where we see no hope.

Thank God and His Son everday that you have hope. It is a gift given to you by God, and you are a gift sustained by God. Thank you David Cox for this book. May it be a precious resource to those who are dealing with this "earthquake".