You Are Not Alone: Teens Talk about Life After the Loss of a Parent (2005) by Lynne B. Hughes, Book Review

 You Are Not Alone: Teens Talk about Life After the Loss of a Parent (2005) by Lynne B. Hughes

This book is raw. At an early age, Lynne lost both of her parents. In 1998, she established Comfort Zone Camp to provide a pleasant and safe environment for grieving teens. She and her campers extend empathy and practical help to teenagers and those who look after them with understanding and compassion. So this book is based on real stories, real people, and real experiences. Parental loss is sometimes referred to as "the loss that is forever," and young people who have experienced it often feel very different from others around them. I'm in the student ministry, so I meet lots of students who lost their parent(s) early in their childhood. When I read this book, I was very moved by their testimonies and also encouraged to know that they are not alone. You are not alone (This is not a Christian book. As a Christ-follower, I can say with confidence that you, by faith, are not alone because Christ is your friend, God is your Father, and the Holy Spirit is within you. Theologically and in reality, you are not alone).

The hardest thing about losing someone you love is that it will never go away. It's hard but you're not alone. "Some of the most reassuring words of all are from other kids like you who are LIVING with the loss of a parent," writes Lynne to one of the teens. Then, she shows some examples. This is a cliche but true: Life goes on, and you need to move on. 'Moving on' means traveling away from the loss, which also means traveling farther away from the experiences with your loved one and filling the space with new experiences and new people. It's not a betrayal or disloyalty. It's you choosing to be a SURVIVOR, not a victim. Like one of the teens, Melissa wrote: "At one point I wanted to give up too. I wanted to leave this world. Then I realized that I couldn't do that because then I would turn out to be just like my mom. You need to know you can get through it. Although it will be hard, you will have your entire life to live." And Abbey also wrote: "Initially it stinks, but you will be able to pick yourself back up and start living again. It is really hard at first, but eventually (at least in my case), you realize they would want you to have a happy life." Wow! Choose to survive!

#ServeToLead #LeadersAreReaders #YouAreNotAlone #TheLossOfAParent #Survivor #Hope #LetsMakeReadingCoolAgain

 To read my other book reviews/summaries, CLICK HERE

THINK BIG. START SMALL. GO DEEP.