Heaven's Child: a Mother's Story of Tragedy and the Enduring Strength of Family

by Caroline Flohr

Paperback, 2012

Call number

NWC 920 FLO

Collection

Publication

Book Publishers Network (2012), Edition: 1st, 137 pages

Description

Kirkus Review- "A pointed, intelligently told story of a family accepting loss gracefully. Such a book on one's nightstand, particularly if one is in the midst of the grieving process, could offer solace in a way that fiction never could." "When a child dies, her immediate family members face grief, longing and rebuilding in this true story. Flohr's daughter Sarah was 16 when she died due to a freak car accident. The moment was devastating to her family, particularly her identical twin, Caiti. Yet every member of Sarah's extended clan-including her divorced parents, her stepfather, her elementary school-aged brother and her grandparents-was left wondering how to restart his or her life after the trauma. The author felt this pain more acutely than most; her so-called "failures" as a parent and Sarah's tempestuous nature clashed often, and she found peace elusive. She tries to piece together Sarah's thoughts in the days and weeks before her death in this book and struggles to understand her grief process by taking a bird's eye view of it. " 'There's been an accident, and Sarah has been killed.' The tears begin at that moment," she writes. "I couldn't know then that they would flow for the next five years, every day, and every night." Although her loss was profound, the author managed to put herself outside her own sadness to take care of the tasks at hand: burying her child, repairing the damage to her second marriage, and raising two baby daughters and a son. On the edge of the story is the dazed Caiti, who wanders like a ghost throughout the narrative. The book is most compelling when we see Sarah's side of the story, whether through her own writings or the author's imagined play-by-play of her decision to get into that car on that summer night. The story honestly depicts a real family; the author doesn't sugarcoat the ugliness of divorce or the anger of miscommunication. The book also provides no grand "life lesson," which works in its favor. It shows that Sarah's decision to get into that car that night wasn't an act of rebellion; she was just a teen in search of food and adventure. " - Kirkus Review… (more)

User reviews

LibraryThing member linda58
This is a very touching and well written book. It is a story that touches your heart and I wanted to reach in and hug them all.
LibraryThing member KIPGDK
This novel had me crying from chapter 2 so sad yet empowering. The thought of losing a child cannot even be imagined, the pain that this family went through so intense and real. The strength of the mom throughout leaves you in awe on how she even functioned daily let alone ccared for her 4 other
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children
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LibraryThing member MaryAnn12
SIXTEEN-YEAR-OLD SARAH, younger twin by two hours, wrote "And now it is time for my story to end because we have finally reached the beginning." Did she know? How could she have guessed? Or did she just happen to choose words that had a greater meaning for her life about to be tragically cut
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short?
A big-hearted memoir, Heaven's Child captures the reader with a profound look inside a mother's courageous journey through grief to her ultimate spiritual renewal. From the exquisite pain of loss to the magical buoyancy of hope, author Caroline Flohr intimately shares her family's struggle and reinvention after the unexpected death of her twin teenage daughter, Sarah.

Finding her way back to joy, Flohr reminds us how we all must learn to live presently, love whole-heartedly and when the time comes, gracefully let go. As young Sarah wisely wrote in her high school homework assignment, even an ending can turn into a new beginning.

This universally touching story is an inspired guide showing us all how the human spirit's innate love and resilience can heal, transform and reignite our soul even after life's most tragic losses.

A must-read for all 13 year olds and parents of teens. One poor decision can cause unthinkable suffering for so many people, and no one realizes until one pays the ultimate price. Heaven s Child is a story of caution, vigilance, living in the moment, and being constantly aware that each day could be our last. --Rick Woodbury

A hugely touching and emotional true tale. Heartbreaking. I was already in tears in the first chapter and more so by the end. A fantastic story, heart wrenching at times but so warm and loving. Loved the book! A touching journey that reminds you how each day is a gift. Keep some tissues close by for this honest heartfelt mothers feelings of loss that we can all relate to. Highly recommend for anyone who has lost someone close. Truly inspirational.

There is hope in this world and, although the way may be fraught with difficulty, the destination is worth the journey. At the end of every sunrise, every rainbow, every sunset, the Son of God is there - all we need to do is lay aside the desires of this world and follow Him.

She has bravely shared their hearts and bared their souls in order to give others hope.

There was a feeling of peace and acceptance as the book concluded, was well as a positive message about the continuance of life. Reading it again reminds me each time of what the truly important parts of our lives are.

Sarah's spirit is celebrated and will always be remembered.
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LibraryThing member angelswing
This is such a touching, warm, and heartfelt book. i could really share in the pain and joy of this mother who lost a child whom she loves so much. I think it could help others who may be going through a similar loss.
LibraryThing member berthashaver
The story of a family dealing with the death of one of her teen-age twins in a car accident. I got bored in places - really didn't move along like it should. It had the potential to be a very inspiring book, however, it just didn't do it for me.

Pages

137

ISBN

1937454363 / 9781937454364
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