No one is prepared for the loss of a child. No one. It feels completely unnatural for children to predecease their parents. Although it is not widely known, each year there are over 135,000 under 40-year-old deaths in the U.S. alone. And, according to one study, 19% of parents outlive their children—often carrying the weight of horrendous grief to their own graves.

“Isolated and alone” is how parents often describe the grief process. Well-meaning friends and family members usually rush to their side… in the beginning. Once the floral arrangements have wilted, and the dinners from caring friends diminish, there isn’t really much that can be said to bring comfort to a suffering parent, especially if those friends haven’t experienced it themselves. Unfortunately, when these caring friends do bring up the loss, quite often they say the wrong things.

Loss, Survive, Thrive offers a lifeline of hope. Each chapter is an inspirational story written by a parent who also experienced the agony of losing a child, reclaimed his/her vitality, and is now living a fulfilling life. Every story is authentic and heartfelt, designed to uplift and inspire. The collective authors reach out through the pages to virtually hold hands with those who are suffering. We, the contributors, have all been there. We know their pain, and we know about survival. And now, through our stories, we offer comfort and support in helping them get through the toughest time of their lives.

Bereaved parents share an unspeakable bond. And Loss, Survive, Thrive imparts insight from what’s likely the only voices that grieving parents can hear—others who have walked in their shoes. This book is a giant step toward healing the grieving heart.

Meryl Hershey Beck