Grief: A Mama’s Unwanted Journey – by Shelley Ramsey – A Real Treasure

I didn’t set out to read Shelley Ramsey’s book Grief: A Mama’s Unwanted Journey.  But when the opportunity presented itself I decided to go for what might be a soul-wrenching subject. 

I knew that because this was Shelley’s personal story about the loss of her son Joseph it might be hard to read and stir up an uneasy feeling within.  At times it was painful to read about Joseph’s death and how Shelley, her husband Phil and their sons Curt and Wyatt dealt with their grief in the days, weeks, months and years that followed.  Yet, I felt I could learn something from them.  Indeed, I did learn.

I learned about the importance of grief when we lose a loved one and about a unique grief that’s experienced when it involves the death of a child.  I learned that everyone handles and experiences their grief differently.  I learned that I don’t need to fear that grief will kill genuine faith in God and people need time to grieve.  I learned that sometimes the best response to someone going through grief is just to be there with them, be quiet, listen, pray, help where I can, and cry with them and to hold them. 

I really liked Shelley Ramsey’s book Grief: A Mama’s Unwanted Journey.  It’s a place where life and death meet and faith and grief wrestle.  Shelley shared what she went through in a very open, transparent and real way.  At times it was painful and gritty…but this was a good and beneficial book to read. 

We will all experience grief in our life and come alongside those who are grieving.  After reading this book I feel I have a better appreciation for something I can’t really understand until I experience it myself. 

I would recommend this book to anyone who is grieving the loss of a loved one.  Or for people who have family and friends going through a season of grief.  Or for Christians who don’t quiet feel comfortable or know how to respond to someone who is grieving.   This is a powerful book and I will read it again. 

I thank Shelley Ramsey for sharing a very personal and painful time in her life.  May the Lord use it to help others in their grief.

I would like to thank people at BookLook and WestBow Press for the opportunity to read Grief: A Mama’s Unwanted Journey in exchange for an honest review.  I was under no obligation to give a favorable review.