Love, Mom: A Mother's Journey From Loss to Hope

by Cynthia Baseman

Loss is universal. Each of our responses to it is unique. After Cynthia Baseman delivered a stillborn daughter in 1995, she embarked on a journey of healing and a search to find happiness and meaning in life again. Writing letters to her daughter and drawing strength from the natural world became the basis of her recovery and a tool to manage the strain on her marriage. In Love, Mom she shares what happened to her and offers hope to those that find themselves grieving for a loved one.

Genres: Grief

208 pages, Paperback

First published September 5, 2006

About the author

Cynthia Baseman is the author of the #1 Amazon New Release Young Adult/Teen novel in social issues WEIRDOS WELCOME. She writes stories that sit at the intersections of healing, humor, and humanity. From a deeply personal memoir Love, Mom: A Mother's Journey From Loss to Hope about a mother’s journey through grief, to a Lip Monsters: Momo Motormouth a whimsical children’s series created to spark curiosity, to her newest YA novel celebrating neurodivergent first love, she's drawn to the moments that make us feel most alive. She lives in Los Angeles with her husband, rescue pup and several chatty cockatiels.

Reviews

[Howard Kaplan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loss is always around us, as is the need to come to terms with it or sink. Cynthia Baseman second child, a girl, succumbed in utero at a late stage. Under such stress, good marriages often crumble. A graduate of the USC Film School, Baseman writes movingly and terrifically about the anything but straight forward journey and the attempt to reach out to her daughter through the darkness. All of us can learn from that journey.

[April · Rating 5 out of 5]

A beautifully-written memoir of love, loss, and hope. Equal parts gut-wrenching and cathartic, with a deep insight that comes from fundamental truth. Well-worth the read.

[Mary Davis · Rating 4 out of 5]

I found Ms. Baseman's book to be an honest and emotional journey through love and loss. I too, suffered a similar loss over 33 years ago. It would have been extremely helpful to read a book like this at that time because I truly felt alone and isolated with my thoughts. One reviewer was critical of the fact that the hospital took pictures of her baby. I was resistant at first but I too, had a few pictures taken of my son and am now very happy I allowed it. I have never shown them to anyone but, every so often I look at them and reflect on the past. This to me is a very personal decision.

I recommend this book to anyone who may have suffered a similar loss or those who might know someone who has gone through it. The feelings are somewhat unexplainable but with the perspective of this book, the reader may find some peace as I have.

[Brittany · Rating 4 out of 5]

I received this book for free via the Goodreads First Reads program.

This book went through the author's struggle with a stillbirth. It was incredibly sad, yet it did have a happy ending (yay for Harrison!). While reading it, I kept hoping and praying that I never have to go through such a thing.

I would especially recommend this book for people who have gone through this themselves.

[RaeBeth · Rating 4 out of 5]

I was lent this book by a friend after I had give birth to my daughter who was stillborn. While readying Cynthia's story, I came to see that there may be hope withing the future after all. Her story touched me. I would recommend this book to all angel parents out there if their lost and looking for hope.

[Cynthia Baseman · Rating 5 out of 5]

I wrote this book as a love letter to my daughter who was stillborn. My wish is that those mothers who are searching for a way to cope with the loss of their child will find some solace within its pages. Cynthia Baseman, Author

[Amanda Woods · Rating 4 out of 5]

My heart broke for Cynthia and then throughout the book I felt as if it was my heart healing. I was hoping by reading her story it would in some way help me with mine. Thank you Cynthia for sharing your loss and for also giving hope

[Victoria Cryer · Rating 4 out of 5]

An honest, emotional journey and one which gives hope that there is light after tragedy. I also like that the story emphasises that loss is loss and there is no right or wrong way to grieve.

[Silvia Corradin · Rating 4 out of 5]

I read this whole book in 2 hours, a record for me. Her story mirrored mine in many different ways.

[Amy Labadie · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read this back in 2012 after the loss of my own baby, very similarly to the loss of sweet Samantha. This was one of several books I found very helpful to my healing journey. I was so moved that I actually reached out to Cynthia and Neal at the time to thank them for writing this book. I finished reading the book in less than 24 hours. I felt chills reading some of their words, so similar to my own, and I also sobbed, but in a good way :).

[Lesley Goldberg · Rating 5 out of 5]

A great read!
Reviewed in the United States on September 29, 2020
Love, Mom was raw. The author’s honesty reminded me that pain and grief needs time and space to be processed. Reading Love, Mom reminded me to exercise more empathy and understanding because you never know what a person is going through on any given day. Very good lessons learned.

[Breezie Castell · Rating 5 out of 5]

Cynthia’s writing feels like a hug. A tragic story beautifully written. So much love for Cynthia.

[Nancy S · Rating 3 out of 5]

The first third of this book is heartbreaking. Then it slows down a bit, and becomes kind of tedious.