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Margin
What do you do when your life is turned completely upside down in a single moment? How do you continue to live when one of the most important people in your world is stolen from you in such an unfair way? How do you overcome a loss that is deeper than you feel you can handle? What do you do when the heaviness is unbearable and relief from the pain is unattainable?
These were the questions that I faced on September 25, 2022. My thirteen-year-old son, Jonathan Thomas Zerzavy, was returning home from a college football game when the vehicle that he was in was struck by a drunk driver traveling in excess of one hundred miles per hour. At that speed, there was nothing that could have been done to prevent the inevitable. Jon was jolted loose from his seat belt and ejected from the vehicle. His tiny frame could not withstand the trauma that was bestowed upon it, and he was killed instantly.
Resilience is not easy when everything you thought you knew is shattered in a moment. Everything that was a certainty is now overshadowed with doubt, and the things that seemed important in life are no longer as significant as they once were. The journey of healing is extremely difficult, but there is hope when you are hopeless. God can heal you and restore you. He can take a situation that was meant to destroy you and use it to redefine your purpose for being. Even when you can't see it, there is joy to be found in your journey. This book is intended to honor the life of my son Jon, to share his story, and to provide a perspective that has been gleaned from walking the most difficult path that I have ever traversed. After reading this, it is my hope that you are better equipped to navigate whatever challenge is before you and that the perspective gained allows you to both identify and operate in your intended purpose for the rest of your days.
These were the questions that I faced on September 25, 2022. My thirteen-year-old son, Jonathan Thomas Zerzavy, was returning home from a college football game when the vehicle that he was in was struck by a drunk driver traveling in excess of one hundred miles per hour. At that speed, there was nothing that could have been done to prevent the inevitable. Jon was jolted loose from his seat belt and ejected from the vehicle. His tiny frame could not withstand the trauma that was bestowed upon it, and he was killed instantly.
Resilience is not easy when everything you thought you knew is shattered in a moment. Everything that was a certainty is now overshadowed with doubt, and the things that seemed important in life are no longer as significant as they once were. The journey of healing is extremely difficult, but there is hope when you are hopeless. God can heal you and restore you. He can take a situation that was meant to destroy you and use it to redefine your purpose for being. Even when you can't see it, there is joy to be found in your journey. This book is intended to honor the life of my son Jon, to share his story, and to provide a perspective that has been gleaned from walking the most difficult path that I have ever traversed. After reading this, it is my hope that you are better equipped to navigate whatever challenge is before you and that the perspective gained allows you to both identify and operate in your intended purpose for the rest of your days.
102 pages, Kindle Edition
Published February 7, 2025
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Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews
April 23, 2025
“Jon's story is one that emphasizes making the most of each second that we have available to us. Maximize our days. Invest in those people that you love the most at every opportunity that you have to do so. Take advantage of the opportunities you have to make this world a better place. Take time to take care of yourself. Live your life to the fullest. Jon would have, and he would have wanted you to do the same.”
In Margin, Chris Zerzavy opens his heart to share his journey through the unimaginable pain of losing his 13-year-old son. The book invites us to reflect on the idea of “margin”—the emotional, mental, and physical space we need to endure life’s toughest challenges. Zerzavy’s message is powerful: while no amount of margin can fully prepare us for the weight of unexpected loss, building reserves in our lives gives us the strength to keep going.
What stands out most in Margin is Zerzavy’s raw honesty. His story is a beautiful reminder that even when life feels broken, there is always hope. His hard-earned lessons are not just for him but for anyone who has faced adversity. This book is about finding resilience, rebuilding after loss, and embracing the possibility of healing, even in the darkest times.
The final chapter, “Live like Jon,” is where the heart of the book truly shines. It’s a powerful tribute to his son, Jon, and the life lessons Jon left behind: be kind, live with integrity, take chances, and always show love to the people who matter. These simple yet profound lessons feel like a call to live our best, most loving lives.
Margin is a deeply emotional yet uplifting journey. It reminds us that while we may not always have control over the hardships life throws at us, we do have the power to choose how we respond. This book is a testament to hope, healing, and the strength we all carry, even when we feel like we have nothing left.
In Margin, Chris Zerzavy opens his heart to share his journey through the unimaginable pain of losing his 13-year-old son. The book invites us to reflect on the idea of “margin”—the emotional, mental, and physical space we need to endure life’s toughest challenges. Zerzavy’s message is powerful: while no amount of margin can fully prepare us for the weight of unexpected loss, building reserves in our lives gives us the strength to keep going.
What stands out most in Margin is Zerzavy’s raw honesty. His story is a beautiful reminder that even when life feels broken, there is always hope. His hard-earned lessons are not just for him but for anyone who has faced adversity. This book is about finding resilience, rebuilding after loss, and embracing the possibility of healing, even in the darkest times.
The final chapter, “Live like Jon,” is where the heart of the book truly shines. It’s a powerful tribute to his son, Jon, and the life lessons Jon left behind: be kind, live with integrity, take chances, and always show love to the people who matter. These simple yet profound lessons feel like a call to live our best, most loving lives.
Margin is a deeply emotional yet uplifting journey. It reminds us that while we may not always have control over the hardships life throws at us, we do have the power to choose how we respond. This book is a testament to hope, healing, and the strength we all carry, even when we feel like we have nothing left.
August 18, 2025
Great book! Truly inspirational to see how someone can overcome a devastating loss and use it to help others.
Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews