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Ultimate Tragedy
There is no greater tragedy that one could experience, but the death of a child. It is the "Ultimate Tragedy". How do you live after the death of a child? It feels as though your world has come to a screeching halt and you can't understand how the world can go on without your beautiful child. You want time to stand still, or better yet to go back in time. People ask how they can help and you look at them and think, can you bring my child back? You are angry, bitter, and confused. How could this happen? Children are not supposed to die before their parents. You feel guilty, even if you couldn't possibly have prevented their death. After all, parents are supposed to protect their children and keep them safe. You are so terribly sad and wonder how you could ever possibly be happy again. Ultimate Tragedy will help answer many questions that a bereaved parent might have. It will also help others to gain a better understanding of what bereaved parents go through.
ebook
First published January 1, 2005
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About the author
Doreen Pchajek
2 books3 followersDoreen Pchajek lives in Ste. Anne, Manitoba (Canada) with her husband Bob Pchajek. They had three children together; two boys and one girl. They were very happy living as a family together until May 29, 1998 when they were faced with the “Ultimate Tragedy”; the death of their only daughter, Stacey Leanne Pchajek. Their lives as they knew them were changed forever. Not only would this be the ultimate tragedy in their lives, but also the ultimate test of their love for each other.
Doreen had always enjoyed writing and there were many people that said she had a talent for writing. The possibility of writing a book had always been somewhere in the back of her mind. She was kept busy being a devoted wife and mother though so it was just something to think about down the road.
When Stacey died at the age of thirteen, the whole family’s lives were thrown into turmoil. After going through six very difficult years it occurred to Doreen that by putting her experiences into a book it could help others who are going through a similar tragedy &/or help others to understand what bereaved parents go through. The thought of helping others was very appealing to Doreen, who was a former nurse (the helping profession) and the next thing she knew she was writing her first book.
Doreen had always enjoyed writing and there were many people that said she had a talent for writing. The possibility of writing a book had always been somewhere in the back of her mind. She was kept busy being a devoted wife and mother though so it was just something to think about down the road.
When Stacey died at the age of thirteen, the whole family’s lives were thrown into turmoil. After going through six very difficult years it occurred to Doreen that by putting her experiences into a book it could help others who are going through a similar tragedy &/or help others to understand what bereaved parents go through. The thought of helping others was very appealing to Doreen, who was a former nurse (the helping profession) and the next thing she knew she was writing her first book.
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January 12, 2013
This is an incredible story!
I remember the accident very well. I had been a reporter for a few years when the press release came across my desk at the newspaper. I hated writing these stories - a car accident claimed the life of a 13 year old girl; someone young, taken too soon; a family left reeling and devastated. My heart broke for the family.
A few years later, I had the pleasure of writing the "upside". I covered a story about a mother who lost her daughter; she had started a bereavement group to help other people cope with their losses. She wrote this book and started a scholarship in her daughter's memory. These wonderful things were part of her recovering from what she called her "Ultimate Tragedy".
I did not know the connection until a few months ago, when the Ultimate Tragedy found my hands. The author attended an event that I was hosting and gave me her book to read. As I poured through the pages - I could NOT put it down; I was engrossed. I felt her pain, grief and guilt; it was evident that she was going through hell and trying to find a way to cope. My heart broke as she spoke of feeling responsible for her daughter Stacey's death. As a passenger in an accident where someone lost their life, I can empathize to a great extent - guilt, legit or not can be crippling. This book left me breathless.
This book is so important; the loss of one's child is unimaginable and something no parent should feel. With heart-wrenching honesty, Doreen Pchajek invites you into her world to join her journey to healing. It takes courage to admit to the emotional agony she felt, and I commend her for finding her voice.
Furthermore, despite life changing injuries sustained herself, she shows remarkable strength and drive to keep her daughter's memory alive; First by starting a bereavement group, the author finds and gives love and support in helping other families recover, some who I know personally. She is also very active with fundraising for the Stacey Pchajek Foundation, which provides a scholarship to graduating students at the Ste. Anne Collegiate.
Ultimate Tragedy is a must read by people on their own journey's and by people who are supporting family or friends - it is a good "do's and don't" manual for those that are unsure of how to be supportive in such situations.
Thank you Doreen, for sharing your story!
Marianne Curtis
Author
Finding Gloria
Moondust and Madness: A collection of Poetry
Finding Gloria ~ Special Edition
Behind Whispering Pines
Brian's Last Ride
I remember the accident very well. I had been a reporter for a few years when the press release came across my desk at the newspaper. I hated writing these stories - a car accident claimed the life of a 13 year old girl; someone young, taken too soon; a family left reeling and devastated. My heart broke for the family.
A few years later, I had the pleasure of writing the "upside". I covered a story about a mother who lost her daughter; she had started a bereavement group to help other people cope with their losses. She wrote this book and started a scholarship in her daughter's memory. These wonderful things were part of her recovering from what she called her "Ultimate Tragedy".
I did not know the connection until a few months ago, when the Ultimate Tragedy found my hands. The author attended an event that I was hosting and gave me her book to read. As I poured through the pages - I could NOT put it down; I was engrossed. I felt her pain, grief and guilt; it was evident that she was going through hell and trying to find a way to cope. My heart broke as she spoke of feeling responsible for her daughter Stacey's death. As a passenger in an accident where someone lost their life, I can empathize to a great extent - guilt, legit or not can be crippling. This book left me breathless.
This book is so important; the loss of one's child is unimaginable and something no parent should feel. With heart-wrenching honesty, Doreen Pchajek invites you into her world to join her journey to healing. It takes courage to admit to the emotional agony she felt, and I commend her for finding her voice.
Furthermore, despite life changing injuries sustained herself, she shows remarkable strength and drive to keep her daughter's memory alive; First by starting a bereavement group, the author finds and gives love and support in helping other families recover, some who I know personally. She is also very active with fundraising for the Stacey Pchajek Foundation, which provides a scholarship to graduating students at the Ste. Anne Collegiate.
Ultimate Tragedy is a must read by people on their own journey's and by people who are supporting family or friends - it is a good "do's and don't" manual for those that are unsure of how to be supportive in such situations.
Thank you Doreen, for sharing your story!
Marianne Curtis
Author
Finding Gloria
Moondust and Madness: A collection of Poetry
Finding Gloria ~ Special Edition
Behind Whispering Pines
Brian's Last Ride
Displaying 1 of 1 review