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Life is Beautiful
"Life is Beautiful: How a Lost Girl Became a True, Confident Child of God" takes you on a full journey of trauma, loss, and finally resilience. While on a mission’s trip in Guatemala, a small Cessna Caravan’s engine blows while carrying fourteen passengers. Unfortunately, the Cessna crashes in a remote village, leaving eleven of the fourteen passengers dead. One passenger, Sarah, shares her story in "Life is Beautiful", about the deaths of her father and brother; her mother’s extreme physical and emotional injuries, and Sarah’s self-discovery to accept this new life.
"Life is Beautiful", however, is more than a story about an airplane crash. "Life is Beautiful" shares the personal struggles of Sarah’s father’s drug use, his recovery, and redemption to be a better person. He gives back by doing missions work in Africa, takes in Sarah’s aunt dying of uterine cancer, and eventually leads their family to the mountains of Guatemala. Sarah also discusses her struggles with alcohol use and depression; where she eventually hits rock bottom. It is not until she starts seeking God through prayer, books, and therapy, where she starts to turn her life around.
"Life is Beautiful" is not only a unique story, but it shows the strength of God’s Will. When all hope is lost, she never gives up on God. This story is a true testimony of God’s love for His people, and when one seeks a spiritual journey and connection with God; He gives back in love, forgiveness, and happiness.
- GenresMemoir
187 pages, Paperback
First published February 20, 2015
1 person is currently reading
172 people want to read
About the author
Sarah M. Johnson
22 books7 followersSarah M. Johnson is currently a graduate student seeking her Marriage and Family Therapy degree. She will graduate in 2015. She graduated with a Bachelor of Science degree in Social Work. After graduating, she plans to open up a private practice office and guide those who are seeking their own self-discoveries of love and happiness.
Sarah believes that adversity is a gateway for change, and that through the difficult times of sorrow, loss, depression, anxiety, relationship issues, trauma, disease, or other mental illness, we can use this adversity to self-explore and change for the better. We must not run away from the adversity, but face it, heal, and use this particular adversity as a learning lesson.
We all have the capacity to be happy and love ourselves; but we must utilize all necessary support systems, medical professionals, mental health professionals, Religious affiliations, (and many more that I am not mentioning) to help us find the Power Within. The Power Within helps us to accept our adversity and create necessary change for a life of love and happiness.
Sarah believes that adversity is a gateway for change, and that through the difficult times of sorrow, loss, depression, anxiety, relationship issues, trauma, disease, or other mental illness, we can use this adversity to self-explore and change for the better. We must not run away from the adversity, but face it, heal, and use this particular adversity as a learning lesson.
We all have the capacity to be happy and love ourselves; but we must utilize all necessary support systems, medical professionals, mental health professionals, Religious affiliations, (and many more that I am not mentioning) to help us find the Power Within. The Power Within helps us to accept our adversity and create necessary change for a life of love and happiness.
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Displaying 1 - 17 of 17 reviews
January 12, 2016
"I remember all of the emotions, the trees whipping by, everything happening so fast, dad yelling, Here we go, and mom screaming, Stop it. I remember my brother Zachary looking back at me, his eyes bright with fear as I prayed God please..."
And so begins Sarah M. Johnson's recollection of the day her life changed forever. She had already been through troubles in her own life, with her dad's drug abuse and alcoholism, and her dad's redemption.
Compounding her dad's problems and Sarah's is her mother's understandable anger for her husband's fall to the dark side of drugs and alcohol. Her anger doesn't help Sarah as her mom attempts to guide Sarah's life in a different direction. And then there's Zach, Sarah's younger brother. It seems as if the youngest in the family tries to hold together everyone else.
Devastatingly tragic and sad, Sarah writes beautifully about all she has been through in her short life. Her ability to cope with being all alone in a foreign country where she doesn't speak the language and where she knows no one is amazing. I often wanted to reach through the pages and grab Sarah and hold her as she struggled to watch her mom recover from her injuries from the crash.
And life didn't become easier for the two women after they arrived back home. Sarah's mom's expectations of her were tremendous. There was no way Sarah could be all things to all people. As Sarah writes about this time, the tension rising from the pages is hot and palpable. You want to get them both into counseling NOW.
I could go on writing all the things Sarah went through but she has written Life is Beautiful, and I should let her tell you her story.
I cannot recommend Sarah's story and her search for hope and a God who can walk this tragic journey with her highly enough. Her writing is so touching, her story so life-affirming in her relationship with God, and when you read her biography, you learn so much more about Sarah.
Today it gives me great pleasure to rate Life is Beautiful as a five-star read. I don't get to do this very often and when I do, it is a gratifying feeling.
My best to Sarah as she continues on with living.
FTC Disclaimer: I received a copy of this book from the author via her publicist, Kelsey McBride of Book Publicity Services, in exchange for a fair and honest review. Opinions expressed are mine.
And so begins Sarah M. Johnson's recollection of the day her life changed forever. She had already been through troubles in her own life, with her dad's drug abuse and alcoholism, and her dad's redemption.
Compounding her dad's problems and Sarah's is her mother's understandable anger for her husband's fall to the dark side of drugs and alcohol. Her anger doesn't help Sarah as her mom attempts to guide Sarah's life in a different direction. And then there's Zach, Sarah's younger brother. It seems as if the youngest in the family tries to hold together everyone else.
Devastatingly tragic and sad, Sarah writes beautifully about all she has been through in her short life. Her ability to cope with being all alone in a foreign country where she doesn't speak the language and where she knows no one is amazing. I often wanted to reach through the pages and grab Sarah and hold her as she struggled to watch her mom recover from her injuries from the crash.
And life didn't become easier for the two women after they arrived back home. Sarah's mom's expectations of her were tremendous. There was no way Sarah could be all things to all people. As Sarah writes about this time, the tension rising from the pages is hot and palpable. You want to get them both into counseling NOW.
I could go on writing all the things Sarah went through but she has written Life is Beautiful, and I should let her tell you her story.
I cannot recommend Sarah's story and her search for hope and a God who can walk this tragic journey with her highly enough. Her writing is so touching, her story so life-affirming in her relationship with God, and when you read her biography, you learn so much more about Sarah.
Today it gives me great pleasure to rate Life is Beautiful as a five-star read. I don't get to do this very often and when I do, it is a gratifying feeling.
My best to Sarah as she continues on with living.
FTC Disclaimer: I received a copy of this book from the author via her publicist, Kelsey McBride of Book Publicity Services, in exchange for a fair and honest review. Opinions expressed are mine.
December 26, 2015
Life is Beautiful is a must read for all. I can't stress just how great this beautiful read is. Life isn't easy, it's difficult. Bad things always happen and sometimes we lose a bit of ourselves along the way. Sarah M. Johnson has brilliantly written a book, that all should keep a copy handy. This book shows readers her journey through life's trials. We are tested every day. Things can go well for us for a time and then unexpectedly fall apart and never be the same again. Here, inside of Life is Beautiful, readers get a first hand glimspe into a young woman's life journey. First, her dad struggles with an issue. Then it's her struggling to love and forgive her father. Her mom is angered and feels betrayed by her husband's fall into the dark side.
The youngest child, the son, feels the pain just like the rest of his family but somehow it's like he holds them together. He tells his father that no matter what, they will always be here for him. That is a showing of true love. Love for a father even when that father betrayed his family and fell off path. His son isn't giving up on him. Later on, there's more family issues that will rock their family way of life once more. A father must learn to be the father and husband that he should be. A daughter ,who needs to learn to forgive and move on, as well as recognize her own bad behavior. A mother and wife stressed out from everything. A son, who watches everything unfold and tries to remain strong. Life is Beautiful, shows us, at the end, that life can indeed be beautiful to us once again. I loved reading this book by Sarah M. Johnson. It will tug at your heart, leave you feeling sad, angered, and scared. It will also, give readers hope. Overall, I highly recommend reading this story. You will love this stunning book and all that it brings.
The youngest child, the son, feels the pain just like the rest of his family but somehow it's like he holds them together. He tells his father that no matter what, they will always be here for him. That is a showing of true love. Love for a father even when that father betrayed his family and fell off path. His son isn't giving up on him. Later on, there's more family issues that will rock their family way of life once more. A father must learn to be the father and husband that he should be. A daughter ,who needs to learn to forgive and move on, as well as recognize her own bad behavior. A mother and wife stressed out from everything. A son, who watches everything unfold and tries to remain strong. Life is Beautiful, shows us, at the end, that life can indeed be beautiful to us once again. I loved reading this book by Sarah M. Johnson. It will tug at your heart, leave you feeling sad, angered, and scared. It will also, give readers hope. Overall, I highly recommend reading this story. You will love this stunning book and all that it brings.
August 5, 2015
I received this book in return for an honest review.
This book was such a beautiful heart touching story.
I don't see how anyone could read this and not cry though. Lol.. I won't lie, I cried like a baby just after a few pages of reading this. This book is also something I believe that God placed in my life because I'm still struggling with my own mother's death. This book has shown me that He is still there for me, I just need to reach out for Him.
When I got to the part of her aunt having cancer, I saw so much of myself and my family in it, that I just broke down squalling. I even ended up telling my sister a bit about it and she agreed that she saw a lot of what we went through there. (She now wants to read the book as well)
Sarah M. Johnson is very brave, IMO. It is not easy to write and share things that are so painful... much less have it published for everyone to see.
My prayers are forever with you.
This book was such a beautiful heart touching story.
I don't see how anyone could read this and not cry though. Lol.. I won't lie, I cried like a baby just after a few pages of reading this. This book is also something I believe that God placed in my life because I'm still struggling with my own mother's death. This book has shown me that He is still there for me, I just need to reach out for Him.
When I got to the part of her aunt having cancer, I saw so much of myself and my family in it, that I just broke down squalling. I even ended up telling my sister a bit about it and she agreed that she saw a lot of what we went through there. (She now wants to read the book as well)
Sarah M. Johnson is very brave, IMO. It is not easy to write and share things that are so painful... much less have it published for everyone to see.
My prayers are forever with you.
October 17, 2015
At first I didn't really like the book because I wanted more faith based but after some time I realized that it's her story. Not every story is rainbows and sunshine, but she really went through a lot and finally she got to a place where she was content.
I could relate with trying to get mother's approval as I struggle with that, and recently discovered that things will never be great. I can only focus on me and that's about it. I really enjoyed this book because she was very authenticate. Which is something that I have been struggling with. I highly recommend this book for anyone who is traveling and needs an easy read.
I could relate with trying to get mother's approval as I struggle with that, and recently discovered that things will never be great. I can only focus on me and that's about it. I really enjoyed this book because she was very authenticate. Which is something that I have been struggling with. I highly recommend this book for anyone who is traveling and needs an easy read.
May 23, 2017
In 2008, an airplane carrying humanitarian workers to a remote village in Guatemala, where they were to build a school, crashed and burned. The crew and most of the passengers were killed; one young woman survived relatively unharmed, though she had lost half her family, and her mother was severely injured. This is her story.
Life Is Beautiful
Sarah’s life had not been an easy one for some time before the crash. Raised outside a small town in rural Wisconsin, Sarah’s family was socially and emotionally isolated. Her father was a recovering meth addict, they’d recently lost a close relative to cancer, and what little social life Sarah had revolved around heavy drinking with her friends.
At college, Sarah met Jacob, a young man who introduced her to a stronger belief in God, but was dangerously flawed; in particular he reinforced her drinking habits. A combination of alcoholism and depression made Sarah’s college career a bust, and Jacob cheated on her, so she had to come home feeling a failure. The Guatemala trip was meant to help mend the family’s fences.
As this book is in the “inspirational” sub-genre, you might expect that Sarah turned her life around after hitting rock bottom, and you would be correct. When she finally accepted the help of a therapist (it isn’t directly stated, but her father’s apparent ability to quit meth cold turkey may have influenced her to try to handle everything solo), Sarah began to be able to process her grief and make progress on recovery from alcoholism. (Finding sober friends and a welcoming church group also helped.)
From a writing perspective, this book is a good example of how real people are far more complex and messy than they generally are shown in fiction. Jacob is a prime example, a fervent believer who introduces Sarah to a personal relationship with her “higher power” but prone to bouts of unwanted preaching and self-righteousness when drunk, and who is a toxic boyfriend for her.
One misstep is Sarah’s breakthrough moment with her therapist, when she can finally tell the story of the crash and its aftermath while allowing herself to feel the emotions associated with it. While it would be a powerful moment if the facts had been concealed up to that point in the book, on paper it’s mostly a recitation of details already covered in the first chapters. This is a short book, and a reader with a decent memory will find this bit redundant.
Recommended primarily to fans of inspirational literature, and older young adult readers who like non-fiction stories as Sarah’s life is of interest. Not necessarily recommended to those currently undergoing the grieving process; Sarah mentions several books that helped her, and those would probably be better choices.
If you would like to purchase the book, please consider getting it new, as part of the proceeds go to Habitat for Humanity.
Disclaimer: I received a free copy of this book to facilitate writing the review; no other compensation was offered or requested.
Life Is Beautiful
Sarah’s life had not been an easy one for some time before the crash. Raised outside a small town in rural Wisconsin, Sarah’s family was socially and emotionally isolated. Her father was a recovering meth addict, they’d recently lost a close relative to cancer, and what little social life Sarah had revolved around heavy drinking with her friends.
At college, Sarah met Jacob, a young man who introduced her to a stronger belief in God, but was dangerously flawed; in particular he reinforced her drinking habits. A combination of alcoholism and depression made Sarah’s college career a bust, and Jacob cheated on her, so she had to come home feeling a failure. The Guatemala trip was meant to help mend the family’s fences.
As this book is in the “inspirational” sub-genre, you might expect that Sarah turned her life around after hitting rock bottom, and you would be correct. When she finally accepted the help of a therapist (it isn’t directly stated, but her father’s apparent ability to quit meth cold turkey may have influenced her to try to handle everything solo), Sarah began to be able to process her grief and make progress on recovery from alcoholism. (Finding sober friends and a welcoming church group also helped.)
From a writing perspective, this book is a good example of how real people are far more complex and messy than they generally are shown in fiction. Jacob is a prime example, a fervent believer who introduces Sarah to a personal relationship with her “higher power” but prone to bouts of unwanted preaching and self-righteousness when drunk, and who is a toxic boyfriend for her.
One misstep is Sarah’s breakthrough moment with her therapist, when she can finally tell the story of the crash and its aftermath while allowing herself to feel the emotions associated with it. While it would be a powerful moment if the facts had been concealed up to that point in the book, on paper it’s mostly a recitation of details already covered in the first chapters. This is a short book, and a reader with a decent memory will find this bit redundant.
Recommended primarily to fans of inspirational literature, and older young adult readers who like non-fiction stories as Sarah’s life is of interest. Not necessarily recommended to those currently undergoing the grieving process; Sarah mentions several books that helped her, and those would probably be better choices.
If you would like to purchase the book, please consider getting it new, as part of the proceeds go to Habitat for Humanity.
Disclaimer: I received a free copy of this book to facilitate writing the review; no other compensation was offered or requested.
March 31, 2020
Holy cow! Sarah grew up in a family of hidden emotions and personal issues (her dad was a recovering meth addict and she had her own issues with failing out of college, depression, and alcoholism). Her family decided to go on a service mission to Guatemala, but their small plane crashed, and 11 out of 14 passengers (including her dad and brother) passed away. Sarah came out physically unscathed–a miracle!–and her mother suffered traumatic burn injuries on her bottom half. This book is how Sarah was able to find her personal relationship with God and how she was able to use how He viewed her to improve and do better.
I couldn’t believe all that Sarah had gone through in her life and what a miracle it was that she survived. I couldn’t imagine being in her place, dealing with a meth addicted father, or having to take care of your injured mother as well as your brother and father’s funerals at age 19 while under the influence of alcohol and depression. Sarah’s story truly is one of courage, faith, and hope. She is the epitome of staying strong. Presently, Sarah is married with children and working on a grad program for family therapy. She wants to specialize in loss therapy because she was so influenced by her personal therapist from her own past experiences. No matter what religion you are, this is a good, uplifting read and will definitely make you thankful for your life!
I couldn’t believe all that Sarah had gone through in her life and what a miracle it was that she survived. I couldn’t imagine being in her place, dealing with a meth addicted father, or having to take care of your injured mother as well as your brother and father’s funerals at age 19 while under the influence of alcohol and depression. Sarah’s story truly is one of courage, faith, and hope. She is the epitome of staying strong. Presently, Sarah is married with children and working on a grad program for family therapy. She wants to specialize in loss therapy because she was so influenced by her personal therapist from her own past experiences. No matter what religion you are, this is a good, uplifting read and will definitely make you thankful for your life!
September 15, 2025
As someone who went to school with Zach, it was both heartbreaking and eye-opening to learn about what he went through at home. It really drives home the notion that you really never know what the people around you are going through.
I am so glad that Sarah found God and has been able to process her struggles instead of letting them her consume her life. I truly pray the best for her and hope that the pain she's gone through can help heal the broken people she comes across.
I am so glad that Sarah found God and has been able to process her struggles instead of letting them her consume her life. I truly pray the best for her and hope that the pain she's gone through can help heal the broken people she comes across.
June 2, 2021
This is a great book for anyone who knows and or has dealt with addiction of a loved one. I greatly appreciated the authors authenticity when writing and it gave me a sense of familiarity when reading. Such a crazy story.
February 17, 2016
*I was given this book for free in exchange for my honest review. All opinions are 100% my own.
Life is Beautiful: How a Lost Girl Became a True, Confident Child of God is the true story of Sarah Johnson and her life. While on an international mission trip, her family's plane goes down leaving fourteen people, including her brother and father, dead. The book documents Sarah's personal struggles related to her father's drug use, her aunt's death from uterine cancer, and her mother's long road to emotional and physical recovery after the plane crash. She herself struggles with depression and alcohol, eventually leading her to seek healing through God and therapy after hitting "rock bottom." It's a beautiful story of God's redemption in the midst of immense tragedy and it clearly demonstrates that even those of us who feel the most lost are not too far gone for God to reach.
While reading the book I was struck by how much this woman had to overcome so early on in her life. I'm not sure you can walk away from this book untouched by her personal story of redemption. I really felt like Sarah's vulnerability and willingness to open up about the darkest parts of her life isn't something you see everyday and it was incredibly refreshing.
The only thing about the book I really struggled with were the parts about Sarah's therapist. Don't get me wrong, I fully believe in the healing power of therapy and it's importance to overcoming addiction, grief, and so on. I wouldn't be pursuing my PhD in clinical psychology if I didn't believe in it. However, I also really believe in ethical practice and I felt like the therapist discussed in this book crossed the line a bit.
I should mention that I'm really sensitive to how therapists are portrayed because there have been so many negative portrayals in the media and pop culture. I'm not sure this book helps our case at all. Unfortunately, I felt the therapist overstepped her role by doing things such as going to the admissions office with Sarah as "a friend of the family, maybe a mentor" and writing her a letter of recommendation. I don't feel like these were appropriate actions for a therapist to engage in. I can elaborate on this further for those interested in why I feel that way.
The only other thing I would have changed were the photos in the book. The photos included were really great but they were way too small to see. They should have been made larger or left out all together.
Despite my qualms about the therapist in the book, I thought Sarah's story was incredibly moving. I don't want to discredit that.
Life is Beautiful: How a Lost Girl Became a True, Confident Child of God is the true story of Sarah Johnson and her life. While on an international mission trip, her family's plane goes down leaving fourteen people, including her brother and father, dead. The book documents Sarah's personal struggles related to her father's drug use, her aunt's death from uterine cancer, and her mother's long road to emotional and physical recovery after the plane crash. She herself struggles with depression and alcohol, eventually leading her to seek healing through God and therapy after hitting "rock bottom." It's a beautiful story of God's redemption in the midst of immense tragedy and it clearly demonstrates that even those of us who feel the most lost are not too far gone for God to reach.
While reading the book I was struck by how much this woman had to overcome so early on in her life. I'm not sure you can walk away from this book untouched by her personal story of redemption. I really felt like Sarah's vulnerability and willingness to open up about the darkest parts of her life isn't something you see everyday and it was incredibly refreshing.
The only thing about the book I really struggled with were the parts about Sarah's therapist. Don't get me wrong, I fully believe in the healing power of therapy and it's importance to overcoming addiction, grief, and so on. I wouldn't be pursuing my PhD in clinical psychology if I didn't believe in it. However, I also really believe in ethical practice and I felt like the therapist discussed in this book crossed the line a bit.
I should mention that I'm really sensitive to how therapists are portrayed because there have been so many negative portrayals in the media and pop culture. I'm not sure this book helps our case at all. Unfortunately, I felt the therapist overstepped her role by doing things such as going to the admissions office with Sarah as "a friend of the family, maybe a mentor" and writing her a letter of recommendation. I don't feel like these were appropriate actions for a therapist to engage in. I can elaborate on this further for those interested in why I feel that way.
The only other thing I would have changed were the photos in the book. The photos included were really great but they were way too small to see. They should have been made larger or left out all together.
Despite my qualms about the therapist in the book, I thought Sarah's story was incredibly moving. I don't want to discredit that.
August 31, 2015
Life is Beautiful: How a lost Girl Became a True, Confident Child of God, by Sarah M. Johnson will hook you from the beginning. I read this book in a matter of hours, unable to put it down. The vividness of the book will take you on an emotional rollercoaster with Sarah as she tells her story.
Sarah walks away from a plane crash virtually uninjured, well at least physically. The memory of the crash, that day, will immediately hook you into the book; but, it is the rest of the book that brings Sarah’s story full circle. During the book you learn more about Sarah’s life and some of the struggles she and her family endured leading up to the crash. Sarah talks about life before the crash, during the time of the crash, and after the crash, often changing time frames with each chapter. By sharing her story in this matter, the reader is able to gain a full picture of Sarah’s life and how God and her relationship with and journey to finding God has shaped her life.
This story is not always pretty. The family had some difficult times: Sarah’s father struggled with drug use, which affected the way he related with his family greatly. He is able to turn his life around and dedicate it to being a better husband, father, and person by choosing a life of serving others. Sarah then struggles with alcohol use herself and her family tries to bring her back in and help her. Ultimately, missions work in Guatemala was going to be a fresh start for Sarah and her family. Then everything changes, and the fresh start Sarah was hoping for, took shape in a much different way. Sarah is strong, but soon learns she is not strong enough as her depression deepens and her alcohol use becomes dependence.
This is a beautiful story about the power God’s Will has in our life, especially when we seek relationship Him. Sarah’s journey to finding God and desiring to be closer to Him enables her to start the journey toward healing and turning her life around.
I am so glad Sarah shared her story. “Life is Beautiful” proves that even the most tragic situations and “ugly” life circumstances help shape who we are, and are ultimately ways we can share a deeper relationship and dependence on God. In our darkest moments, He is there to offer us grace, happiness, and love which is so exquisitely exemplified in “Life is Beautiful.”
This book is very well written and I would give it five out of five stars!
Sarah walks away from a plane crash virtually uninjured, well at least physically. The memory of the crash, that day, will immediately hook you into the book; but, it is the rest of the book that brings Sarah’s story full circle. During the book you learn more about Sarah’s life and some of the struggles she and her family endured leading up to the crash. Sarah talks about life before the crash, during the time of the crash, and after the crash, often changing time frames with each chapter. By sharing her story in this matter, the reader is able to gain a full picture of Sarah’s life and how God and her relationship with and journey to finding God has shaped her life.
This story is not always pretty. The family had some difficult times: Sarah’s father struggled with drug use, which affected the way he related with his family greatly. He is able to turn his life around and dedicate it to being a better husband, father, and person by choosing a life of serving others. Sarah then struggles with alcohol use herself and her family tries to bring her back in and help her. Ultimately, missions work in Guatemala was going to be a fresh start for Sarah and her family. Then everything changes, and the fresh start Sarah was hoping for, took shape in a much different way. Sarah is strong, but soon learns she is not strong enough as her depression deepens and her alcohol use becomes dependence.
This is a beautiful story about the power God’s Will has in our life, especially when we seek relationship Him. Sarah’s journey to finding God and desiring to be closer to Him enables her to start the journey toward healing and turning her life around.
I am so glad Sarah shared her story. “Life is Beautiful” proves that even the most tragic situations and “ugly” life circumstances help shape who we are, and are ultimately ways we can share a deeper relationship and dependence on God. In our darkest moments, He is there to offer us grace, happiness, and love which is so exquisitely exemplified in “Life is Beautiful.”
This book is very well written and I would give it five out of five stars!
May 19, 2016
The book is a memorable account of a person who went through many traumatic things in life almost sequentially, passing through the quantum of grief that can sap, confuse and misdirect almost anyone. After profound losses in all terms physical, mental, emotional and financial she gets back on her feet to live the life that probably she thought she ought to live and deserved to live.
Initially, as you start reading, it got a little overwhelming for me to just keep experiencing only the negative side of life. Being brought up in a non
emotional, routine oriented manner she lacked a loving father(who was almost absent) and was confused if her mother's love was really all that it was.
The chapters alternate with her teenaged airplane tragedy and her different phases for life from childhood till then. She takes the reader from her
childhood apprehensions of understanding what family meant to her to her teenaged issues that had blown up. Father's arrest, he coming back and rejoining with the family, mother's lifeless upbringing and culture that rubbed partially on their childhood, aunt's cancer demise, college and letting loose with drinking and inappropriate bumps due to immaturity/wrong decisions and the final crash that sucked up her family totally.
I was amazed to see a reference of "ICU psychosis" something that resonated with an experience of my own. It was empathizing to read and understand the experience of her mother's long hospital stay and overcoming that 'ambiguous loss'. This one is close to me as life hit me hard when I went that route too.
To say the least, if you are looking for inspiration, wanting to make a change in your life, just intrigued and feel that you are alone in this state of despair;
this book is for you. She has done a good job putting it together and I was amazed that she could come this far despite all the hardships life had to offer.
I am obliged that they sent me a copy of the book in exchange of a honest review.
Initially, as you start reading, it got a little overwhelming for me to just keep experiencing only the negative side of life. Being brought up in a non
emotional, routine oriented manner she lacked a loving father(who was almost absent) and was confused if her mother's love was really all that it was.
The chapters alternate with her teenaged airplane tragedy and her different phases for life from childhood till then. She takes the reader from her
childhood apprehensions of understanding what family meant to her to her teenaged issues that had blown up. Father's arrest, he coming back and rejoining with the family, mother's lifeless upbringing and culture that rubbed partially on their childhood, aunt's cancer demise, college and letting loose with drinking and inappropriate bumps due to immaturity/wrong decisions and the final crash that sucked up her family totally.
I was amazed to see a reference of "ICU psychosis" something that resonated with an experience of my own. It was empathizing to read and understand the experience of her mother's long hospital stay and overcoming that 'ambiguous loss'. This one is close to me as life hit me hard when I went that route too.
To say the least, if you are looking for inspiration, wanting to make a change in your life, just intrigued and feel that you are alone in this state of despair;
this book is for you. She has done a good job putting it together and I was amazed that she could come this far despite all the hardships life had to offer.
I am obliged that they sent me a copy of the book in exchange of a honest review.
Read
January 25, 2016I thought this book was very well written. It sucked me in and I kept wanting more. I also kept forgetting that it was a true story (that's a good thing for me. I love Fiction). When I would remember that I was reading the true story of Sarah's life, my heart would break all over again. Sarah's memoir is more than just the story of her crash. It covers her father's drug addiction and how he overcomes it with little to no help, her aunt's death due to uterine cancer, and her own struggle with alcohol and depression (I didn't really spoil anything. All of this is revealed the back cover).
Sarah's story is a story of redemption. She was already heading down a path to destruction and experiencing such a tragedy threw a wrench in her life that sent her down that path faster. Eventually, she starts going to therapy and with the help of her therapist/mentor she starts to slowly turn her life around. It's not until she truly turns her life to God that she can heal and learn to live with the grief of her loss.
I cried. A lot. I learned a lot about how different people cope with loss differently. My heart broke for Sarah over and over again. Why should a 19 year old have to bare this weight all on her own. I got mad at Sarah as I read about how she kept going back to that destructive life. And I rejoiced with her when she took the small steps to turn her life around.
I highly recommend this book to anybody but especially to anybody who has lost loved ones. You'll learn the importance of learning to live with the loss (but not forgetting it) and how Sarah does that. It's a very inspiring story about how, even after the most tragic of losses, life is beautiful.
Sarah's story is a story of redemption. She was already heading down a path to destruction and experiencing such a tragedy threw a wrench in her life that sent her down that path faster. Eventually, she starts going to therapy and with the help of her therapist/mentor she starts to slowly turn her life around. It's not until she truly turns her life to God that she can heal and learn to live with the grief of her loss.
I cried. A lot. I learned a lot about how different people cope with loss differently. My heart broke for Sarah over and over again. Why should a 19 year old have to bare this weight all on her own. I got mad at Sarah as I read about how she kept going back to that destructive life. And I rejoiced with her when she took the small steps to turn her life around.
I highly recommend this book to anybody but especially to anybody who has lost loved ones. You'll learn the importance of learning to live with the loss (but not forgetting it) and how Sarah does that. It's a very inspiring story about how, even after the most tragic of losses, life is beautiful.
September 20, 2015
This is a tragic but beautifully told story. I cannot even begin to imagine how Sarah, the author, must have felt during her experience. She not only survived what had to have been a terrifying incident, but she lost her brother and father and the relationship with her mother never fully recovered. Sarah is a great writer and I really felt like I was with her, listening to her speak throughout the book. I cried, more than once, while reading this book. It is filled with sadness but also hope. It's really amazing how God brought her out of such a harrowing feat and is now using her to share her story of tragedy, family, and faith.
I'd highly recommend this book. It's a very honest, well written story of loss and self discovery.
I'd highly recommend this book. It's a very honest, well written story of loss and self discovery.
January 7, 2016
Life Is Beautiful is a biography written by Sarah Johnson that begins on the day her plane goes down in the mountains of Guatemala, and the traumatic events that took place including the immediate loss of part of her family. This is a raw and realistic account of all her emotions and the events that led up to that day and her journey of survival and recovery afterwards.
This story focuses mostly on Sarah's physical and emotional story. She also shares how she is able to work toward healing by seeking her "higher power," reading books, and seeking treatment.
This story focuses mostly on Sarah's physical and emotional story. She also shares how she is able to work toward healing by seeking her "higher power," reading books, and seeking treatment.
February 10, 2015
This book is amazing. It brings you through a journey of life, love, and loss. Sarah does a great job showing emotions and making you feel as if you are right there with her. It shows you that life is possible know matter what obstacles lie ahead of you and with God all things are possible. If you are looking for a great read then don't pass this one up! It won't take you long anyway because you won't be able to put it down ;)
April 15, 2015
Amazing
This book is an amazing story of how you can change and overcome when you let God into your life.
This book is an amazing story of how you can change and overcome when you let God into your life.
January 23, 2016
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