The Last Day of Regret

by Matthew J. Diaz

"I don't want to live anymore!" my sister admitted to my parents when she was fourteen years old. This cry for help increased with time and I would not fully grasp her inner demons until years after she died. Was it suicide, was it an accident, was it pre-planned or in the moment? At twenty four years of age my sister's life suddenly ended and all I have left are my broken memories. Why did my compassion stop when she desperately needed it from me? These memories of guilt and the regret that I carry have brought me to my knees. This is a story about God picking me up again after the events leading up to, and following my sister's last breath.

210 pages, Paperback

Published April 1, 2019

About the author

Matthew J. Diaz currently resides in Phoenix, AZ with his wife and four kids. He holds his B.S. in Social Studies Secondary Education and his M.A. in Global Leadership from Fuller Theological Seminary. He has been volunteering, interning and working full-time as a youth director starting in 2001. He was officially ordained as a pastor in 2011, and continues to minister to teenagers in various settings. Currently he is a Bible Teacher at Northwest Christian School teaching the New Testament Epistles for 11th grade students, as well as Graphic Design for multiple grades. He is in charge of student engagement with local missions projects as well as leading one of the school’s several international trips. He will be returning to Cambodia in June of 2019 with a new team of students.

Reviews

[Matthew · Rating 5 out of 5]

An immensely bittersweet book about the big questions of life that naturally occur when faced with death. Matt Jo pays a great homage to his sister in this raw and honest story. He grapples with the fundamental questions of why and ultimately comes up with a renewed purpose for his own life, carrying his sister’s memory and ministry into his own. It’s beautiful to see how God has used such a terrible tragedy to affect so many lives for good. A must read for anyone who has experienced a death of a some one close or will experience it (so everyone). I left this book sharing in my friend’s loss but filled with expectant hope. I can think of no better way to honor a Daughter of the King.

[Shawn Winiecki · Rating 5 out of 5]

A story of hope

This book was recommended to me by a friend. Honestly, the first half of the book I struggled with. Not because of the writing but because it evoked an emotion in me that I honestly didn't like much. First, I didnt like the main character's (author's) behavior and second I felt like he could have been describing me in some of my relationships. Me not liking him was about the conviction of my heart.About half way through the book, actually when the emotionally painful part of the story was told, I couldn't put it down. Although the sadness and heartbreak was real, the author was able to always fill the story with hope! God taught Matt Jo lessons about himself and his sister through the pain yet He also constantly revealed that He (God) was with him and Hannah through every step of their story. This story brings hope to the reader. I am so glad I read it to the end.