A Chronicle of Grief: Finding Life After Traumatic Loss

by Mel Lawrenz

Foreword INDIES Book of the Year Award "Eva not breathing. Pray." That text message was Mel Lawrenz's entry into the harsh reality of losing his thirty-year-old daughter. Things would never be the same. How could he and his family cope with this devastating loss? In this narrative of grief, Pastor Mel Lawrenz chronicles how his family struggled to survive the sudden death of their beloved daughter. In raw, vivid episodes, he describes the immediacy of the pain and the uncertainty of what comes next. In the agony of traumatic loss, Lawrenz apprehends the realities of love and life and offers insights on how to navigate our life priorities before or after tragedy hits. You are not alone. You too can find a way forward.

Genres: Nonfiction, Grief

168 pages, Paperback

Published July 21, 2020

Reviews

[Lori Neff · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow. I literally cried all the way through this book (that's an indication of a good book, IMO). I loved the honesty, the raw writing, and the hope. Loss is so very difficult - I lost my father-in-law to ALS over 10 years ago and I still feel the sting. Mel's words helped me process more of my grief. So grateful for Mel and his vulnerability.
Honestly, I think this book is helpful for any kind of loss - job, loved one, dreams, etc. Mel helped me put words to my sudden job loss years ago.

[Sarah · Rating 5 out of 5]

How do we know how to navigate grief and who can help us? Mel Lawrenz was an educator on grief before he experienced it traumatically, first hand. Deeply personal, this book touches down in places of grief we didn't know we had and is honest and vulnerable about its mystery. The book is written so plainly that you are unaware how beautiful it is. It's as though you are hearing someone tell their story across the table. Get it and then give it.

[Paulette · Rating 5 out of 5]

Pastor Mel Lawrenz, after suffering the devastating loss of his beloved daughter, chronicled his grief throughout the coming years. His wisdom and gentle way of communicating the way to finding life again will be helpful for anyone who has suffered trauma. Reading this book will also be a guidebook for those who want to come alongside those who are grieving. Simple advice like saying "I have no words" or "I'm here for you." Highly recommended.

[Panda Incognito · Rating 5 out of 5]

After pastor and author Mel Lawrenz lost his beloved adult daughter to a traumatic medical event, he began to post some of his reflections about grief on Facebook. The reception there led him to contemplate writing a book about it, and I am glad that he did, because A Chronicle of Grief: Finding Life After Traumatic Loss is an intimate, heartfelt, and raw guide that will encourage people going through similar experiences. Lawrenz had previously co-authored a book about grief, and this book’s appendices reprint two of its chapters, but even though I found them insightful, they could not compare to the vivid, detailed, and heartfelt reflections that he wrote in the midst of loss.

This short, simple book made me cry multiple times, and by the end of it, I felt like I knew his daughter at some level. Eva’s personality and passions become evident through his words, and it is obvious from the very beginning how deeply and profoundly he loves her. He writes about how her death has affected his wife and son as well, and mentions how important it has been for them to understand their different methods of experiencing and expressing grief, so that they can support each other and not take it personally when their approaches clash. Lawrenz also writes about other practical aspects of grief, such as packing up his daughter’s books and papers, and he shows how her death has affected him in everyday life, not just in his most obvious, public moments of mourning.

This book is best for someone who shares Lawrenz’s faith, since he weaves a number of different Bible verses and Christian reflections into the book, but because he does not offer platitudes or overspiritualize his pain, his voice can also be credible and reassuring for non-Christians who are walking through similar forms of grief. More than anything, Lawrenz writes in a deeply raw and personal way, reflecting on the flow of seasons, the changes that different years have brought, and the ways that he holds onto his relationship with Eva, even though she is gone. The book is repetitive at times, but so is grief, and people who are dealing with grief’s cyclical nature may find this deeply helpful.

Even though Lawrenz writes specifically about his experience losing an adult child, many of his reflections will ring true to people who have lost loved ones from other types of relationships. Lawrenz addresses common experiences of traumatic loss that supersede someone’s specifics, and this book can be a great comfort to people who are suffering from the death of anyone whom they have deeply loved. I would also recommend this book to pastors, counselors, and caring friends who want to know how to better support someone who is suffering from loss. Although this book speaks to one man’s specific experiences, its themes are universal, and this glimpse into everyday life after bereavement can help people better understand and support the grieving people in their lives.

I received a free copy of this book from the publisher in exchange for an honest review.

[Brandon Charlton II · Rating 3 out of 5]

Great start to the new year. Beautiful yet sad story. My biggest thing is I was hoping for more of a narration on the grief process that was more personal for him . It felt like a bunch of teachings and sermons on grief rather than chronicles .

[Lorna Leavitt · Rating 5 out of 5]

Grief and loss of daughter

Excellent but challenging read. Just the hard painful question and very realistic answers. Great fund set up as well! Read in one sitting!

[Jo Ann · Rating 4 out of 5]

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ A beautiful tribute to a daughter and a helpful guide to those who have been through traumatic loss. I found it to be a simple yet truthful chronicle that many will relate to.

[Martin Spence · Rating 5 out of 5]

Really insightful read. Highly recommended.

[Joshua Douglas · Rating 5 out of 5]

practical and engaging

Raw and breathtaking journey through deep grief. Some incredible verbiage given throughout the book to help walk with people in their darkest days.

[Dorothy Greco · Rating 3 out of 5]

Appreciate Lawrence's willingness to share his grief with us.

[Georgia Herod · Rating 5 out of 5]

A Chronicle of Grief--a narrative of grief.

Mel Lawrenz bares his heart and soul in response to the sudden, unexpected death of his 30-year-old beloved daughter. He describes his pain, his agony, his questions, his sorrow in such a way that readers will walk with Lawrenz on his journey of devastating loss.

In the midst of the pain, Lawrenz is also able to reveal moments of hope along the way.

This book brings to mind others which chronicle the grief and agony of the loss of a beloved. I'd recommend the following: A Severe Mercy by Sheldon Vanauken, A Grief Observed by C. S. Lewis, A Grace Disguised by Jerry Sittser, and The God of All Comfort by Dee Brestin. These writers and their narratives have given hope and courage to me when I was a young widow.