CHOICES: A journey of loss, life, justice, and forgiveness

by Tiki Finlayson

Have you ever had something happen in your life that you thought you would not survive, and the grief that it brought was as thick as fog and you couldn’t see tomorrow? Have you ever experienced emotional pain to the point that your body hurt all over, and in the moment the thought crosses your mind that you wanted to die?

This is where Tiki Finlayson found herself in July 2011. Her life was forever changed through one of the most unimaginable experiences life could throw at her. While trying to figure out how to say goodbye to the life she had known, she reached for courage and strength to find the key to unlock the door and be free to live again. It was not an easy journey neither coming out of the fog nor walking through grief, loss, life, and justice into forgiveness and a life of motivating others to do the same. She did it with determination to change her world as well as those around her by making one choice after another.

In this book you will discover how your CHOICES matter, and how they impact those around you in a positive or negative way. You will find how one choice can change your whole life. Through the pages of this book you will learn there can be new life in loss, freedom in justice, and real forgiveness is within your reach no matter the circumstance. As you read CHOICES Tiki’s hope is that her journey will encourage you to think before reacting in tough situations, and will inspire you to live your best life one choice at a time.

153 pages, Kindle Edition

Published August 1, 2020

Reviews

[Cassie Stone · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read the entire book in 2 days. I could not put it down! I enjoyed that the book did not go in order of events throughout, it went in order as it should giving the reader a chance to really understand the author's journey. It dives deep into the very raw and sometimes painful feelings of forgiveness and grief. The book forced me to really think about how I process my own feeling and really gave me an energized sense of faith. I look forward to reading it again just so I can see if there are hidden gems I missed the first time. Disclosure: I met the author at her son's funeral and she has been an inspirational light in my life since. I highly recommend this book to anyone who has interest in seeing what the journey to forgiveness can be like.

[Dixie Rene' · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have never read a book like CHOICES before. I believe it will impact everyone who reads it. It's very eye opening to things you might have never thought of before. Like, how you CHOICES impact, not only your family and friends, but people you didn't even know existed. Your CHOICES can impact in a negative or a positive way. A bad choice can bring heartache & pain, but a good choice can bring a blessing to many. That's what happened in CHOICES. A bad choice brought tragedy, but a the good choice of forgiveness brought a blessing and love. Like the author says, "One choice can change your whole life forever."
I would encourage anyone to read CHOICES who has had a tragedy, or is in a place where they don't feel that they can forgive the person who hurt them. It could set you free from a prison of anger and bitterness that you have locked yourself in.
CHOICES do matter. I am the mother of Tiki Finlayson, the author of this book, and like she says, Forgiveness is Freedom. I'm glad I made that choice.
Dixie Rene' Bell

[Jenny Klein · Rating 5 out of 5]

CHOICES is an inspiring testament to how all our CHOICES affect others, be it good or bad, each choice of ours impacts others. “You find how one CHOICE can change your whole life!”
This read is truly a description of a Mother’s journey through an incident you won’t expect. You will see how one bad CHOICE can turn to heartbreak & loss, but also how good CHOICES can affect not just your life, but many around you, even people you do not know. “Together we could make a difference & impact the world!” This quote from the book isn’t just a trite saying of “Positivity” that is forced upon you by society, but an all too TRUE statement to how one small CHOICE can make a difference in not just your tomorrow but everyone’s tomorrow that you “meet”. Our CHOICES truly do make a difference! Read this inspiring book

[Natalie Leibold · Rating 4 out of 5]

I just finished reading CHOICES and found that the content is so real to my mommas’ heart that I had to pause for a few minutes to let the feelings settle a little before reading on. Although I haven’t dealt with the same circumstances, I found that the principles for forgiveness and freedom translate well to other areas of life. The detail used by the author really makes the reader feel like they were experiencing the healing and freedom that came after the devastating loss of her son. For me, that very thing was happening as I read. We all have a choice in our responses to the very difficult and heart wrenching things this world sends our way. CHOICES gives hope that when we allow God to work through us, even the tragedies will bring Him glory.

“forgiveness is possible and that it truly brings freedom.”

[Faye Duffy · Rating 5 out of 5]

I've known the author of this book since she was young. But I have to say, her writings in this true story, of her experience of loss and how she came though it all, is truly spectacular! It didn't seem like I was reading a book, it was like I was actually there, walking with her, through it. It is heart moving and life changing. I think it is a must-read. I also believe anyone who reads this, most touching true story, will forever be glad they did!

[Paula Harlow · Rating 5 out of 5]

“CHOICES” is the raw and honest account of a mother’s worst nightmare and how she turned tragedy into triumph. It’s a story of loss, pain, and forgiveness. Be prepared - you will run the gamut of emotions while reading “CHOICES”. If you have lost someone or something you love through the careless actions of another, you need to read this book. You will be inspired and challenged to do what you think you cannot do - forgive.

[Amber Bell]

This book is breath taking! I knew parts of this story, but this book has a way of putting all the pieces together. Most definitely a great testimony of faith, forgiveness, peace, leadership, strength. Really enjoyed this book! Normally hard for me to read and complete a book, but this was hard to put it down.

[Krystal Channell · Rating 5 out of 5]

What an inspiration!

This is now one of my favorite all time books. The strength and forgiveness in Tiki's story is amazing and inspiring. It will teach you how to forgive and the importance of it even when we don't think we can. It is a must read book for everyone. Thank you Tiki for sharing. I am so blessed to have read this.

[CW Seepe · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book will inspire you to be the best version of yourself. Tiki Finlayson the author of CHOICES gives a Mother's view into her pain and grief of losing her son in a tragic accident. Grief was a fog in her life that seemed like it would never lift for her. She chose to walk in forgiveness toward the person who caused the accident. Her words will encourage and motivate you! I highly recommend this book.

[Lisa · Rating 5 out of 5]

Choices draws you into the author's journey of experiencing the unimaginable nightmare of losing a child and what would be unforgiveable for many parents. What transpired in the days, weeks, months and years following that horrific day will not only leave you speechless and in tears but also bring joy in knowing that there is hope in the very darkest of times.

[Patty Boyd · Rating 5 out of 5]

CHOICES takes you on a journey through a wide range of emotions and some of the hardest decisions a mother never wants to even imagine making for her child. Tiki's journey will have you sharing in her sorrows, anger and hope as you experience her nightmare from the phone call with the dreadful news to the gamut of emotions that arise in suffering and pain caused by the actions of another person. Whether you are suffering from the loss of a loved one or dealing with the "death" of unresolved relationships, shattered hopes and dreams and personal past failures, CHOICES will inspire you to move forward into a place of forgiveness and new life that only comes when you make the right CHOICES.