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James: Never Forgotten
On the evening of August 11, 1977, in a matter of seconds, my life and the lives of my family and friends changed drastically. The car I was driving was involved in a devastating car/pickup accident that claimed the life of my brother James while leaving me with a neck injury, a concussion, and a few other minor injuries.
Forty-four years later, the guilt of being the driver of the vehicle which ultimately took James’s life was eating me up inside. I felt this deep and strong desire to write a book to honor my hero, James. In doing so, it helped me work through my guilt while providing something of personal value to give to my family, his friends, and those who didn’t have the pleasure of knowing James due to his untimely death.
I interviewed my ten siblings and James’s closest friends as a means to gain information about the accident and their perspectives of James and the life he lived. The result is a combination of stories about James, stories that cannot be told without revealing the impactful presence and love of James’s parents and each of his siblings and their families. James lived his faith, loved his family, and had an unlimited passion for competition, especially football. Once you were with James, even if only for a few minutes, you really had no choice but to want to be his friend and join in on his endless and heartfelt fun. While reading about my brother, shed a few tears, laugh out loud, and maybe you will be inspired to live a life like my brother so your legacy will be like James, Never Forgotten.
Forty-four years later, the guilt of being the driver of the vehicle which ultimately took James’s life was eating me up inside. I felt this deep and strong desire to write a book to honor my hero, James. In doing so, it helped me work through my guilt while providing something of personal value to give to my family, his friends, and those who didn’t have the pleasure of knowing James due to his untimely death.
I interviewed my ten siblings and James’s closest friends as a means to gain information about the accident and their perspectives of James and the life he lived. The result is a combination of stories about James, stories that cannot be told without revealing the impactful presence and love of James’s parents and each of his siblings and their families. James lived his faith, loved his family, and had an unlimited passion for competition, especially football. Once you were with James, even if only for a few minutes, you really had no choice but to want to be his friend and join in on his endless and heartfelt fun. While reading about my brother, shed a few tears, laugh out loud, and maybe you will be inspired to live a life like my brother so your legacy will be like James, Never Forgotten.
300 pages, Kindle Edition
Published July 25, 2022
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Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews
August 14, 2022
So touching and inspiring!
Don you are so courageous to share this story of your brother and family. It was great to read about your family's faith journey growing up! Thanks for sharing with us!
Don you are so courageous to share this story of your brother and family. It was great to read about your family's faith journey growing up! Thanks for sharing with us!
September 13, 2022
I mean, you have to give 5 stars when a book is written by family ;)
I loved learning about James's life, but also all the Ridder history.
I loved learning about James's life, but also all the Ridder history.
Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews