Rare Bird: A Memoir of Loss and Love

Written by Anna Whiston-Donaldson

Narrated by Hillary Huber

On an ordinary September day, twelve-year-old Jack is swept away in a freak neighborhood flood. His parents and younger sister are left to wrestle with the awful questions: How could God let this happen? Can we ever be happy again? They each fall into the abyss of grief in different ways. And in the days and months to come, they each find their faltering way toward peace.

In Rare Bird, Anna Whiston-Donaldson unfolds a mother's story of loss that leads, in time, to enduring hope. With this unforgettable account of a family's love and longing, Anna will draw you deeper into a divine goodness that keeps us-beyond all earthly circumstances-safe.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Tantor Media, Inc
• Release date: Dec 2, 2014
• ISBN: 9781494577568

Reviews for Rare Bird

[sheiladeeth_1 · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Does God prepare us for terrible events? If so, why doesn’t He stop them from happening? If He answers prayer, why doesn’t He answer the heartfelt prayers of church and family for the life of a child? If He loves us, why does He let us get hurt?Author Anna Whiston-Donaldson has asked all these questions while dealing with grief over the senseless loss of her son. One moment’s decision, one instant’s lack of care, and one unlikely convergence of coincidence, then a life is gone. Then grief is left behind.The author starts her memoir before the accident, introducing a fairly normal family with slightly awkward misfit son, good friends, good neighbors, good church and plenty of good will. Then the worst day ever dawns - so much worse than any childhood complaint.This is a painful book to read, as the author lays bare her inmost feelings of loss and betrayal, guilt, anger and more. “No one has ever told me that grief feels a lot like shame,” she writes, as those who have grieved will surely understand. And “it does get better. But not before it gets worse.”Is it okay to be angry with God? Is it okay not to smile? Is it okay to believe in dreams and take hope from other people’s visions? Then, in the end, is it okay when someone declares that the one they’ve lost is so very “close”?“The veil between ‘here’ and ‘there’ is very thin.” The moment between safe and lost is very small. And the journey to learning that death ends a life, not a relationship? That journey is both short and long, as this memoir reveals. It’s difficult, of course, to read this, especially for anyone with children. But it feels honest. It feels real. Having read it, I feel better prepared for whatever is yet to be, and I recommend this book to anyone facing grief, or imagining it.Disclosure: Blogging for Books provided this book to me for free in exchange for an honest review.

[authordanagoodman · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

An excellent, raw journey into the depths of a mother's heart after losing a child.

[carissaburks-1 · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

This book was raw, captivating, and will tug on your heart strings. You will cry. There's no other way about it. It is a sad book, but it's also filled with hope and new beginnings.The way Anna writes the book is reader friendly and the chapters are never too long. Her language is simplistic, yet beautiful. She is open and honest about her experiences of losing her child. She shares some of her most precious memories of Jack and makes sure not to put him on a pedestal. She shares his triumphs, his downfalls, his quirks, and his joy for the world. Rare Bird is inspiring and a real treasure. A highly recommended read.(*Note I received an advanced readers copy from Blogging For Books in exchange for an honest review.)