By Elsabie van der Westhuizen
This book was written first and foremost to honour God by bearing witness to His nearness and faithfulness in a season of deep trauma and loss. It tells the story of His involvement in our lives before, during, and after the death of our son, and reflects on the moments of grace, comfort, and even miracle that sustained us through unimaginable sorrow. Our hope is that these testimonies will bring encouragement and renewed hope to those who are walking their own road of mourning.
The desire to write this book was affirmed during a writing course I attended with the journalists of Skryfgeheime, where the need for honest, faith-filled reflections on grief was clearly expressed. Yet beyond that confirmation, there was a deep inner urging to share our family’s journey. Central to the book is the role of relationship with God, both within the family and in the life of a child. I also share the personal experiences of each family member, including the mistakes we made along the way, in the hope that honesty may become a bridge of healing for others.
The book concludes with a dedicated chapter on the process of mourning. This section is grounded in our lived experience as a family and is further supported by research on grieving the loss of a loved one. Where appropriate, photographs have been included to help anchor the story in lived reality. My prayer is that our journey may help those in despair to refocus, to accept help, and to discover that they are not alone. Following an interview on Radio Pulpit in the months after our son’s passing, the overwhelming response revealed just how many hearts are quietly crying out for understanding and hope. This book is offered as one such resource, alongside others on the subject, with the understanding that every person’s journey is unique, and every story deeply personal.
EBook
179 Pages
