Review of The Losing of Gordon by Joni Aldrich

The Losing of Gordon by Joni Aldrich was published by Cancer Lifetime Publications in 2009, ISBN 1-4392-6493-7 is a guide for people who have lost a loved one. The author lost her husband to a rare form of cancer in 2006 and wrote this book as a help to others in grief.

A quote from her preface sums up the message of the book. "When a loved one dies, your house is blown apart by circumstances that were out of your control. And this hurricane won't dissipate in mere hours. You have to work to build a new foundation. Uncertainty, insecurity and change are constant companions. You may suffer from depression and stress. Always remember that your destiny is within you, and you are part of God's plan."

The book is a personal message to all who have lost loved ones, but Joni seems to have a special spot in her heart for widows. Interspersed between chapters are Wall of Dedication tributes to special women who have lost their husbands and rebuilt their lives.

Each chapter of the book begins with a letter to Gordon. These letters are poignant and emotionally wrenching, but help the reader to see a way to cope with his or her own grief. More than once I cried when reading the letters to Gordon, but I realized it might help me to write to my lost loved one.

At the end of each chapter is a short coping tip. Sometimes you can't read or concentrate, so just flipping through the pages and reading in short bursts helps. Joni went on to write other books about coping with cancer and grief which I am looking forward to reading.

Please join me at DreamtimeRadio.com February 24 at 3pm Mountain Time when I will be visiting with Joni on air about her books and the rebuilding of her life.