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Book – Coping With Grief

As parents, nearly all mothers and fathers form a bond with their offspring at the moment of birth. As we parents know, children do not come with instructions, however. The business of raising them to become productive members of society is a roller-coaster of ups and downs. This series of trials and errors helps to define and solidify the parental bond. When that bond is severed by loss, the ensuing chaos sends a grieving parent into a tailspin. When that loss is unexpected and there is no time to prepare, the grief can be particularly debilitating. Parents are not supposed to outlive their children. 

Just as children do not come with instructions for their raising, there are no instructions for how to deal with the grief which consumes us when we lose one. How can one survive the crippling effects of this tragedy? The enormity of that tragedy is compounded when more than one child is unexpectedly lost. As you read my story of the loss of two of my three children, I hope this survivor’s perspective will help to shed light on a very complex and personally-unique emotion and serve as an inspiration for others experiencing the same grief. 

With belief in God, the love of family, support of friends, compassion from strangers, and the passage of time, it truly is possible to overcome the debilitating effects of grief. 

“I am Katlyn’s sister (suicide victim), and I just want to say thank you so much for this book! It really means a lot to me and my mom. It explains everything. The way we feel and all. Losing my sister was the hardest thing I’ve had to go through. It seriously helps so much to read words from someone who actually understands what you’re going through. This is an awesome book!” Nikki D. – Survivor

“I found the content to obviously be worthwhile and your arrangement of ideas to also be very good. It is just a really well thought-out and well-designed tool, which I hope will help a lot of people. Because I did go through it with you to at least some degree when you lost your kids, it was an incredibly hard book for me to read, just incredibly painful to read again about what you saw, what you felt, and what you perceived, but I’m glad that I read it. I can see it really changing some people’s lives who might be struggling to just get by on a day-to-day basis.” Bill R.

“This book will assure some that the feelings they are experiencing are not unusual. Yet, others will realize no matter how bad their situation was or is, there is always someone who has suffered and endured even more. Anyone in our fraternity will certainly find comfort in reading your words and offer up prayers to their God not only for you but also for others who have/are experiencing similar situations.” Tim M. – Survivor

“Chief Rick, so much of what you shared is healing and hopeful and talks about the best of human nature in the caring shown by others. There can be no doubt it will bless many people. You are a very strong person with a lion’s heart. You have written a wonderful book!” Diana M.

“I had the pleasure of meeting Chief Rick Larnerd during the 2019 Police Unity Tour and spent a great deal of time discussing his experiences and dealing with grief. As a 29-year law enforcement professional and a college professor, this book is a must-read. Chief Larnerd’s words place a real value on what is important in life.” Professor James “Chip” R., EdD