Testimonials

 

*****August 26, 2005

Reviewer: Reading Rainbow (Melbourne, FL. United States)

A Stunning achievement for a first-time author ! From cover to cover, this book is a journey we all should take. Be you a parent or son, mother or sister, father or brother, everyone can benefit from the wit and wisdom with which author Pat Forbes speaks about the crushing grief that threatened to swallow her whole after the death of her beloved son. Her triumph over five years of depression and loss is an inspiration for us all!

***** August 31, 2005

Your niece has found an impressive way to help handle a personal tragedy, and to help others in similar situations. And anytime a new author can break into print is a big achievement. She must be a most remarkable woman.

Sincerely,

~Ed

Former writer for Time Magazine for thirty years

***** September 30, 2005

I finished your book!  It was awesome.  Pat I loved it!!!!  Didn't like how
much I cried..... but really I did think it was just an unbelieveable book.
I can't believe you were able to write that.  I hope it's a great hit...it
definitely should be!!!!!  Love you!!!!!    K

***** October 01, 2005

I just wanted to let you know that I read your book. It was very touching and I found myself in tears a few times. The book was well written. The book made me step back and look at my life. It wasn't always easy when I was bringing up my older son by myself. I was lucky to find my husband who treated my son like he was his own when he was 6 years old.

My son went through a period of time where he was drinking alot. He tried to commit suicide by cutting his wrists. It was like a nightmare and it took me a long time to get over it. I still worry when he comes home to sleep. During his drinking days I would also lock my bedroom door and I becane so depressed myself that I went on antidepressants and went to group therapy. I lived in fear that I would wake up one morning and find him dead. He is much better now, thank god. Well after reading your book I feel like I "had it made" compared to what you went through. I hope all is well and good luck with your sequel. I can't wait to read it. ~Anonymous~

***** October 4, 2005

I didn't like it... I loved it! I read it in two days !!!!! ~ K.

***** October 4, 2005

Saturday morning at 5am I was reading Healing Life's Broken Dreams. I finished the book. I could not put it down. It was excellent! ~ J.

***** October 07, 2005

I just found out a few weeks ago that you wrote a book about Louis and I just had to buy it and read it. I just finished it and I am so glad that I read it. It was the most wonderful and heart wrenching book I have ever read. I can relate to almost all of the emotions that you went through throughout your life and when you lost your son. I myself have lost my mom and dad a few years ago. I am on antidepressants too and I am in couseling. Let me just say that your book was a "gift" to me.

I remeber Louis coming into the store and always having a smile on his face and was always polite. I can remember my father saying that when he saw Louis near his house, when my father was out walking, Louis would always wave and say hello and make a comment to us later that he thought Louis was a "good kid" who always says hello wherever he was, he said, "I like kids like that, they had a good upbringing". That meant a lot to my dad. I am glad that you are doing better now and as hard as it is......our lives have to go on. ~ S.

***** October 07, 2005

A reviewer, A friend and co-worker.

An Incredible Journey

This is a must read for everyone! The author tells her bittersweet tale of hopes and dreams, joy and tragedy with dignity and wisdom that comes only from deep within oneself. It is an honor to be a part of this author's life and to watch her as she journeyed through the events of the past 13 years. I look forward to her second book. ~ A.

***** October 14, 2005

Parker Wheeler, Jr., A reviewer.

A Cure for Self Pity

I have suffered many tragedies in my life, but nothing compares to what Ms. Forbes has been through, in such a short time. Without giving away any of the book's contents I admit I was very uplifted by her ability to pull out of what would be for most of us a spiral into permanent depression, drug and alcohol dependency and possibly even worse. This book reveals the true meaning of a Miracle of Recovery. I recommend this book to anyone who has suffered personal tragedy in their lives.

***** November 10, 2005

Pat, what a powerful book!! Myself, my sister and my mother have all read it within one week!
Louis had such a tragic ending to his life -- he was so lucky to be loved by such a special mother.  The bond that you two shared was so strong!  Your book was well written and makes us realize just how precious life really is.  God Bless

Love, D.

P.S. Give Lucky a hug for me.

***** November 11, 2005

Dear Patricia Forbes,    

 I have no words to express to you how very much I enjoyed your book and ached with every one of your pains.  I will never forget it and have passed it on to my daughters and grand daughters.  Just wanted to express my grateful thanks for taking the time to share your life story. 

God Bless    R. 

*****November 22, 2005

Before anything else, Pat, I am so glad you attended the CF mtg Tuesday night.  I was happy to meet you and have a few minutes here and there to chat.  Amazed me to hear that you'd actually attended a support meeting years ago,  then never again until now.  We all seem to have unique experiences following the tragic loss of our child.  And our needs are just as diverse.  I feel so privileged to know you better through the pages of your remarkable book.  And to know so much more about your beloved Louis.  I hadn't read a "grief" book in a very long time so I wondered how I'd feel reading yours.  Well, I can only say, Pat, I loved it .  It was quite unique, different from any other I'd read in the past--and I'd read everything I could get my hands on, believe me.  The autobiographical component--your sharing your childhood past, etc--was a wonderful way to involve the reader in both the joys and the challenges--and tragedies (Charlie) which preceded the worst life's event, the sudden, catastrophic death of Louis.  I knew his mother rather well by then and I could empathize even more deeply and fully with her devastation....and those years of daily struggle which followed.  Pat, I am grateful to have read your book and I would recommend it to anyone who wants something this real to experience vicariously.  It will be an ideal addition to any CF chapter's lending library!  Thank you so much.  A bit ironic that I'd be e-mailing you just two days before the 7th anniversary.  Which just happens to be Thanksgiving Day 2005.  Jarring and constant as our worst loss has been, Pat, we both know how blessed we were to have known, loved, and nurtured our sons.  With love & admiration, your new friend, C.  

P.S. It is no wonder that Louis loved you so much, "way past Jesus".

*****December 11, 2005

Dear Patricia,

My name is A. and your cousin  is a very dear friend of mine.  I followed your journey of compiling this book for the past couple of years.  She was always so eager to share with me your thoughts, your feelings and your emotions. I've never lost a child, in fact I never had any children, yet I lost my husband when I was 40.  Through my grief process I learned how blessed I was to have only  lost a spouse and not a child.  I'll never minimize anyones own personal  loss or grief;  yet I've obtained a rare insight into the feelings of when someone loses a son or daughter.  There is absolutely NOTHING in the world that can compare with that.  My heart deeply aches and my soul bleeds for those of you who have to live with that. Your cousin gave me a copy of your book as soon as she got one.  I immediately sent it off to my mom. 

Friday night she gave me the copy you had signed for me.  As soon as I saw it I got a lump in my throat.  Patricia, I just want you to know I'll treasure it always.  Not just for the story but for what YOU have accomplished.  You're an inspiration to everyone.  I know that with publishing this book your pain is no where near the end.  There is never, ever any closure.  That word means we close the door on the event that happened to us.  Those of us who grieve never close that door.  We just learn to look through it less and to accept what we see when we look through it.

You've made a difference, Patricia.  Bless you.

Sincerely and with admiration, ~ A.

*****March 23, 2006

Dear Pat,

I have just finished reading your remarkable story and wanted to express my sincere sympathy for the loss of your son. A few weeks ago I received an email about your book.   I ordered it immediatley with the intent of giving it to my husband and then reading it myself.  Well I admit, once it arrived ( and I was home alone!) I started to read the first few pages and I knew I couldn't put it down and he would just have to wait a few days until I finished it.   I cannot even begin to comprehend the feelings of despair you must have lived through, but I can tell you this.  Your spirit through this book will touch the lives of so many women who share your loss..the loss of a child.  Those woman may not have the strength or support they need to live through their ordeal and come out on the other side, they may want to give up as you did, but maybe they won't now because they will see they are not alone. 
I know what I took from reading your story.  Life and time are precious, and we should never take them for granted.  I'm sure that each amazing sunrise you see, Louis is smiling down at you, happy to see your spirit had the courage to have survived and to reach out to others.  You are a remarkable woman, thank you for sharing your story, Sincerely, L 

*****April 10, 2006

Patricia,

First let me start of by saying thank you so much for the picture of Lou and
the lovely message you wrote in the book for us. I showed the picture to
my son and he knew exactly who it was when I showed him. The book was
amazing. I am also a single mother and I do get frustrated from time to time
with my son, always having to be the one who does everything all the
time and never having time for myself. After reading your book I will never
take any single moment for granted for the simple fact that anything can
happen at any time. While I was reading the book and got to the part of Lou
telling you that he loves you, "way past Jesus" it touched me a lot.

My son and I have this saying that we use and it is I love you from the earth worms
to the stars. I remember when Lou passed it was so sad for everyone, and now
being a mother I look back on his death and see it in a whole different
perspective. I could never in a million years imagine going through what you
did. You are one of the strongest woman I have ever known (even though I
have never met you). You have been through some of the most traumatic things
through out your entire life and to pull yourself together after so long and
be able to write this book is amazing to me. I wish you happiness and the
best in life as you deserve it. Good luck with everything and again thank
you so much. I am looking forward to the second book.
Best wishes, L

*****December 13, 2007

Hi Patricia,

I just wanted to let you know that a friend of mine gave me one of your pamphlets.  I lost my daughter on 11/24/07 (not a good day for either of us).  I went to your website and it is absolutely beautiful.  I am looking forward to reading your book.  This is the hardest thing I have ever experienced in my life.  I just don't know how I am going to make it through this.  Just looking at your website and reading through it gave me a little bit of hope. I used the same Kenny Chesney song at the funeral it is beautiful he was one of my daughters favorites.

Thank you for sharing that,

C

***** March 10, 2008

Hello,

Monday morning, my 15 year old daughter had an appointment we absolutely could not
miss.  We left my house on a wing and a prayer hoping to get to the gas
station before running out of gas.  I am a single mother of 3, who has
had a string of bad luck the last few weeks.  

The car I was driving Monday morning belongs to a friend
who was kind enough to let me borrow it, but unfortunately the car is
not in any better shape than mine!  Anyway, we literally made it to
Cumberland Farms on fumes, as the car was starting to stall on rte 16,
only to find out my credit card was declined (wonderful way to start
off the week)  There I was, sitting at the pump, 2 cars behind me (Tony
being directly behind me) no way of moving the car, and digging for
change in the car and my purse.  My 15 year old was so embarrassed, and
ready to crawl under a rock.  All I could think was the people behind
me must be saying "lady, move that piece of junk, we have places we
need to go"  My daughter approached Tony to tell him our situation and
to let him know the reason why it was taking me so long.  Tony looked
at me and said "what do you need?"  I said "I can't possibly do that"
and he said "well I can" 

He handed me $5 and said I could mail it to
him.  Neither one of us had a pen, so he gave me your card, told me
where you lived, said I should check out your website and off we went. 
For the rest of the day, I kept saying "nice people do still exist in
this world" 

The next morning, I went to your website and read every
word.  It gave me such inspiration, and yet at the same time I was
ashamed of myself for thinking I have it so bad and pitying myself. 
Monday morning, prior to the whole gas station fiasco, I had been
crying to my daughter saying "I try so hard, and nothing seems to work
out for me"  I was having a total pity party for myself instead of
picking myself up by the boot straps and saying "I can do this, just
stay positive"  Well, your story has certainly put a whole different
outlook on my situation.  I truly believe people come into our life for
a reason, a season or a lifetime, and this was definitely for a
reason!!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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