Surviving The Unthinkable [Hardcover]

Losing a dearly loved family member or friend suddenly, unexpectedly, and tragically jars us at our very core. We shudder at the thought of it. When that loss results from a suicide it defies and assaults everything in us. The unthinkable is often considered not survivable. In Surviving the Unthinkable theology professor Don J. Payne exits the classroom and invites you into the chambers of his personal experience of that indescribable loss. This intensely personal narrative traces his process through shock, grief, anger, fear, and a host of unexpected sensations to redemption and hope. Yet, he offers no psychological analysis or formula to make it all OK. Here you will find hope--gritty, realistic hope that will deepen the resources of anyone who walks the unthinkable path of losing someone they love to suicide. Life on the other side of such a nightmare will never be the same, but there is life and it can be good. Don Payne gives voice to the experience in a way that extends a healing hand to any who wonder if they can survive. Having been one of Don's mentors, having sat with him as this tragedy unfolded, I am grateful that the powerful insights in this book will mentor and guide all of us when the painful, unexpected moments may happen in our own lives. I welcome reading this again, and passing it on to many others in their pain-filled times of needing a voice that has been there and lives to tell about it, with honest grace. --Wes Roberts, Founder/CCO/Master Mentor, Leadership Design Group Wow! An amazing primer on grief and grieving. Written by a suicide survivor who reports in depth about how his brother's unthinkable and unsuspected death shocks Payne's soul, mind, heart, and body. I highly valued the author before I received this classic resource for people who try to recover from loss. My careful reading increased my regard for him. If given permission, I will share copies with every client, colleague, and relative who grieves. I will ask if we can prlS(