Gary Roe - Shattered: Surviving the Loss of a Child

Table of Contents

Praise For Shattered

In Shattered, Gary Roe utilizes the stories and journeys of many bereaved parents to walk the reader from shock to hope. Gary is no stranger to the reality of grief and utilizes his unique empathy and understanding gained though a lifetime of working with the bereaved to create a truly healing book.

Glen Lord, President/CEO, The Grief Toolbox;
President, National Board of Directors, The Compassionate Friends, father of Noah Thomas Emory Lord, who died at age 4

Few people truly comprehend the unique and challenging grief experiences of bereaved parents. Yet Gary Roe not only understands but also offers hope, healing, and compassion from a Christian perspective. As a bereaved parent and also as a professional who has worked with bereaved parents, I would highly recommend Shattered.

Peggy Telg, Independent Bereavement Educator, mother of Michael and Christopher, who died in infancy

Shattered is a sensitive, compassionate, and thorough treatment of an extremely emotional and difficult subject. Bereaved parents and grandparents everywhere will benefit from this heartfelt book and find some healing and hope in its pages. I would highly recommend this book for groups as well.

Paul Casale, Licensed Marriage & Family Therapist and Mental Health Counselor

There isnt a book that can be written to explain exactly how we feel, but Shattered is no doubt the closest Ive seen. This book doesnt only apply to those whove lost a child, but can also help those who are dealing with a friend or family member who has lost a child. Thanks to Gary Roe for helping us speak and giving our shattered lives a voice.

Michelle Jeter, author of A Legacy of a Lifetime and mother of Sydney, who died at age 16

In Shattered , Gary Roe uniquely and delicately addresses the devastating subject of losing a child. This book will be an excellent resource, not only for bereaved parents, but also for those who support them.

Joangeli Kasper, Licensed Professional Counselor

Your grief will be unique because your child was unique. Nevertheless, you will find something helpful in Shattered. Gary offers tons of practical advice about moving through this challenging time.

Cherry Moore, hospice chaplain, artist, and mother of Lew, who died at age 16

Theres nothing more devastating and painful in life than the loss of a child. The challenge of living life after such an event is staggering. Shattered is a source of compassionate insight into a truly difficult topic, the handiwork of Gary Roes efforts to bring hope and healing.

Dr. Craig Borchardt, President/CEO, Hospice Brazos Valley

Shattered is superb. I believe that anyone could read it and find help with their grief after losing a child. It is a thorough, timely, and much needed book that could also be used as an excellent grief counseling reference manual.

Dr. Tony Taylor, Senior Pastor, Hilltop Lakes Chapel

As a mental health professional for three decades, I find great value in Garys presentation of one of the toughest clinical issues to deal with in therapy. Most adults verbalize the loss of a child as one of their top fears. I will keep several copies on hand for families or support folks walking this difficult journey.

Carrie Andree, Licensed Professional Counselor

When my 4-day old Allie died with Trisomy 18, I was numb, sad, and then angry. This book helped me work through each stage of my feelings. I thought I was going crazy and that I would never be the same again. As I was reading Shattered , I started feeling that my mental state was justifiable. It is truly a book of healing!

Ronna Prickett, mother of Allie, who died in infancy

Thank you for purchasing Shattered.

These pages are designed to be an ongoing resource for you in your grief journey. Please dont read this book just once. Pick it up again in 6 months or a year later. Come to it again and again. Each time you will be at a different place. Youll see your progress. Youll be encouraged. And youll find your hope has grown.

As a thanks, please accept this gift an exclusive, free, printable PDF for readers of this book. Download yours today:

Download your exclusive, free, printable PDF:

Encouragement from Grieving Parents

Shattered

Surviving the Loss of a Child

Copyright 2017 by Gary Roe. All rights reserved.

First Edition: January 2017

Published by: Healing Resources Publishing

P.O. Box 194, Wellborn, TX 77881

Cover and Formatting: Streetlight Graphics

All Bible references are from THE HOLY BIBLE, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION, NIV Copyright 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc. Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.

The author is not engaged in rendering medical or psychological services, and this book is not intended as a guide to diagnose or treat medical or psychological problems. If you require medical, psychological, or other expert assistance, please seek the services of your own physician or certified counselor.

Other Books By Gary Roe

Comfort for Grieving Hearts: Hope and Encouragement for Times of Loss

Teen Grief: Caring for the Grieving Teenage Heart (Winner, 2018 Book Excellence Award)

Please Be Patient, Im Grieving: How to Care For and Support the Grieving Heart

(2016 USA Best Book Awards Finalist)

HEARTBROKEN: Healing from the Loss of a Spouse

(2015 USA Best Book Awards Finalist, National Indie Excellence Book Awards Finalist)

Surviving the Holidays Without You: Navigating Grief During Special Seasons

(2016 Book Excellence Awards Finalist)

(co-authored with Cecil Murphey)

Saying Goodbye: Facing the Loss of a Loved One

Not Quite Healed: 40 Truths for Male Survivors of Childhood Sexual Abuse

(2013 Lime Award Finalist for Excellence in Non-Fiction)

Acknowledgments

Special thanks to Anni Welbourne, Kathy Trim of TEAM Japan, and Kelli Levey of Texas A&M for their expertise and assistance in editing and proofing this manuscript.

Thanks to fellow hospice chaplain Cherry Moore and bereavement educator Peggy Telg for their invaluable feedback and input.

Thanks to Hospice Brazos Valley President and CEO Dr. Craig Borchardt for his support and encouragement in developing resources to help grieving people recover, adjust, and heal.

Thanks to Glendon Haddix of Streetlight Graphics for bringing this manuscript to life with superb design and formatting.

Opening Remarks:
What This Book Is All About

The loss of a child is a terrible thing.

Unthinkable, unbelievable, and heartbreaking. Devastating, shocking, and crushing. Paralyzing, shattering, and traumatic. These are a few of the words grieving parents have shared with me. Whatever words we choose, they all fall far short of the reality.

How do we survive this? Can we?

Why I wrote this book

For several years, people have been asking me to write this resource. Honestly, I didnt want to. The mere thought of it terrified me. The death of a child is such a tender, emotionally power-packed subject. Deep in my heart, I was afraid that I would fail and somehow make things even worse.

So I kept putting the idea on the back burner saying, Maybe one day.

About a year ago, a hospice colleague I deeply respect pulled me aside and challenged me. You have to write this book, she said. She had lost two children herself. I began to seriously pray about it.