Gratitude in Grief: Finding Daily Joy and a Life of Purpose Following the Death of My Son

by Kelly S. Buckley

Gratitude In Grief chronicles a mother's journey into the unimaginable—the death of her son. This is a personal journal of reflection in the days following the death, and the unexpected approach she took in dealing with her grief that changed her forever. To the surprise of many, this mother made a choice to look for "one little thing" to be thankful for each day while coping with her loss. She survived by cataloguing every small blessing she saw—from feeling grateful for her relationship with God to being thankful that she had a few hours alone to fall apart and grieve. Each blessing was a message that hope is never lost and love never dies.

This daily gratitude changed the process of her grief, but also sparked a reflection on life, purpose, and faith that has changed the author forever. By documenting the events surrounding her son's death in the days and months afterward, Kelly Buckley gives readers a firsthand glimpse at the unbreakable bonds of love, the power of gratitude and the freedom that purpose in your life grants you. Through heartache and humor it provides hope and a nontraditional path through grief for those suffering loss in their own lives. An absolute read for anyone experiencing loss and a wake-up call for others to be present in your life, to listen to your inner voice, and to live your life to the fullest.

In Gratitude in Grief, Buckley poetically shares her journey with readers, chronicling the challenges and the setbacks, as well as the moments of grace she found in the midst of grief. Her book will reassure others that they don’t have to be alone in their pain and set them on the path to healing.

356 pages, Kindle Edition

First published February 5, 2010

Reviews

[Tara LaFon · Rating 5 out of 5]

Kelly takes readers on an emotional and profoundly personal journey through the darkest days of her life following the devastating loss of her son, Stephen. This heartfelt memoir is not just a chronicle of sorrow but a testament to the resilience of the human spirit and the transformative power of love and gratitude.

From the very first page, Kelly’s raw and unfiltered honesty draws readers into her world of unimaginable pain. The narrative is deeply moving, capturing the reader's heart as they witness the depth of a mother’s love and the excruciating agony of losing a child. Kelly’s prose is both lyrical and piercing, providing a stark and authentic portrayal of her grief journey.

Yet, amid the sorrow, there emerges a remarkable story of hope and healing. Kelly delves into how, through the support of her family, friends, and faith, she began to find small glimmers of light in the darkness. Her journey is a testament to the power of human connection and the importance of allowing oneself to feel and express grief fully.

[Delores · Rating 5 out of 5]

Just as each person grieves differently, each person will find that specific grief books resonate with them better than others. Having read several grief books lately, this one was a five-star. Kelly's authenticity in her words, feelings, and thoughts immediately following the death of her son hit home for me. I did not read this book immediately after the death of my son. If I had, I doubt I would have remembered much, nor would I have had the capacity to let her message sink in. By chance or fate, many months into my grief journey, Kelly's book was mentioned in another book, and at that point, I was searching for a message of hope within grief. This book provided me hope and allowed me to see that even on our darkest days, there are things worthy of our gratitude. It doesn't mean the dark days are behind me, but looking for and reflecting on something to be thankful for each day can help make those days a little bit better, slowly easing me back into not just being alive but guiding me toward living with intention.