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The Gift of Goodbye: A Story of Agape Love
Have you loved and lost before, yet struggled with how to recover and move forward? Are you looking for inspiration to give you strength to persevere? Have you faced the inevitable eternal rest of a parent, struggled with how to say good-bye? Have you questioned your faith and let fear take over in times of loss?
In The Gift of Goodbye , Rebecca Whitehead Munn relates how she drew strength from her faith and optimism as everything she knew to be constant in her life was changing. She inspires readers through her natural writing style to believe that they too can persevere and build resilience through the seasons of loss in life. Rebecca opens her heart on each page as she walks us through her story of living through two major life transitions within a three-year span, and the resulting shift she made in the process—due to the lasting gift of love from her now-deceased mother, her courage, and the choice she made to expand into more of who she was at her core.
In The Gift of Goodbye , Rebecca Whitehead Munn relates how she drew strength from her faith and optimism as everything she knew to be constant in her life was changing. She inspires readers through her natural writing style to believe that they too can persevere and build resilience through the seasons of loss in life. Rebecca opens her heart on each page as she walks us through her story of living through two major life transitions within a three-year span, and the resulting shift she made in the process—due to the lasting gift of love from her now-deceased mother, her courage, and the choice she made to expand into more of who she was at her core.
202 pages, Kindle Edition
First published July 18, 2017
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Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews
June 23, 2017
Probably one of the hardest thing for any of us is the loss of a parent or the loss of a child. Ms Munn in this book relates her experiences as she says goodbye to her mother who is suffering from cancer.
What I thought was good is that Ms Munn had a great relationship with her mother and that it is and was able to sustain her through hardship. However, this novel, as much as it had good intentions was a dull trip down memory lane. First and foremost what struck me was that Ms Munn's mother was a saint. There was not a single experience related of her mother being mad, being out of sorts, being angry. She is elevated so much that she really does not seem like a real person with faults and all. Secondly, was that this book went on and on and repeated itself so many times that it wore on the patience of this reader. Finally, there was never really any anger expressed by the author at her mother's lot. She seemed to take it all into her stride and it irked me that she wasn't mad. Mad at God, mad at the world, mad at anything would have been welcomed and shown that she too, was human and was ever so angry that this was happening to a person she loved.
While I applaud Ms Munn's ability to find healing, I just could not bring myself to find authenticity in her feelings. I know if that had been me I would have been raging mad at what fate had dealt to my mother. This book is just too laid back, too repetitive, and way too long for me. I am however, happy for Ms Munn as I am sure writing this book was a cathartic experience for her.
Thank you to NetGalley and She Writes Press for an advanced copy of this book for an unbiased review.
What I thought was good is that Ms Munn had a great relationship with her mother and that it is and was able to sustain her through hardship. However, this novel, as much as it had good intentions was a dull trip down memory lane. First and foremost what struck me was that Ms Munn's mother was a saint. There was not a single experience related of her mother being mad, being out of sorts, being angry. She is elevated so much that she really does not seem like a real person with faults and all. Secondly, was that this book went on and on and repeated itself so many times that it wore on the patience of this reader. Finally, there was never really any anger expressed by the author at her mother's lot. She seemed to take it all into her stride and it irked me that she wasn't mad. Mad at God, mad at the world, mad at anything would have been welcomed and shown that she too, was human and was ever so angry that this was happening to a person she loved.
While I applaud Ms Munn's ability to find healing, I just could not bring myself to find authenticity in her feelings. I know if that had been me I would have been raging mad at what fate had dealt to my mother. This book is just too laid back, too repetitive, and way too long for me. I am however, happy for Ms Munn as I am sure writing this book was a cathartic experience for her.
Thank you to NetGalley and She Writes Press for an advanced copy of this book for an unbiased review.
January 31, 2018
Reviewed by Kimberly Luyckx for Reader Views (1/18)
“The Gift of Goodbye” is a memoir that deals with loss and the subsequent feelings of anger, sadness, depression and acceptance. In the face of a devastating divorce, author Rebecca Whitehead Munn, is unable to cope when she learns her mother is diagnosed with cancer. As Munn’s story unfolds, she begins to view her situation more constructively and sees destruction as an opportunity for growth rather than an obstacle. Delving deeper, she discovers her authentic self by becoming more present in the day-to-day moments. Part of this realization comes from watching her mother, Marjorie, choose to remain optimistic and brave as she rides out the storm of cancer. Marjorie demonstrates to her daughter how to accept a situation rather than wallow in self-pity, and, more valiantly, how to go forth with joy and experience life fully even in the midst of a grave illness. Munn applies her mother’s attitude to her own situation as a recently divorced parent of two young children. She follows her mother’s example and finds a way to emotionally detach from the negativity associated with loss through acceptance and abiding love.
This book is a genuine tribute to Munn’s mother, Marjorie. Most of the story describes how Marjorie copes with two extreme bouts of cancer. By reporting this ordeal, Munn’s book becomes a play by play of the dying process. Most interesting is the section where Munn addresses spiritual topics and works to establish a connection with her mother for the time when the physical bond between the two of them will disconnect. In this way, the author’s story prepares us all for the inevitable eternal rest.
At first, I was confused with the book’s subtitle A Story of Agape Love. Not until the end of the memoir did I fully understand the meaning of the phrase, “agape love.” Although defined in the dictionary as Christian love, I like that the author expands on this by explaining that agape love is the most profound type of love - expansive and all-encompassing and completely selfless for the benefit of another. Munn goes on to tie this understanding into an even larger concept of love. To live each day to the fullest with agape love is to know that you are forever in connection with the spirit of your loved one. In this way, your beloved can be with you in times of pain or joy, covering you with affection and support.
There is some repetitiveness when the story’s background information is relayed. When conveying the history of her mother and father, the author repeats some aspects that are covered in the book’s introduction. In the end, however, it is the honesty of Munn’s writing that makes this memoir worthy of praise. All across the pages she never fails to express the heart-pounding grief as well as the awesome joyfulness she experiences. It is as if we are walking along side her on the path to letting go.
“The Gift of Goodbye” is about accepting faith; it is about overcoming fear to exist in the present moment and it is about opening your heart widely, even when that means exposing yourself to the sadness that comes when a loved one is near death. It is about believing that it is okay to allow the chapters of your life to unfold however they will. If you are facing the task of letting go of a loved one, Rebecca Whitehead Munn’s book can be a guiding light that helps you say goodbye.
“The Gift of Goodbye” is a memoir that deals with loss and the subsequent feelings of anger, sadness, depression and acceptance. In the face of a devastating divorce, author Rebecca Whitehead Munn, is unable to cope when she learns her mother is diagnosed with cancer. As Munn’s story unfolds, she begins to view her situation more constructively and sees destruction as an opportunity for growth rather than an obstacle. Delving deeper, she discovers her authentic self by becoming more present in the day-to-day moments. Part of this realization comes from watching her mother, Marjorie, choose to remain optimistic and brave as she rides out the storm of cancer. Marjorie demonstrates to her daughter how to accept a situation rather than wallow in self-pity, and, more valiantly, how to go forth with joy and experience life fully even in the midst of a grave illness. Munn applies her mother’s attitude to her own situation as a recently divorced parent of two young children. She follows her mother’s example and finds a way to emotionally detach from the negativity associated with loss through acceptance and abiding love.
This book is a genuine tribute to Munn’s mother, Marjorie. Most of the story describes how Marjorie copes with two extreme bouts of cancer. By reporting this ordeal, Munn’s book becomes a play by play of the dying process. Most interesting is the section where Munn addresses spiritual topics and works to establish a connection with her mother for the time when the physical bond between the two of them will disconnect. In this way, the author’s story prepares us all for the inevitable eternal rest.
At first, I was confused with the book’s subtitle A Story of Agape Love. Not until the end of the memoir did I fully understand the meaning of the phrase, “agape love.” Although defined in the dictionary as Christian love, I like that the author expands on this by explaining that agape love is the most profound type of love - expansive and all-encompassing and completely selfless for the benefit of another. Munn goes on to tie this understanding into an even larger concept of love. To live each day to the fullest with agape love is to know that you are forever in connection with the spirit of your loved one. In this way, your beloved can be with you in times of pain or joy, covering you with affection and support.
There is some repetitiveness when the story’s background information is relayed. When conveying the history of her mother and father, the author repeats some aspects that are covered in the book’s introduction. In the end, however, it is the honesty of Munn’s writing that makes this memoir worthy of praise. All across the pages she never fails to express the heart-pounding grief as well as the awesome joyfulness she experiences. It is as if we are walking along side her on the path to letting go.
“The Gift of Goodbye” is about accepting faith; it is about overcoming fear to exist in the present moment and it is about opening your heart widely, even when that means exposing yourself to the sadness that comes when a loved one is near death. It is about believing that it is okay to allow the chapters of your life to unfold however they will. If you are facing the task of letting go of a loved one, Rebecca Whitehead Munn’s book can be a guiding light that helps you say goodbye.
August 1, 2017
On July 18, 2017, Rebecca Whitehead Munn's book, The Gift of Goodbye, was released by She Writes Press. Being a blogger with BookSparks, I was fortunate enough to be included in the book tour for this 280-page debut memoir that shares Ms. Munn's self-discovery, having learned of her mother's cancer diagnosis.
The entire book takes place over the span of a three-year period. Author, Rebecca Whitehead Munn shares her story of struggling through the process of her divorce when her mother was diagnosed with her terminal illness - cancer - right in the middle of it.
I think everyone can relate to this story, as we have all experienced some sort of grief in our lives. This is Ms. Munn's story of finding herself or what she calls a "heart-opening journey" and she shares her shares the truest of conversations between she and her mother as they walk their journeys together.
While Ms. Munn doesn't divulge much about her childhood or the reasoning behind her failed marriage, she does dive right into how she dealt with her mom's situation. As the mother/daughter relationship deepens, Ms. Munn finds the gift of being able to share with her mother from her heart. Readers walk through Ms. Munn's life, including her mom's remission, and then only to realize it was a temporary remission.
I loved how Ms. Munn shares her walk as she transforms from a life full of fear to finally being able to trust God and her faith in Him knowing that He is greater than anything she could understand. She shares how her difficult experiences of divorce and her mother's illness leads her to her own self-discovery. She also encourages readers to change their thinking so they can also discover their true selves.
Her symbol of a purple butterfly was really cool too - it showed the path of a butterfly being similar to Ms. Munn's life journey - transforming from a caterpillar transitioning from its cocoon and emerging into flight in its path of freedom as a butterfly.
As a Christian, I truly appreciated Ms. Munn’s mentioning of a higher power and I felt that it brave of her to be honest about how she felt her mother's soul to say, “I wonder if I am worthy of receiving God".
At the end, Ms. Munn shares the awesome love between a mother and daughter, and it shares with readers the growth of love in her heart as she moved though the process of saying goodbye to her mother. The Gift of Goodbye is a very powerful memoir that truly tugs at the heart, while keeping readers captivated from cover to cover.
I received a complimentary copy of this book from BookSparks in exchange for this post. I was not required to post a positive review, but I chose to do so because I enjoyed the book! Thanks so much!
The entire book takes place over the span of a three-year period. Author, Rebecca Whitehead Munn shares her story of struggling through the process of her divorce when her mother was diagnosed with her terminal illness - cancer - right in the middle of it.
I think everyone can relate to this story, as we have all experienced some sort of grief in our lives. This is Ms. Munn's story of finding herself or what she calls a "heart-opening journey" and she shares her shares the truest of conversations between she and her mother as they walk their journeys together.
While Ms. Munn doesn't divulge much about her childhood or the reasoning behind her failed marriage, she does dive right into how she dealt with her mom's situation. As the mother/daughter relationship deepens, Ms. Munn finds the gift of being able to share with her mother from her heart. Readers walk through Ms. Munn's life, including her mom's remission, and then only to realize it was a temporary remission.
I loved how Ms. Munn shares her walk as she transforms from a life full of fear to finally being able to trust God and her faith in Him knowing that He is greater than anything she could understand. She shares how her difficult experiences of divorce and her mother's illness leads her to her own self-discovery. She also encourages readers to change their thinking so they can also discover their true selves.
Her symbol of a purple butterfly was really cool too - it showed the path of a butterfly being similar to Ms. Munn's life journey - transforming from a caterpillar transitioning from its cocoon and emerging into flight in its path of freedom as a butterfly.
As a Christian, I truly appreciated Ms. Munn’s mentioning of a higher power and I felt that it brave of her to be honest about how she felt her mother's soul to say, “I wonder if I am worthy of receiving God".
At the end, Ms. Munn shares the awesome love between a mother and daughter, and it shares with readers the growth of love in her heart as she moved though the process of saying goodbye to her mother. The Gift of Goodbye is a very powerful memoir that truly tugs at the heart, while keeping readers captivated from cover to cover.
I received a complimentary copy of this book from BookSparks in exchange for this post. I was not required to post a positive review, but I chose to do so because I enjoyed the book! Thanks so much!
August 12, 2017
An okay story. I won this book through Goodreads.
September 19, 2017
I really don't know how to state my opinion without being harsh or myself feeling bad by how I felt about this book.
This book was based on a true story written by the author. The author writes about her struggles that she faced in a time span of three consecutive years. She had the perfect life in marriage, kids, home, family, and jobs. After a while, her husband lost his job and finances were heavy especially with taking care of a newborn and a 2 year old at the time. They decided to get a divorce and she moved away with her two kids to a new home. As if things could not get any better, her mom used to have breast cancer and beat it, but now she developed a new cancer. Depression and anxiety grow as the story continues because every time there was good progress, something came up and everything was bad news again.
I felt like this book was too laggy even though being a short story, under 200 pages, and I read it in less than a hour. The flashbacks and present story telling technique was so confusing because I just felt like it was everywhere. The story was amazing and cry worthy, but the writing style and the way the story was told, just made it so difficult for me to read. What I did like was that she showed how she moved on with her life to do great things not just for her, but for her children as well. Also, how she did not let these two tragic events affect her career and love to keep pushing forward.
Thank you Netgalley and the publisher for giving me this free arc as an exchange for an honest and unbiased review (:
This book was based on a true story written by the author. The author writes about her struggles that she faced in a time span of three consecutive years. She had the perfect life in marriage, kids, home, family, and jobs. After a while, her husband lost his job and finances were heavy especially with taking care of a newborn and a 2 year old at the time. They decided to get a divorce and she moved away with her two kids to a new home. As if things could not get any better, her mom used to have breast cancer and beat it, but now she developed a new cancer. Depression and anxiety grow as the story continues because every time there was good progress, something came up and everything was bad news again.
I felt like this book was too laggy even though being a short story, under 200 pages, and I read it in less than a hour. The flashbacks and present story telling technique was so confusing because I just felt like it was everywhere. The story was amazing and cry worthy, but the writing style and the way the story was told, just made it so difficult for me to read. What I did like was that she showed how she moved on with her life to do great things not just for her, but for her children as well. Also, how she did not let these two tragic events affect her career and love to keep pushing forward.
Thank you Netgalley and the publisher for giving me this free arc as an exchange for an honest and unbiased review (:
Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews