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9/11 #2
Beyond Tuesday Morning
The hope-filled sequel to the bestselling One Tuesday Morning In this new novel by Karen Kingsbury, three years have passed since the terrorist attacks on New York City. Jamie Bryan, widow of a firefighter who lost his life on that terrible day, has found meaning in her season of loss by volunteering at St. Paul’s, the memorial chapel across the street from where the Twin Towers once stood. Here she meets a daily stream of people touched by the tragedy, including two men with whom she feels a connection. One is a firefighter also changed by the attacks, the other a police officer from Los Angeles. But as Jamie gets to know the police officer, she is stunned to find out that he is the brother of Eric Michaels, the man with the uncanny resemblance to Jamie’s husband, the man who lived with her for three months after September 11. Eric is the man she has vowed never to see again. Certain she could not share even a friendship with his brother, Jamie shuts out the police officer and delves deeper into her work at St. Paul’s. Now it will take the persistence of a tenacious man, the questions from her curious young daughter, and the words from her dead husband’s journal to move Jamie beyond one Tuesday morning. “Jamie Bryan took her position at the far end of the Staten Island Ferry, pressed her body against the railing, eyes on the place where the Twin Towers once stood. She could face it now, every day if she had to. The terrorist attacks had happened, the World Trade Center had collapsed, and the only man she’d ever loved had gone down with them. Late fall was warmer than usual, and the breeze across the water washed over Jamie’s face. If she could do this, if she could make this journey three times a week while Sierra was in school, then she could convince herself to get through another long, dark night. She could face the empty place in the bed beside her, face the longing for the man who had been her best friend, the one she’d fallen for when she was only a girl.”
320 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 2004
364 people are currently reading
4356 people want to read
About the author
Karen Kingsbury
208 books12k followersKaren Kingsbury, #1 New York Times bestselling novelist, is America’s favorite inspirational storyteller, with more than twenty-five million copies of her award-winning books in print. Her last dozen titles have topped bestseller lists and many of her novels are under development with Hallmark Films and as major motion pictures. Her Baxter Family books are being developed into a TV series slated for major network viewing sometime in the next year. Karen is also an adjunct professor of writing at Liberty University. In 2001 she and her husband, Don, adopted three boys from Haiti, doubling their family in a matter of months. Today the couple has joined the ranks of empty nesters, living in Tennessee near five of their adult children.
See more at: http://authors.simonandschuster.com/K...
See more at: http://authors.simonandschuster.com/K...
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 432 reviews
May 31, 2022
OH MY GOSH!!!! This story destroyed me so much! Beyond Tuesday Morning is the second book in the 9/11 series written by Karen Kingsbury. I wasn't born yet when 9/11 happened, but reading this story made it feel like I was right there. Beyond Tuesday Morning broke my heart the same way the first book did. This story was absolutely so touching, it pulled on my heart strings and had me sobbing. With every turning page it felt like I was standing right next to Jamie Bryan. I will never forget this story and how much it broke my heart. I often found myself cheering Jamie on to keep pushing through.
It has nearly been three years since Jamie Bryan lost her husband Jake Bryan on September 11th, 2001 in the Twin Towers saving people's lives as a firefighter. Sierra is now in second grade. Jamie thinks Sierra will forget her dad because she was so young when the Twin Towers fell. Jamie now volunteers at St. Paul's, the memorial chapel across the street where the Twin Towers once stood. Jamie volunteers there because she believes that's what Jake would want her to do, help other people affected by this sad, heart-breaking tragedy. So many people lost loved ones on the fall of the Twin Towers. Jamie has found her love for God, and tries to help so many other people connect with God and pray as much as they can.
Jamie is on the ferry one morning heading to St. Paul's when a group of troubled teenagers stop her at gunpoint, but little does Jamie know that two Los Angeles police officers are on the ferry witnessing this whole thing. The only thing Jamie can think of is that Sierra would be without both of her parents, so, Jamie prays that nothing will go wrong. Jamie meets police officer, Clay Michaels. Jamie gets to know Clay and instantly feels drawn to him, but when she finds out Clay is Eric's brother, she's at a loss for words. Eric is the man who looks exactly like Jake and stayed with Jamie and Sierra for three months when he had amnesia and had no clue who he was. Jamie and Eric both vowed to never see each other again when Eric said his goodbyes and went back home to his family in California once he remembered exactly who he is.
In Beyond Tuesday Morning Sierra learns from her best friend Katy what really happened to her father. Katy's father, Larry was Jake's best friend, they both died right next to each other in the Twin Towers. Sierra learns that one of her classmates has a second daddy, so, Sierra thought it would be so cool if she got one too. Sierra is so fond of Clay, and forms a bond with him. One night Jamie is reading Jake's bible and she has found a note that Jake left her that says "choose life and move on Jamie". My heart hurt so much for Jamie and Sierra, I wanted nothing but the best for both of them moving forward. Beyond Tuesday Morning tore my heart to pieces.
Why do I read books that just break my heart into a billion little pieces?
It has nearly been three years since Jamie Bryan lost her husband Jake Bryan on September 11th, 2001 in the Twin Towers saving people's lives as a firefighter. Sierra is now in second grade. Jamie thinks Sierra will forget her dad because she was so young when the Twin Towers fell. Jamie now volunteers at St. Paul's, the memorial chapel across the street where the Twin Towers once stood. Jamie volunteers there because she believes that's what Jake would want her to do, help other people affected by this sad, heart-breaking tragedy. So many people lost loved ones on the fall of the Twin Towers. Jamie has found her love for God, and tries to help so many other people connect with God and pray as much as they can.
Jamie is on the ferry one morning heading to St. Paul's when a group of troubled teenagers stop her at gunpoint, but little does Jamie know that two Los Angeles police officers are on the ferry witnessing this whole thing. The only thing Jamie can think of is that Sierra would be without both of her parents, so, Jamie prays that nothing will go wrong. Jamie meets police officer, Clay Michaels. Jamie gets to know Clay and instantly feels drawn to him, but when she finds out Clay is Eric's brother, she's at a loss for words. Eric is the man who looks exactly like Jake and stayed with Jamie and Sierra for three months when he had amnesia and had no clue who he was. Jamie and Eric both vowed to never see each other again when Eric said his goodbyes and went back home to his family in California once he remembered exactly who he is.
In Beyond Tuesday Morning Sierra learns from her best friend Katy what really happened to her father. Katy's father, Larry was Jake's best friend, they both died right next to each other in the Twin Towers. Sierra learns that one of her classmates has a second daddy, so, Sierra thought it would be so cool if she got one too. Sierra is so fond of Clay, and forms a bond with him. One night Jamie is reading Jake's bible and she has found a note that Jake left her that says "choose life and move on Jamie". My heart hurt so much for Jamie and Sierra, I wanted nothing but the best for both of them moving forward. Beyond Tuesday Morning tore my heart to pieces.
Why do I read books that just break my heart into a billion little pieces?
September 21, 2025
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
An excellent sequel to “One Tuesday Morning.”
An excellent sequel to “One Tuesday Morning.”
August 29, 2024
On the eve of 9/11 I wanted to read the 9/11 series by Karen Kingsbury. The 1st time I read this book I didn’t like it. I’m glad I gave it a reread. I liked it so much more the 2nd time thru. The story was solid and I liked the love story. I liked how her late husband gave her advice through his Bible, choose life. It was beautiful. I love the faith content in every book by Karen Kingsbury. I am so glad I reread this book!!
May 4, 2015
In Karen Kingsbury's sequel to One Tuesday Morning, this novel really delivers in allowing Jamie Bryan to grieve and move forward with life post loss. So many books and stories just end, but I'm so unbelievably thankful that Karen Kingsbury took Jamie's story to the next level. Finding God and love after losing the love of her life took a lot of crafting, and Kingsbury didn't disappoint! A must read.
This book also touches on the importance of acting on your faith. So many people say they know God and live for Him but don't really turn to Him or seek to know Him more. This story tells how important Jake Bryan's Bible and journal were - not only in his life, but in the lives of so many others. Eric Michaels and his family are united once again because of Jake's journal and Bible. Not only that, but Jamie has come to find God in her life and isn't able to share that faith with her Godly husband. His Bible and journal are the ways she accomplishes that and feels closer to him. It's her way of walking her faith journey with him.
This book also touches on the importance of acting on your faith. So many people say they know God and live for Him but don't really turn to Him or seek to know Him more. This story tells how important Jake Bryan's Bible and journal were - not only in his life, but in the lives of so many others. Eric Michaels and his family are united once again because of Jake's journal and Bible. Not only that, but Jamie has come to find God in her life and isn't able to share that faith with her Godly husband. His Bible and journal are the ways she accomplishes that and feels closer to him. It's her way of walking her faith journey with him.
August 27, 2011
I enjoyed reading this book, although I found it a bit predictable and figured out what was going to happen in the book before getting to the end.
After the tragic loss of her husband on 9/11, Jamie Bryan has to learn what it is like to live without a spouse and takes on trying to heal as well as being a single parent. She wonders if she will ever be able to love again and lives daily in the shadow of memories that make it difficult for that healing to begin. After the 9/11 tragedy, Jamie comes to faith in Jesus Christ and finds that He alone helps her get through each day. Through Jake's (her husband who was a fire fighter killed in the 9/11 attack on the World Trade Center) Bible and notes in the margins from his study of the scriptures and prayer, Jamie is prompted to "choose life" and live. She meets a man and finds herself falling for him. Will she learn to live and love again? Read this terrific book that is part of the 9/11 series to find out what happens. To learn more about the 9/11 series and the author, Karen Kingsbury, go to: www.karenkingsbury.com
After the tragic loss of her husband on 9/11, Jamie Bryan has to learn what it is like to live without a spouse and takes on trying to heal as well as being a single parent. She wonders if she will ever be able to love again and lives daily in the shadow of memories that make it difficult for that healing to begin. After the 9/11 tragedy, Jamie comes to faith in Jesus Christ and finds that He alone helps her get through each day. Through Jake's (her husband who was a fire fighter killed in the 9/11 attack on the World Trade Center) Bible and notes in the margins from his study of the scriptures and prayer, Jamie is prompted to "choose life" and live. She meets a man and finds herself falling for him. Will she learn to live and love again? Read this terrific book that is part of the 9/11 series to find out what happens. To learn more about the 9/11 series and the author, Karen Kingsbury, go to: www.karenkingsbury.com
January 30, 2024
Great story about Jamie and Sierras life after Jakes death. Jamie is facing each day the only way she knows how, by volunteering and honoring the victims of 9/11, until something unexpected happens and she meets a man named Clay. She definitely doesn't feel at all okay with or ready for the emotions she feels when she meets him, and the journey of healing and acceptance she has to take in this book is such a great story about moving through grief. Jamie really has to battle within herself through some pretty tough stuff to get free of the grief that's ruled her life since losing Jake on 9/11.
I loved Jamie and Sierras characters from the last book and was pleased this second book really built upon the story line from the first book. Through the majority of the first book, Jamie was so heavy with grief, there was a heaviness surrounding her character. I loved seeing that heaviness start to lift in this book and see Jamie experience joy. I also loved Clays character and loved how he was a man full of faith and godly values. I also loved his relationship with little Sierra. It's clean and faith based. It's through faith that relationships are built, healing and restoration are possible, and internal battles are won.
I'd definitely recommend reading the first book, One Tuesday Morning, before reading this one, because the story lines do indeed build upon each other. You won't be able to fully grasp the depth of everything that happens with most of the main characters if you haven't read the first book. Although this book doesn't have any of the suspense of the first book, the story line still went pretty deep and at some points were heavy.
I loved Jamie and Sierras characters from the last book and was pleased this second book really built upon the story line from the first book. Through the majority of the first book, Jamie was so heavy with grief, there was a heaviness surrounding her character. I loved seeing that heaviness start to lift in this book and see Jamie experience joy. I also loved Clays character and loved how he was a man full of faith and godly values. I also loved his relationship with little Sierra. It's clean and faith based. It's through faith that relationships are built, healing and restoration are possible, and internal battles are won.
I'd definitely recommend reading the first book, One Tuesday Morning, before reading this one, because the story lines do indeed build upon each other. You won't be able to fully grasp the depth of everything that happens with most of the main characters if you haven't read the first book. Although this book doesn't have any of the suspense of the first book, the story line still went pretty deep and at some points were heavy.
February 1, 2021
Wonderful sequel to One Tuesday Morning. I liked that we got to stick with Jamie Bryan and her daughter, Sierra, to find out what happened to them beyond their massive loss in the first book in the 9/11 series. I especially enjoyed the scenes in Sierra’s POV, when she discussed things with her kitty, Wrinkles. What a fun name for a cat, and those moments were precious.
It was wonderful to get Clay Michaels’ perspective in this book. We already knew him from the previous book, as he’s Eric’s brother, but now Clay got to fully step into the spotlight. His story was one of hope and second chances and overcoming obstacles. I enjoyed getting to know him better this time around.
The only weird thing about this book is that Clay twice fell in love with women his brother had first fallen in love with. This felt odd to me, like Clay couldn’t find his own women and “stole” them from his brother, in a way. This could just be my personal perception, though.
Content: drugs, strip bar
It was wonderful to get Clay Michaels’ perspective in this book. We already knew him from the previous book, as he’s Eric’s brother, but now Clay got to fully step into the spotlight. His story was one of hope and second chances and overcoming obstacles. I enjoyed getting to know him better this time around.
The only weird thing about this book is that Clay twice fell in love with women his brother had first fallen in love with. This felt odd to me, like Clay couldn’t find his own women and “stole” them from his brother, in a way. This could just be my personal perception, though.
Content: drugs, strip bar
December 3, 2025
4.25 stars
Completed: Sep. 09/25
Series: 9/11, #2
Format: e-book borrow (Libby)
Challenge Prompt: CNL’s #22 of 50 — “featuring a firefighter or other emergency responder” - MMC is a police officer and the other suitor is a firefighter
Book #115 of 2025: I enjoyed reading more of Jaime's story. This starts three years after 9/11 happened. She meets Clay and they deeply connect on a personal level. Due to a misunderstanding, she thinks his last name is Miles. Later they both discover the truth and it shocks them to the core. How could this possibly work? Clay is the brother to Eric, the man who everyone initially thought was her first husband after the tragedy, including her and her daughter. They had agreed to never see each other again.
Of course, it's all way too coincidental to be believable but it makes for an intriguing story. Plus, God can do the impossible.
I appreciate how Jaime's adjustments and growth from widowhood are realistic. Though she didn't see herself falling in love again, God made a way to eliminate her doubts and fears for the right man and her late husband's words to "choose life."
A verse that I am reminded of as I read the first two books of this series is Romans 8:28: "And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose."
I see there is a third book but I personally would have preferred Sue'a story or Aaron's story to round out this series.
I enjoyed this book, as well as book one. It's an awful time to look back upon but healing always includes moving forward with memories in our hearts and minds.
NOTE: I read a copy through Libby and there were numerous errors. Random punctuation marks in odd places.
Completed: Sep. 09/25
Series: 9/11, #2
Format: e-book borrow (Libby)
Challenge Prompt: CNL’s #22 of 50 — “featuring a firefighter or other emergency responder” - MMC is a police officer and the other suitor is a firefighter
Book #115 of 2025: I enjoyed reading more of Jaime's story. This starts three years after 9/11 happened. She meets Clay and they deeply connect on a personal level. Due to a misunderstanding, she thinks his last name is Miles. Later they both discover the truth and it shocks them to the core. How could this possibly work? Clay is the brother to Eric, the man who everyone initially thought was her first husband after the tragedy, including her and her daughter. They had agreed to never see each other again.
Of course, it's all way too coincidental to be believable but it makes for an intriguing story. Plus, God can do the impossible.
I appreciate how Jaime's adjustments and growth from widowhood are realistic. Though she didn't see herself falling in love again, God made a way to eliminate her doubts and fears for the right man and her late husband's words to "choose life."
A verse that I am reminded of as I read the first two books of this series is Romans 8:28: "And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose."
I see there is a third book but I personally would have preferred Sue'a story or Aaron's story to round out this series.
I enjoyed this book, as well as book one. It's an awful time to look back upon but healing always includes moving forward with memories in our hearts and minds.
NOTE: I read a copy through Libby and there were numerous errors. Random punctuation marks in odd places.
July 24, 2014
It's been three years since 9/11. Jamie spends her free time volunteering, trying to help others, but she still isn't really healed in her own heart. Her daughter Sierra is now 7, and already beginning to lose some of her memories of her daddy. Will they ever be whole?
This may be fiction, but it's still instructive. Beyond Tuesday Morning contains both an adult and a child's understanding as it moves through gentle conversations about the hardest of questions: about death, and life, and love, and when - or if - to move on.
This may be fiction, but it's still instructive. Beyond Tuesday Morning contains both an adult and a child's understanding as it moves through gentle conversations about the hardest of questions: about death, and life, and love, and when - or if - to move on.
September 16, 2015
This sequel to one Tuesday morning was so good! I loved it as I loved the first book! It was about a tough subject, the first one about 9/11, and this one about Jamie getting passed the death of her husband and moving on. Choosing life as she puts it in this book! It shows us how God is so good! How he can work an evil thing to bring good to us! One thing I loved about this, is how Karen lets us even see in the eyes of Sierra Jamie's little girl! I loved getting to see some of the story through that 7 year old little girl's eyes! I totally recommend this book!
August 15, 2020
I usually just rewrite the title, but this time I had to type hope. This story yes, started with me tearing up once more, yet it was so filled with love and hope that I held joy and moving on with life. I hoped and figured somehow that Clay and Jamie would get together and this was the answer to my hope. I love this double love story with not only hearts but a relationship with God. I'm looking forward to the next book.
September 22, 2008
What a compelling read! For a Christian author, Kingsbury always tackles the most interesting and intense topics with ease. I am a Christian and sometimes I have a hard time with Christian fiction because it can be very boring! Not Karen's books...she acheives her purpose while enticing the reader to finish the book.
June 13, 2012
I found this book to be very good. I could tell what was going to happen, but I always enjoy trying to figure out how an author is going to let it develop! I am going be honest, reading these books has brought me closer to my faith and brought me to the point of extending my learning. So if anything, that is one thing that these books have done.
March 5, 2010
After reading a few Karen Kingsbury books, they all run together and sound similar. This one was no exception.
November 9, 2012
Beyond Tuesday Morning is an amazing book. It consists of happiness, sadness, tragedy, identity, and true love. I definitely recommend this book.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
February 6, 2021
Jamie Bryan's story three years after her fireman husband was killed in the twin towers. We get to see how she and her sweet daughter Sierra have dealt with their grief, still facing obstacles, but added joys.
Lovely.
Lovely.
October 11, 2024
Three and a half stars...
The audiobook was a bit melodramatic, and in the beginning I wasn't enjoying the novel.
However, about halfway through the novel took a strong stance in perspective (of which I appreciated) and I was drawn back in. A good follow-up to the first novel.
The audiobook was a bit melodramatic, and in the beginning I wasn't enjoying the novel.
However, about halfway through the novel took a strong stance in perspective (of which I appreciated) and I was drawn back in. A good follow-up to the first novel.
September 12, 2018
AAAAHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!
September 16, 2020
I absolutely loved this book about how to keep trusting God even when life is difficult.
July 29, 2022
I enjoyed the depth of this book and the slow development of the theme. Well written, and full of vivid scenes!
April 28, 2024
I liked book 1 better. This one got a bit predictable and sappy
January 1, 2019
This was an excellent sequel. The characters are so well written and it’s a beautiful story. Again, I recommend this book to all.
January 10, 2018
A great follow up to the first book. It is a little unbelievable but fun and inspiring.
February 17, 2021
I enjoyed reading this second book in the series about grieving in the aftermath of 9/11. A little easier to read than the first book in the series!
March 27, 2008
"Life's a fragile thing…September 11 taught us that…For those of us who remain – all of us touched by that day, we need to find strength and hope in Christ, and to do the thing He asks us to do." So states one of the main characters of Karen Kingsbury's novel, Beyond Tuesday Morning, a heartwrenching look at the survivors of the greatest terrorist attack America has ever known.
Quite honestly, like most Americans, I had put the horror of 9/11 behind me. I had not forgotten – I don't know how anyone could forget – but I did turn my thoughts away from the millions who struggled to move on with their lives.
Kingsbury's novel takes us inside the mind and heart of Jaime, a firefighter's widow who strives to move on with her life, even while she keeps herself trapped in the past. The novel is a sequel to One Tuesday Morning, a story that I did not read but eagerly look forward to, despite knowing how it ends. Three years after the loss of her husband, Jaime must determine whether to explore another relationship or remain faithful to her husband and none other.
Carefully, and with help from her daughter, her Heavenly Father, and her husband's memory and scriptures, Jaime completes the grieving process. As she does so, she made me remember that even three years after the loss of the World Trade Center, families still struggled with the loss of spouses, parents, and children. Through Jaime, we see St. Paul's chapel and many other grieving survivors, and my heart went out to them all. I cannot imagine the loss of my husband or children, especially in such an inexplicable, violent, public way.
Kingsbury deals with a very personal situation in a sensitive and caring manner. I found Jaime's struggle, her back-and-forth conflict, realistic and heart-rending. At the same time, her faith in Christ touched me. I appreciated seeing her, so strong in faith, going through such struggles because it is gratifying to know that struggling to understand does not equal a loss of faith. Jaime maintains her faith even as she works through her grieving process, and ultimately, following the her lost husband's admonition, she chooses life over death.
There were a few nitpicky complaints I had – I wondered why Jaime didn't work, for instance, and didn't learn the answer until after the novel was 2/3rds of the way complete. I assume that was covered in the previous story, but it still made me wonder. Also, I thought the addition of a only a few words – 'it sounded like' or 'she thought he said' – when Clay gave his name would have saved on a little confusion.
That said, these were the only faults I found with the story, and they are very minor indeed. The story gripped me and drew me in, keeping me up reading all night. The next book I intend to get ahold of is One Tuesday Morning, followed by basically every other book Kingsbury has published thus far. Despite putting me in tears three or four times – or perhaps because of it – this was one of the best books I have read in some time, and I look forward to a repeat performance.
Quite honestly, like most Americans, I had put the horror of 9/11 behind me. I had not forgotten – I don't know how anyone could forget – but I did turn my thoughts away from the millions who struggled to move on with their lives.
Kingsbury's novel takes us inside the mind and heart of Jaime, a firefighter's widow who strives to move on with her life, even while she keeps herself trapped in the past. The novel is a sequel to One Tuesday Morning, a story that I did not read but eagerly look forward to, despite knowing how it ends. Three years after the loss of her husband, Jaime must determine whether to explore another relationship or remain faithful to her husband and none other.
Carefully, and with help from her daughter, her Heavenly Father, and her husband's memory and scriptures, Jaime completes the grieving process. As she does so, she made me remember that even three years after the loss of the World Trade Center, families still struggled with the loss of spouses, parents, and children. Through Jaime, we see St. Paul's chapel and many other grieving survivors, and my heart went out to them all. I cannot imagine the loss of my husband or children, especially in such an inexplicable, violent, public way.
Kingsbury deals with a very personal situation in a sensitive and caring manner. I found Jaime's struggle, her back-and-forth conflict, realistic and heart-rending. At the same time, her faith in Christ touched me. I appreciated seeing her, so strong in faith, going through such struggles because it is gratifying to know that struggling to understand does not equal a loss of faith. Jaime maintains her faith even as she works through her grieving process, and ultimately, following the her lost husband's admonition, she chooses life over death.
There were a few nitpicky complaints I had – I wondered why Jaime didn't work, for instance, and didn't learn the answer until after the novel was 2/3rds of the way complete. I assume that was covered in the previous story, but it still made me wonder. Also, I thought the addition of a only a few words – 'it sounded like' or 'she thought he said' – when Clay gave his name would have saved on a little confusion.
That said, these were the only faults I found with the story, and they are very minor indeed. The story gripped me and drew me in, keeping me up reading all night. The next book I intend to get ahold of is One Tuesday Morning, followed by basically every other book Kingsbury has published thus far. Despite putting me in tears three or four times – or perhaps because of it – this was one of the best books I have read in some time, and I look forward to a repeat performance.
December 11, 2014
Of course it doesn't help when you find out that the person you know suffered ungodly agonizing pain before he died and that it took him 20 minutes before he (possibly?) died but not knowing b/c the only thing you know for sure is that he screamed before the phone was disconnected. He could have lived the rest of the time for all *I* know, just injured instead of in one piece. All kinds of OTHER people lived almost up until the very end, for the whole 102 minutes his tower was in flames. Then died when the building collapsed and not a minute before that.
I suppose that the only way I'll ever find out any of those things for sure is to listen to the tape of his last minutes, but I've never been ABLE to. No amount of "coaxing" myself to "be strong, just do it" has EVer brought me any closer to finally listening to his final minutes and nothing IMO ever will at this point.
I'm content to trust the person who last spoke to him (while his last words were inadvertently recorded by the machine which picked up a second before this person did.)
I've NEVER been THAT curious that I just have to know what the last moments sounded like. Besides that, I really WAS a firefighter/medic. I can almost guess the last moments without having to HEAR them for crying out loud.
NObody's THAT strong unless it's in movies or books, where every writer and producer lives by the rules that make up the 6 Major Myths of how to grieve a loss of ANY type, not just that caused by death. Which are all wrong, but which almost nobody wants to believe.
I had no choice in the matter, b/c it was taken from me after that happened. I couldn't pretend that "time was going to heal the wound" or "to keep busy and I'd 'forget it happened,' " or "don't feel bad" or "grieve by yourself."
What happened annihilated every myth of grief that there was. You couldn't grieve alone b/c reminders were everywhere, even at the airport for god's sake. You couldn't not feel bad, b/c it would make a liar of you and time did nothing but pass; it didn't have magic healing power and keeping busy is a joke. You might as well drink to forget as soon as keep busy. The result is the same; once you're no longer busy (or no longer drunk) it came right back along with the reminders everywhere.
Every book I've read since my discovery of The Grief Recovery Method has done nothing for me in terms of feeling any better.
I didn't feel joy or completion just b/c I read a book about someone "choosing life" after her husband died at the World Trade Center.
Anyway, it's painfully obvious that the writer never lost someone that day and that way.
Or else I'm the only person who after losing a loved one to violent death CAN'T make a sharp separation of the person and put him in my past. How can you do that when your daughter looks and acts just LIKE him?
I don't believe I'm the only person who can't compartmentalize feelings that way. One spills into another at least a little, and there's no way you can put him in the past and never think of him again. Even if you DO marry a new man.
I suppose that the only way I'll ever find out any of those things for sure is to listen to the tape of his last minutes, but I've never been ABLE to. No amount of "coaxing" myself to "be strong, just do it" has EVer brought me any closer to finally listening to his final minutes and nothing IMO ever will at this point.
I'm content to trust the person who last spoke to him (while his last words were inadvertently recorded by the machine which picked up a second before this person did.)
I've NEVER been THAT curious that I just have to know what the last moments sounded like. Besides that, I really WAS a firefighter/medic. I can almost guess the last moments without having to HEAR them for crying out loud.
NObody's THAT strong unless it's in movies or books, where every writer and producer lives by the rules that make up the 6 Major Myths of how to grieve a loss of ANY type, not just that caused by death. Which are all wrong, but which almost nobody wants to believe.
I had no choice in the matter, b/c it was taken from me after that happened. I couldn't pretend that "time was going to heal the wound" or "to keep busy and I'd 'forget it happened,' " or "don't feel bad" or "grieve by yourself."
What happened annihilated every myth of grief that there was. You couldn't grieve alone b/c reminders were everywhere, even at the airport for god's sake. You couldn't not feel bad, b/c it would make a liar of you and time did nothing but pass; it didn't have magic healing power and keeping busy is a joke. You might as well drink to forget as soon as keep busy. The result is the same; once you're no longer busy (or no longer drunk) it came right back along with the reminders everywhere.
Every book I've read since my discovery of The Grief Recovery Method has done nothing for me in terms of feeling any better.
I didn't feel joy or completion just b/c I read a book about someone "choosing life" after her husband died at the World Trade Center.
Anyway, it's painfully obvious that the writer never lost someone that day and that way.
Or else I'm the only person who after losing a loved one to violent death CAN'T make a sharp separation of the person and put him in my past. How can you do that when your daughter looks and acts just LIKE him?
I don't believe I'm the only person who can't compartmentalize feelings that way. One spills into another at least a little, and there's no way you can put him in the past and never think of him again. Even if you DO marry a new man.
August 19, 2012
I did not realize this was the sequel to "One Tuesday Morning" until it was too late. I should begin by saying that this was a sad read in many ways, although touching in it's depiction of widows overcoming their loss on 9/11. Tears flowed from my eyes on several occasions as I internalized the loss of the families whose loved ones perished in the Twin Towers. The longing, the guilt, the need to hold on to their loved one's memory were all so poignantly clear in this story.
Christianity and turning towards the Savior as a source of strength, holding on to Faith or developing new Faith, is the underlying message of this sorrowful tale. In the end, families learn to move forward in their lives and through their grief to a place where they can feel love and happiness once again. I found the story realistic and heartwarming, finding appreciation for the author's ministry and purpose in writing this story.
On a personal note, my Faith in the Lord Jesus Christ was strengthened and I was happy to see a Christian novel that had high morals. Some Christian novelists profess to be writing a Christian story, yet include all the baseness of society. It is refreshing to see a modern author giving details of real love and devotion rather than society's depiction of lust and self-gratification.
The writing style is simplistic, so I would not classify this as a classic. Simply a good read.
Christianity and turning towards the Savior as a source of strength, holding on to Faith or developing new Faith, is the underlying message of this sorrowful tale. In the end, families learn to move forward in their lives and through their grief to a place where they can feel love and happiness once again. I found the story realistic and heartwarming, finding appreciation for the author's ministry and purpose in writing this story.
On a personal note, my Faith in the Lord Jesus Christ was strengthened and I was happy to see a Christian novel that had high morals. Some Christian novelists profess to be writing a Christian story, yet include all the baseness of society. It is refreshing to see a modern author giving details of real love and devotion rather than society's depiction of lust and self-gratification.
The writing style is simplistic, so I would not classify this as a classic. Simply a good read.
November 16, 2008
This book is the sequel to "One Tuesday Morning". This novel is about how the people who were affected by the 911 attacks in the previous novel learn to cope with how their lives have changed and continuously keep changing. There are a lot of moments in this novel where you feel yourself start to reach out to the survivors of the those who lost someone in 911. You remember that one day when the world completely stopped as America watched those two twin towers smolder, and what it was like to see the footage of the rumble after it was all said and done. You remember where you were the day you heard what had happened and realize that those memories will never leave you no matter how much you want them too, they will never go away with time. I know most people probably want to forget the tragedy that happened on that September day but I think we need to remember how strong we are as a country. We need to remember that when it comes down to it we will all stand strong together, side by side when something like this occurs. God choose Karen Kingsbury to be the author of this tale for a reason, he wanted to show us our own strength. He knew Karen Kingsbury had the talent and desire to share this with a country who sometimes doesn't remember what they are still fighting for.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
March 6, 2012
This is the sequel to One Tuesday Morning and it has now been three years since the attacks on the World Trade Center on 9/11/01. Jamie Bryan is working at St. Paul's Chapel to help counsel visitors with grief. She believes that it is her calling from God to help others work through their pain from their losses. One day on her way to the chapel, Jamie encounters some trouble from some young adults on the ferry ride. Two officers were on the boat and came to her rescue. They were police officers from LA in NYC for detective training, one of which is Clay Michaels. Jamie and Clay make an instant connection and spend lots of time together while he is there for two weeks. Will Jamie allow herself to have feelings for Clay? How will things work out when he heads back home?
I thought this was a great continuation of the first book. I loved how she brought Clay into the story with Jamie. This story was a little predictable since the reader knew who Clay was before Jamie did but I still enjoyed reading on how their relationship developed. I will be reviewing the final book of this series, Every Now and Then, next.
I thought this was a great continuation of the first book. I loved how she brought Clay into the story with Jamie. This story was a little predictable since the reader knew who Clay was before Jamie did but I still enjoyed reading on how their relationship developed. I will be reviewing the final book of this series, Every Now and Then, next.
January 1, 2014
Oh My. Not as emotional as the first but still had me in tears at parts. The main character Jamie lost her husband in the 911 terrorist attack on the twin towers. It had been three years. She was working as a volunteer at the St. Paul's church helping other grieving people try to make sense of the tragedy. She had made friends with her deceased husbands boss and she was starting to think she was ready to date again. She was on the ferry on her way into Manhattan when she was held at gun point by three teenagers. Two men came to her rescue. She had no way to know that one of them was Eric Michaels brother. Eric was the man she had thought was her husband after the 911 collapse and who lived with her and her daughter trying to learn to be her husband after the amnesia. In the end he was not her husband and she showed him the way back to his wife and son. When she met Clay she felt like she had known him forever. Clay was great with Sierra her daughter and she fell fast. Only problem he lived in California and his brother Eric was someone she never thought she would see again. God had his hand in all of it and was able to get her over her pain at losing her husband and Eric.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
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