Beyond Tears

Living After Losing a Child, Revised Edition

By: Carol Barkin, Barbara J. Goldstein, Audrey Cohen, Barbara Eisenberg, Lorenza Colletti

Narrated by: Pam Ward

Length: 7 hrs and 44 mins

Publisher's summary

The death of a child is that unimaginable loss no parent ever expects to face. In Beyond Tears, nine mothers share their individual stories of how to survive in the darkest hour. They candidly share with other bereaved parents what to expect in the first year and long beyond:

• Harmonious relationships can become strained
• There is a new definition of what one considers "normal"
• The question "how many children do you have?" can be devastating
• Mothers and fathers mourn and cope differently
• Surviving siblings grieve and suffer as well

There simply is no answer to the question "why?" This sharing in itself is a catharsis, and because each of these mothers lost her child at least seven years before, she is in a unique position to provide perspective on what newly bereaved parents can expect to feel. The mothers of Beyond Tears offer reassurance that the clouds of grief do lessen with time and that grieving parents will find a way to live and even laugh again.

The full list of contributors includes Madelaine Perri Kasden, Phyllis Levine, Ariella Long, Rita Volpe, and Ellen Mitchell.

©2009 Ellen Mitchell, Carol Barkin, et al. (P)2016 Tantor

I needed to hear this

This was an amazing book to listen to. The tone was beautiful. The different versions or sides of a story between the husband and wife, and between the women and the men were displayed wonderfully. It’s always good to know that there are others who are going through and who have gone through what I have gone throug. We are different yet the same. It’s also sad to know there’s others who have that same pain That I have — no one deserves to know what this feels like.

Very comforting having just lost my my daughter

It has been an invaluable companion during my early grieving. Thank- you for writing it.

Beyond tears

My 24 year old son was murdered by two drug dealers who were fighting over a shotgun. He was not involved in the fight but was hit when the gun went off. Wrong place wrong time wrong people. I am devastated. This book helped me very much with some of the feelings I’m going through . I may listen to it several more times.

Relatable

As I try to make sense of my feelings surrounding my son’s death, this book allowed me to see that my feelings are valid and I’m not alone.

Not What I Hoped For

This book is about sadness not about overcoming sadness. Not really a story; people's accounts of loss and sadness.

Helpful

This was the first book I listened to after the sudden, traumatic lose of my beautiful, healthy 26 year old adult son 17 months ago. I have since listened to many other books and read other hard copy books on grief. At that time I could only listen in short increments and I cried many times throughout this book. But since these other mothers were able to tell their honest story about their traumatic loss, I guess I figured that I could make it through this journey too. They spoke of how they endured and I believe it gave me hope. I listened to it at least 3 times. I highly recommend this book.

welcomed understanding

loved this book. it has helped me greatly. The authors have made a super difficult subject understandable. thank you.

Comforting and familiar

My daughter died 25 days ago. I feel like this book could have been written by me because the emotions the women who wrote the book went through are exactly what I am going through. It is comforting to know that my grief is "normal" and that I'm not losing my mind. I have read several grief books. Beyond Tears is by far the best. Thank you!

Exactly what I needed

It felt as if they knew exactly what I’m going through as though they were in my thoughts and mind. Listening to it for a second time.

Must read

I just lost my son on 5/24/23. I've looked and attempted to read several books, none that seemed to help and/or that I could relate to. This book is a must and helped me so much. the feelings I'm having are normal and that is something I struggle with. I would suggest the audible version. This was the first audible book I've ever done and I'm beyond glad I did. Hearing other people are hurting like me. I could be driving, cleaning, so many things and just listen to it play. Must read