Clayton's Free

The Healing Journeys of a Mother and a Lover

By: Dorothy Garlough

Narrated by: Dorothy Garlough

Length: 4 hrs and 57 mins

Publisher's summary

You might think this book is about pain. It is not. It is about the journey of two women who loved Clayton unconditionally. It is a tale of overcoming devastating loss, turning hopelessness into hope, sadness into joy and trauma into healing. It spotlights the magnification of love and a shifting of lives in surprising and unpredictable directions. Although none of us could have prevented Clayton's act of despair, we do have agency on how we grow from it. This book will tell of the many miracles that unfolded on our journey, and of our gratitude to Clayton, a teacher extraordinaire.

It also offers Sabrina’s and my personal viewpoint about the need for change in order to provide healthy living environments for our children, ranging from a “safe” home to offering tools to children on how to expand consciousness holistically. In addition, it spotlights the inadequacies of mental health care, both in our culture through stigmas and also in our medical communities. Our hope is that we can help others. Then Clayton’s life and death would have purpose, and the pain of losing him can be transcended into an meaningful gift.

©2023 Dorothy Garlough (P)2023 Dorothy Garlough

From Pain to Peace

Pain, trauma, devastating loss, or sadness is not the cornerstone of this book. Instead, it focuses on the journey of two women who loved unconditionally and details the miracles they experienced during their acceptance and healing. It also emphasizes the importance of creating healthy living environments and offering support to those in need while highlighting the overwhelming inadequacies of current mental health care.

The author, Dorothy Garlough briefly touches on the story of Clayton’s choice to pass from this world and the pain she endures from his choice. Rather than focusing on the pain this creates for her and her son’s girlfriend, she chooses to address the journey the two women take to recover from this devastating loss. She explores the good of Clayton’s short time and the signs she encounters that project hope and joy – the belief that his energy cannot die but remains and joins with other energy in the world – seeing his presence in the quiet, calmness, and chaos around her. This book is meant to bring peace and it does, but not before hearing and feeling the heart-wrenching fear that all parents and loved ones pray never to experience.

As the narrator, Dorothy Garlough shares her journey from pain to joy and, ultimately, peace in this book. She offers listeners an intimate look inside, allowing them to experience the story’s authenticity firsthand. Dorothy Garlough articulates her journey with clarity while maintaining a restrained yet palpable emotion.

While I do not enjoy emotional, tear-inducing books, this touches on a situation I am currently dealing with. Her insight and sincerity are encouraging and provide comfort. I am grateful for having this opportunity to learn from her.

There were no issues with the production or quality of this audiobook.

Honest and profound

Dorthy you did a wonderful reading of very painful experience
Your love for your son is amazing
Mental health and A I in this world is a Hugh problem that we will will experience one way or any

Deep and Meaningful; Thought Provoking

Hearing this audio book was easier than reading the book. The trauma that Dorothy and Sabrina endured because of Clayton's choice to die was related by Dorothy's reading in such a way that I could get through it. Somehow, if Clayton's mom could speak about their harrowing journey, then I could hear it, and it was a journey worth listening to. Wisdom, love and healing is what this book is about and whether or not you lose someone to mental dys-ease, you will find that this book is life affirming!