Customer Reviews

Roses in December : Finding Strength Within Grief

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My father died over ten years ago now, and when a friend suggested that I read this book, my first thought was, "how can anyone else possibly understand what I am feeling?" But I have never forgotten how much Marilyn Heavilin's book helped me. I thought my grief was making me feel things no one else had ever felt or thought, and of course this was not true. I understood my own feelings better after reading this book. It gave me hope and reassurance to know that things WILL get better and others can share the burden. I also learned how to do things to help my mother and siblings cope with the loss, too. Bless you, Marilyin Heavilin!

This book was written by Marilyn Willett Heavilin. Suffering the loss of a child is hard for anyone to imagine. Marilyn and her husband Glen suffered the loss of not one child, but three of their children. Marilyn journaled the story of her strugles, grief, despair, hopes, and blessings. She has covered just about every topic I can think of.

I have said all along that we didn't loose our son David for no reason. God wanted us to learn from it and wanted to make us better people. Well, I can see that is exactly what happened with the Heavilin Family. Their heartache would make anyone want to just stay in their house and never come out. But, with help of their friends, prayers, and eachother, Marilyn and Glen took what they learned from their tragedies and has devoted their lives to helping others who are greiving the loss of a child.

If you only read one book during your grief process, this is the book you should buy.

Lucy Buhlmann Orange County TCF

We too experienced a sudden loss when our son was killed. As a man came through the line @ calling hours, he handed me this book, as I read it, it seemed as though I was reliving Marylin's life some 20 years later. My experiences were so paralell it was unbeliveable. This book has given me some peace,at a time when I thought peace would never come again. Our loss is still so overwhelming that sometimes it's hard to even breathe, but I think of Roses in December, and I know someday the grief won't be what directs my life. I just need to experience all of the roses.

In August 1987, I went through what is medically referred to as a missed abortion...the miscarriage didn't complete, and thus I was left carrying a dead baby for another month until she was born. After her birth, I was in the Family Book Store and happened across this book. I promptly purchased it, took it home and read it at one sitting. In this book I learned that it is okay to be angry with God, to vent feelings of anger and frustration. There had been several books on the list given to me at the hospital, but nothing to compare to this book. I actually went back to the store and purchased a second copy which I gave to my doctor. Found out later that he too purchased several copies that he gave as gifts to some of his colleagues. Also he had this book added to the list of reading material given out by the hospital. Bacause of people like Marilyn who was willing to share her deepest feelings with the rest of the world, we have this very wonderful book. Grief is something that each of us handles in our own unique way, and this book is definitely a help in getting through the grieving process.

When my family lost three family members in one day, we were still trying to deal with the loss of my 20 year old cousin Dawn. We did not know anyone who had to deal with several tragedies at once. Roses in December offered us consolation when nothing else could. It helped us hold on to each other and still see Gods love through our grief.

After losing our 11 month old son suddenly in 1999, I found this book to be very helpful in my healing process. It is really a wonderful guide for all those involved in the grief process. It really is a "must read" for clergy and leaders in the church.

Roses In December: Comfort For The Grieving Heart by Marilyn Willett Heavilin presents readers with an thoughtful and thought-provoking understanding of God and the remarkable empathy and healing power of God's comfort. Providing an expansive introduction to the living grace of God for those who grieve the loss of a loved one, Roses In December presents readers with a comprehensive and easy-to-follow mapping of God and the special attributions of such an accepting deity. Roses In December is very strongly recommended for all readers hoping for an accessible guide to a more spiritual response to the inevitable disappointments of marriage, sibling conflicts, familial disputes, as well as support and understanding the grieving process brought on by personal tragedy or the death of loved ones.

Grief has a life of its own. You don't know this until you are faced with it. Unless you are able to talk with someone who has experienced it or read a book such as this one, no one can understand what you are feeling. I appreciated Marilyn's candidness of all she was feeling and how she came through it. It was a comfort to find that I was feeling some of the same things she was feeling. That brings healing in itself.

I recommend this book highly to anyone who has lost someone and is grieving. You will find yourself connecting with Marilyn and it will help you know that what you are feeling is normal. I would also like to add that her Christian perspective is vital. Because it's times like this when we see our need for the Lord; his grace, strength, and presence in our lives. Many would ask: "How could God let this happen?" Well, it happens to all of us at one time or another...that is reality. The question should be: "How can God help me?" And He will.

So far, this has been the best help for me after my baby boy was stillborn 12 weeks ago. The author is very compassionate. I'd recommend it to anyone who has experienced the loss of a child.

This book is so helpful. Having a sister and a friend who have experienced this tremendous loss, I feel thankful that this book was written. It not only helps the family but friends also. The best part is that it is a small book so, when you can not think anyway after this kind of loss, it is easy to stay with it. Thank you Marilyn, who also has responded through Compassionate friends to us.