Author: Cecil Murphey and Gary Roe
Paintings by: Michal Sparks
Publisher: Harvest House Publishers
ISBN: 978-0-7369-5059-6

You may be facing the loss of someone you love. Whether you’ve gotten along well or argued often, as long as the other one lives, you have hope for a healthy relationship. But death puts an end to possibilities and dreams,” Cecil Murphey and Gary Roe write in their book, Saying Goodbye – Facing the Loss of a Loved One.

This small six-by-six inch hardcover book contains sixty-four pages that are dedicated to those we have loved and are now losing or have lost in our lives. With painted serene scenes depicting flowers, flora and landscapes on almost every page by artist Michal Sparks, the muted backgrounds give comfort and calmness to those grieving for the passing of our cherished ones. Targeted toward those dealing with death, its hope in God and Christianity are spread among the pages in a loving, non-judgmental way.

Written from both a man and woman’s perspective, there are ten short four to six page stories about relationships where someone has died at various stages of the end of their lives. Each story has a title along with the author’s name. At the end of the book are four chapters on additional helpful information about dying, death and grieving.

Trying to ease the fear and anxiety during such an emotional period, story topics include preparing oneself for death, making sure there are no regrets, verifying God’s love of both the loved one and reader, taking care of yourself, affirming the loved one, receiving a blessing, completing unfinished business, letting go and finally confirming it is all right to die.

Besides gently encouraging the reader to remember God is ultimately in control, one learns that speaking to a loved one at the end of life is important as hearing is the last sense to go. In addition, we should apologize for our past mistakes and move on as it would be dishonoring to God remember them.  By affirming and appreciating the loved one, the giver and recipient show deep expressions of love.

The final section has suggested ways of preparing for a loved one’s death along with notes to comfort your family and self, including letting others comfort you, and lists several resources for grieving.

Since we all will face the inevitable in life, this book is a true inspiration of how Jesus loves us no matter what and He is there, even during our loved ones or our final moments here on earth as we enter into eternity.

This book was furnished by Harvest House Publishers for review purposes.


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