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A Journey We Share – New Book Coming in 2023
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Click here to read Jimmy’s article about A Journey We Share in Georgia Magazine’s Jan. 2022 issue.
A Journey We Share is a journal for grieving parents by parents who have opened their hearts to tell their personal stories of love, loss, and encouragement. Their decisions to share as well as determine what to write weren’t taken lightly, making this collection quite special.
We wholeheartedly thank each person who has supported this project by contributing stories and spreading the word.
Having endured the unthinkable, our contributing writers know what it takes to seek and find new meaning and purpose in life. Another common thread is their desire to help others, especially those who feel alone. No matter where they happen to be or the time of day, readers who grieve can gather strength and comfort from other parents.
Each journal entry presents one parent’s message followed by lined pages for journaling. Captivating watercolor portraits of the children remembered, as well as other beautiful design elements, also appear throughout the book to inspire readers to reflect, write, and revisit over a year and beyond.
All net proceeds will fund future college scholarships for nursing students and student athletes, as well as global missions. Please visit the Abbie DeLoach Foundation at https://abbiedeloachfoundation.com for more information.
Possibility of Future Publications
We have gathered all the submissions for this inaugural volume of A Journey We Share. However, realizing how meaningful it has been for parents to write for the benefit of others, we are continuing to collect stories for possible use in future publications and other media. If you are a parent, grandparent, or guardian who grieves the loss of a child, we’d love for you to consider submitting your story.
Your submission gives us permission to include your story in a future edition of A Journey We Share or other media.
As I read Jimmy DeLoach’s book, A Journey We Share, I am struck by two things. One is the incredible grief we go through with the loss of a loved one, but also the importance of connection to others. On September 22, 2018, I lost my sister suddenly to a car accident when she was hit by a drunk driver. The theme of reaching out to others and also being able to write about my grief was incredibly healing for me. Some of you will identify with the stories in this book because it will be very similar to what you have been through. Others will connect through this incredible sense of loss when you question if you will ever recover. Jimmy’s book, as well as the contributions of others, will connect you to people. It will connect you to those who have suffered loss, those who have seen love shown in incredible ways, and those who now have hope. As a therapist who has worked over 40 years helping others through grief, this book will help you get through the unbearable nights. I pray it will give you peace, comfort, and hope as you work through your own grief.
Watching someone you love work through a season of hard grief can be a terrible, beautiful thing. It’s terrible because of the heartbreaking pain of loss … and beautiful when you see them turn to God for help and watch Him “shelter them under His wings” and comfort them as they “walk through the valley of the shadow of death” with Him. I had that terrible, beautiful privilege as I walked with my friend Jimmy through the valley of death. His beautiful, accomplished daughter was taken from his family because of a senseless act of irresponsibility. Anyone can resonate with the shock, anger and depression that came like wave after wave, and yet, eventually, the comfort and peace of God settled on Jimmy and his family.
Part of the comfort that God sent came through the stories of others who have taken this terrible, beautiful journey. In this book, Jimmy will tell his story, as will many others who have felt the searing pain of losing a child. Paul told us in II Corinthians 1: 3-4 that “God, our merciful Father … comforts us in all our troubles so that we can comfort others.” You will read how God sent comfort to my friend … and you can be sure if you do what he did … you will receive the gift he received as well.
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Share Your Story and Encouragement
Don’t worry about writing perfectly. Just let your words come from your heart. We do not require you to hold or express religious views or faith of any kind. A professional editor will review your work only to enhance readability and correct grammar, spelling, and punctuation. After editing, you will be sent a final copy for approval to complete your submission.