Helping Fathers Heal: Grief, Hope, and our Search for Connection

This book is a collection of short stories from fathers that have lost a child or children at some point. Despite the subject matter, it is not a heavy heart wrenching read. Rather it is a very valuable resource for someone in a grief journey, or perhaps for someone that knows a father (or any parent) that has lost a child and wants to understand more about what they are going through. It also makes a great gift to a Father that has suffered a loss. You will see some similarities run through all the stories, and some things that are very unique to each person. Well worth the read.

It takes a lot of courage to be vulnerable and the stories shared here by these men show the love and connection they have with their children and families. There are great nuggets of wisdom here for anyone on the grief journey.

Dads heal differently than moms do, and through this practical, ground-breaking work, Chris Ryan has gathered 25 fathers from Helping Fathers Heal to explain how they have moved forward after the passing of one or more children. It is an essential guide to finding camaraderie, connecting with our children in spirit, and feeling their presence as we progress toward healing. Thank you for writing it, Chris, Tom, Warren, Mike, Jeff, and all of the fabulous Dads who participated. Your kids must be very proud.

Finally a book with other Dads sharing their story, their grief journey, what they've learned, what support looks like for them. It is so incredibly helpful and healing to read the stories of these 25 Dads who've had a child pass. It helps me not feel alone, and to understand what I'm going thru and to borrow from and learn from these Dads.

This is essential reading for anyone - especially dads - who’ve experienced the loss of a child. These sacred dads have shared their stories to empower others. It’s an inspiring read for all of us! Brilliant! And beautifully told! ❤️

I know many of the dads in this book. Met up with them, in person, at the Helping Parents Heal Conference in 2022. Often late into the night. Guys who I had little history with.In 2021, after my son Collin died, only a few months later, I joined Helping Fathers Heal and Zoomed with them every week for over a year. Most were shocked that I was ready to participate after such a short period. But, I was in deep, deep need of help and I knew, intuitively, that only other men could understand and support me. Men need men. The phrase band of brothers has eternal meaning.I was not the only one. Dads, in the early stages of grief and shock, have written me specifically in this book. Thank you. I know how difficult this was for you. But, you are going to help so many other dads who are sitting at home, alone at night, with their thoughts begin the arduous life's work of recovering from traumatic loss of an indescribable kind.Probably many of these authors did not know that they had the gift of written expression. Happenings in life, crises, tragedies can bring our greatest gifts out of us. I just want to say to all of you, Great job!! And because I am in the club none of us ever wanted to be in or would wish on our adversaries, you know my words are sincere.From the more experienced dad writers, you will find hope here. I skipped around between authors. You don't need to read this book cover to cover. You can use it as a tool for understanding what you are experiencing. You will read ideas on finding a life again. Now 70, I always have believed that we are here for a reason, a purpose, which is not always obvious and changes. Sometimes nothing happens or not good things happen for awhile. Patience is required. For the ambitious, we are not so patient, but you will find solace and support in your fellow brothers in Helping Fathers Heal.

These amazing dad's, who are grieving the loss of a child get a chance to share their pain and heartache in a way that dad's grieve. Each dad is at a different stage of their journey, but you get to see how much love each dad has for their child. You get to experience thru their words how beautiful each one of their kids are, and you see their raw emotion of the most unimaginable loss a parent could experience. These brave men expose their broken hearts to readers in efforts to help them heal and maneuver thru this path. The men in this book didn't ask to be in this group but were thrown in and they have chosen to expose their grief for other to learn from. Such brave and generous acts of kindness to help others, like me. A must read. Thank you brothers. IRON SHARPENS IRON 💜💜💜

It took courage for these fathers to share their deepest grief. I felt myself smile at parts and cry at parts. Each child’s personality came through ! A good resource for other grieving parents, especially from a fathers perspective.

I recommend this book to all parents grieving the loss of a child/children. As a mom who is almost nine months into this journey, I have read & watched countless books & videos. This book along with the Helping Parents Heal organization has given me so much comfort and hope. I originally purchased this book for my husband but honestly, the heartfelt stories of these shining light dads & their children will help any parent trying to navigate life after such an unimaginable loss.

Thank you Elizabeth Veney Boisson and Chris Ryan for my beautiful copy of Helping Fathers Heal new book: Grief, Hope, and Our Search for Connection, which arrived as a pleasant surprise this morning on my home doorstep.I was fortunate to meet some of the authors of this book at the Helping Parents Heal Conference in 2022 and they really touched my heart with their stories. As a medium and a parent who has lost a child, I often dedicate a lot of my time free of charge in service to others but I have to say that some of my 2am-4am stints (yes, I really did and do get up at that time in the morning to be of service to this incredible group..!) have been some of my most loved, fun and memorable. I have laughed and cried in equal quantities. Often I am only supposed to stay an hour but due to the ability and charisma of the kids, I have been known to be persuaded to stay 2-3 hours, before my energy ran dry, in order to try to get as many readings and connections in.So while I appreciate that the book is really about the children, their amazing journeys and the direct contact the parents get that prove love is eternal. I would like to highlight thanks to Chris Ryan, Andy Bohart, David S and Ish for your lovely validations of hope and for putting this book together. I am feeling truly blessed and humbled to be mentioned and included in your book and part of your journey.I will aim to get the book added to my new book resource page on the www.kat-b.com website this week for you, as a thank you to you all. I appreciate you. May your book help many others, who just like you are seeking out the truths and finding that love never dies. It just grows stronger and finds amazing ways to connect us all. I just read some of the stories and I feel touched and blessed. I feel it will help so many.There are some beautiful dedications to some of my colleagues too, who are doing equally great work.“Spirit work, is team work”, as I like to say!Thank you. Feeling truly blessed. Keep up the great work.LoveKat x