"Your son has been diagnosed with a fatal genetic disease called Krabbe Leukodystrophy. There is no treatment and no cure. I will do everything I can to help your son. But the disease has already progressed so fast I don't think he will live to see his second birthday."
With these words, pro football Hall of Famer Jim Kelly and his wife, Jill, were catapulted from a seemingly fairy-tale life of celebrity into a world of private struggle and medical uncertainty. What the public didn't know, however, was that behind the scenes lurked more than a family's pain at the dire prognosis of their only son. Hunter's illness exposed the troubled depths of a marriage that had been shadowed by uncertainties of its own.
For eight years, Hunter defied all medical odds, and his parents pursued every means to save his life. Meanwhile, Jim and Jill's marriage continued to fail yet was held together by their love for their kids and their determined hope for Hunter.
Though Hunter's illness prevented him from ever speaking a word, his will and unconditional love spoke volumes to his family and all who knew him. And in time, the light of Hunter's silent, all-too-brief life shone into the darkened corners of the couple's lives, leading them to authentic faith, a restored relationship, and the establishment of a foundation that is reaching other families with terminally ill children around the world.
Without A Word, How A Boy's Unspoken Love Changed Everything, by Jill Kelly and foreword by Tim McGraw and Faith Hill, transparently shares every moment that silently transformed the hearts of every member of Jill's family and changed their lives forever, moments that may change your heart and life, too
As a mom who has experienced the loss of a child, I normally do not choose to read books about the subject. Even after 24 years it still can be emotionally draining. However, many find reading about others who have experienced that loss a healing thing. Jill Kelly's story is inspiring, emotional and uplifting. Through her tremendous pain she intimately shares where her strength came from and challenges us to press on in our own lives.Thank you to Faith Words, a division of Hachette Book Groups, for this review copy.
5 comments:
Sometimes reading others' experiences can be healing; sometimes it just brings back a rush of difficult emotions. Even after all these years, I'm so sorry for your loss.
My heart goes out to you. I could not imagine the pain you must feel every day after losing your child. Hugs.
I'm so sorry for your loss. This must have been an emotional read for you.
It is through books such as this that help give us strength to press on with our own lives. It's a reminder that we're not alone in our grief.
Nise- I'm so sorry that you had to experience the devastating loss of a child. My heart goes out to you and you're in my prayers.
I didn't know that, Nise`. I'm so sorry. I think the reason I AM able to read all the depressing books I do is because I've never lost anybody close to me, except for grandparents of course, but they died in their 80s and 90s.
Thanks for mentioning this book. You're the reason I read it, and as you know I loved it and gave it 5 Stars :)
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