Guest Author - Diana Pederson

Rick Taylor. When Life is Changed Forever by the Death of Someone Near. Harvest House Publishers. 1992.

”Get in quick! Kyle is dead and Eric is dying!” I could see Eric’s pale, cold body in her arms. I jerked open the door and leaped into the driver’s seat as Judy struggled to shift Eric’s limp form to the passenger’s seat with her. Bryan was in the back seat, teary eyed and very quiet. Judy tried to explain what had happened, but time was short. “We’ve got to get Eric to the hospital,” I yelled, frantic to be on the way. I screamed at Carl to hurry to our place and find Kyle. [Page 16]

Rick Taylor was the leader of a Church camp, living on the property with his wife Judy, and three sons: Kyle, Eric, and Bryan. Nothing could have prepared this family for the tragedy described above. Their ever adventurous sons had tried to cross the opening of a spillway for the camp’s pond. Kyle fell in and drowned. Fathers and Mothers of young children simply aren’t thinking about the death of a child while they enjoy watching them grow up.

When Life is Changed Forever by the Death of Someone Near is written by the person who experienced this tragedy, Rick Taylor. His struggle in learning to cope with the sudden death is shared in this book. The reader will learn how he questions why it happened, and eventually, learns to allow God to heal his broken heart.

Recommendation

Christmas is a difficult time for anyone who lost a spouse or a child, or a parent during the past year. If you know of such a person, particularly one who has lost a child recently, consider purchasing this book and giving it to them to read. Pray that they will learn to hold on tight to their belief in a loving God. Perhaps some words in this book will help break the cycle of depression they are experiencing.