An Empty Cradle, a Full Heart: Reflections for Mothers and Fathers After Miscarriage, Stillbirth, or Infant Death

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Summary: Short, helpful reflections for grieving parents.
Review: As grieving parents, both my husband and I found these reflections very timely. It's the kind of book you can pick up and read for one minute or one hour, depending on your mood and current needs. It is definitely a Christian-based book...each reflection is followed by a scripture pertaining to the idea presented in the reflection. However, as non-Christians, we loved the stories themselves. They put so eloquently into words the many conflicting feelings we are having after the death of our son. I highly recommend this book to others who have suffered a similar loss.

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Summary: God sent this book for my broken heart!
Review: I had been searching and searching for a book of bible verses pertaining to my loss but I also wanted personal stories in it. I'd even been considering writing one myself if I couldn't find one. This book is EXACTLY what I'd prayed for and I would highly recommend it to anyone seeking comfort in God's word.

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Summary: Still Helps me today
Review: I lost my son 3 years ago and I can still open this book and find peace. I would buy this book for anyone who has lost their baby. The emotions felt are placed side by side with words of scripture. It is as if God is helping you through your emotions. My husband's Aunt got this for us right after our son died. It helped me then and it continues to help me now.

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Summary: Comfort and hope for parents after infant death.
Review: Nearly a million parents suffer a miscarriage or infant death every year. Theirs can be a lonely, quiet grief--with many deep emotions experienced but not easily expressed. This collection of more than a hundred short meditations beautifully interweaves these overwhelming and very real feelings of bereaved parents with scripture passages that provide comfort, direction, and a sense of hope. "The book features short reflections--many of them hers--interspersed with Scriptures from the Bible. There is a section for mothers and one for fathers. The book is intended to be poignant and uplifting, to make those who have experienced such sadness remember and knowingly nod their heads and realise that someone else has felt the same misery. It is intended to help the rest of us understand, at least a little.' --Bill Lohmann, RICHMOND-TIMES DISPATCH, 10/06/98 "'O'Keefe Lafser originally wrote " An Empty Cradle, A Full Heart" for a neice who lost a child. She alternates reflections about the intense loss--drawn from her personal experience and from conversations with others who have lost children--with Scripture passages that echo the parent's sorrow, but also offer comfort, direction, and a sense of hope." --Heidi Schlumpf, NEW WORLD 10/11/98

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Summary: Pain and Healing
Review: We have lost 3 babies in our family. Our dreams of great futures were gone with them. We were desperate to find comfort. This book is healing and helpful to ease the pain.
I am grateful that I discovered this book. I also recommend Write From Your Heart, A Healing Grief Journal.
It really is necessary to "work" through grief.
May you all find peace and comfort.