Letters to Gabriel

Rating:
Summary: Santorum, go to the Sanitarium
Review: I found it terribly disturbing in this book when, upon reading this right wing rant of a book, that being a prominent politician entitles one to handle a dead infant's body, taking it home so that one's entire family may observe the new family member, and then burying the remains. And conservatives call late term abortions barbaric?! To induct a dead infant into a family is downright insane, and it is sad that so many do not see this for the mere political grandstanding that it is. I guess that a white Christian male senator from Pennsylvania should speak for all women in America who carry fetuses in pregnancies that are potentially life-threatening. And for a political faction that places so much emphasis on the role of God in morality, it is intriguing that such a public official would assume the authority to judge when, or even if, a pregnant woman's life is in danger due to a pregnancy. Maybe Rick Santorum professes so much faith in God because he believes himself to be that very deity.

I hope there are some good Democrats running for the Senate in Pennysylvania for 2006.

Rating:
Summary: Beautiful!
Review: I have had this book for years; my mother gave it to me when I began having children, so I could understand the depth of a mother's love for her child. I cried when I first read it, and this past week, when I lost a baby myself, I cried more.

I cannot recommend this book highly enough to other grieving mothers out there. Karen's honesty about her struggles allowed me to see my pain in someone else's tragedy, and somehow, that helped so much--to know I was not alone in my anguish, that I was not crazy, and that, perhaps, someday, there is hope.

I simply do not understand the horrible, negative diatribes among the reviews posted here. I cannot believe people would let their politics lead them to berate and mock a family that endured such a loss. Such people are the very people who make me afraid to leave my house, afraid to pick up the phone, because there are those kind of people out there who will not understand how much it hurts to lose a baby at any stage of a pregnancy.

Please, if you have lost a child, read this book and allow Karen's courage and wisdom to help you endure your sorrow. Do not listen to heartless, callous, cruel bystanders--after all, does it make sense to listen to someone who has suffered the loss of a child or someone who doesn't think unborn or newly born babies count for very much?

I am certain that in the weeks ahead, as I try to accept the fact that I will never see my Michael Jude grow up, I will return to her book again and again. Blessings, Karen and family.

Rating:
Summary: my healing book
Review: I have had this book for years; my mother gave it to me when I began having children, so I could understand the depth of a mother's love for her child. I cried when I first read it, and this past week, when I lost a baby myself, I cried more.

I cannot recommend this book highly enough to other grieving mothers out there. Karen's honesty about her struggles allowed me to see my pain in someone else's tragedy, and somehow, that helped so much--to know I was not alone in my anguish, that I was not crazy, and that, perhaps, someday, there is hope.

I simply do not understand the horrible, negative diatribes among the reviews posted here. I cannot believe people would let their politics lead them to berate and mock a family that endured such a loss. Such people are the very people who make me afraid to leave my house, afraid to pick up the phone, because there are those kind of people out there who will not understand how much it hurts to lose a baby at any stage of a pregnancy.

Please, if you have lost a child, read this book and allow Karen's courage and wisdom to help you endure your sorrow. Do not listen to heartless, callous, cruel bystanders--after all, does it make sense to listen to someone who has suffered the loss of a child or someone who doesn't think unborn or newly born babies count for very much?

I am certain that in the weeks ahead, as I try to accept the fact that I will never see my Michael Jude grow up, I will return to her book again and again. Blessings, Karen and family.

Rating:
Summary: A response to the previous reviewer.
Review: I hope the reader from San Francisco never has to experience the death of a child...I have, and holding my child before my wife and I gave her to God was one of the most precious events of my life. I applaud Mrs Santorum on having the strength to write a book that could help many, many people. The comment that she needs mental help for wanting to share the experience is bitter and evil. although you are a negative, horrible person (who is too much of a coward to use your name), I know her response would be the same as mine...May God have mercy on your soul....

And I hope God blesses the Santorums

Rating:
Summary: Valuable insight into the role of right-wing Christians
Review: I thoroughly enjoyed Karen Santorum's book. They way she incorporated her personal tragedy and her strong faith was compelling. I cried through out this book but it made me think about the fragility of life. This book made me appreciate life more. I finished it late one evening and immediately went in and gave my three healthy kids hugs. I applaud Karen for sharing her very heart-breaking story with us.

Rating:
Summary: A Short Life Leaves a Powerful Legacy
Review: In Letters to Gabriel, Senator Rick Santorum's Wife tells the heartbreaking but ultimately uplifting story of their son's tragically brief life. A severe prenatal development led to his very early delivery, and although his time on earth lasted a mere two hours, his existence added something to the world. In that short lifetime, he experienced decades of love from devoted parents-grateful for the miracle that he was born alive and that they had two hours to love him.

Anyone who is a parent, godparent, uncle, aunt, or loves a child will be greatly moved by this simultaneously despairing and joyous story. Your heart will break for Karen Santorum and her family, but you'll also feel a strong admiration for her. The Santorums will never fully recover from Gabrial's death but they are obviously better parents-in fact better people-for having known him.

Letters to Gabriel is the legacy of a baby whose abbreviated life impacted more people than many of us will touch in fifty years. Like most roller-coaster rides, it is rather short-less than 175 pages, but your emotions careen through the pages for a very memorable journey.

In addition to Karen's moving letters, the book benefits from Dr. Laura Schlessinger's sapient introduction and a very poignant introduction by Mother Teresa written three months before her death.

Rating:
Summary: Before I Formed You In the Womb I Knew You
Review: Karen Garver Santorum knew her child Gabriel, who was formed in her womb, before he was born for others to see. An experiential, very moving description of the tenacious way which the author loved her chilld before he was born. Though I lack the capacity to bear a child (i.e., maleness), the vicarious experience through Ms. Santorum was stunning. Whatever one might feel about the rights of an unborn child, what is undeniable is the real and true human relationship between the author and her son. A thrilling and moving experience to read!

Rating:
Summary: Beautiful!
Review: Letters to Gabriel is the most beautiful and precious book that I have ever read. I will cherish it forever.

As the proud and loving Mummy in my 7th month of pregnancy to my beautiful baby girl, Bethany Anne, who was diagnosed with Anencephaly in my 12th week of pregnancy through transvaginal ultrasound.. I relate so much with everything Mrs. Garver-Santorum expresses in her lovely letters to her precious little boy.

Thank you Karen for writing such a beautiful masterpiece. Mums everywhere will not feel alone after reading your great words of comfort and love.