In 23 letters written after the death of her son, the author describes her pain, exhaustion, guilt and despair. She also draws upon the hope and grace and promise that are the gifts of the Christian Church. The letters, written to family, friends, and members of her congregation, are informed by doctrines of the church, scripture and the wisdom of foremothers and forefathers of the faith. The letters engage with, and sometimes quarrel with, those resources or interpretation of them. It is this well-grounded theological reflection and the shared experience of faith tested and made stronger in the terrible fire of grief which sets this book apart.
NOTE: Two of these letters were published in Circuit Rider (March/April 2001). The response was very positive among readers, including Martin Marty who picked up a long quote in his popular publication Context.
