Life Between Falls: A
A travelogue through Grief & the Unexpected
A Guidebook for Those Who Grieve Julie Lange (Groth) has traveled that dark road every mother dreads above all others, the death of a child. Her story is a healing journey through tragedy and loss into a life of unexpected joy and richness. In this book she tells her story, and shares some tools and approaches to help others who feel alone and lost in their own dark night of the soul.
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A travelogue through Grief & the Unexpected
A Guidebook for Those Who Grieve Julie Lange (Groth) has traveled that dark road every mother dreads above all others, the death of a child. Her story is a healing journey through tragedy and loss into a life of unexpected joy and richness. In this book she tells her story, and shares some tools and approaches to help others who feel alone and lost in their own dark night of the soul.
Order a copy
Life Between Falls is a personal account of my life during three pivotal autumn events: the death of my son Justin in September 1993 at age 16, my father's death the following September, and the death of my grandmother one year later on the anniversary of my son's death. During that period my advertising business also went bankrupt and I lost my home to foreclosure.
The book is a travelogue through the rockiest territory of my heart, but it’s also a kind of resurrection story. Time and again my grieving process was mitigated by little miracles, messages and moments of pure transcendence. A big part of my healing process was writing. Although I had not thought of myself as a writer before, writing somehow helped me get through my darkest moments, and so I kept a journal. While the book is largely based on that journal, it also offers the reader some practical tips for moving through the grieving process without getting stuck in it, based on my own experiences. By the time the third “fall" arrived, I had become a professional freelance writer and a passionate community activist. All the trappings of my old life had fallen away and a meaningful new life was unfolding for me. Losing a child is a wound that never fully heals, but I can honestly say that my life today is richer, fuller and more joyful than ever. I am a newlywed, a doting grandparent, a freelance journalist, an environmentalist, and a shamanic healer and teacher. Justin continues to be my partner and my patron saint throughout this amazing journey of the spirit. |
Reader comments
The back cover of this book says it is “a Guidebook for Those Who Grieve.” Since I’m one of those, I read it from cover to cover as soon as I received it. I was completely engaged early on, first by the author’s opening words: I am no one you ever heard of…..I’m simply a mom who has traveled that dark road every mother dreads above all others-the death of a child”; secondly, by a quote from Walt Whitman about death; and thirdly by the photo of Justin Lange at age 15, that moved me deeply.
Julie Lange’s account of her experiences dealing with her son’s death and the deaths and losses that followed is incredible. She describes her feelings without apology or self-pity. That someone could survive these terrible traumas and use what she learned to benefit others is very inspiring to me. This is a story of living through tragedy with honesty and patience. I feel encouraged to go on through my own darkness with this guidebook for light. Sally Burd Julie Lange is a brilliant shamanic practitioner and shamanic teacher who is listed on http://www.shamanicteachers.com/. She lives in New Jersey. She had the unfortunate tragedy of losing one of her son’s. She wrote a beautiful book titled Life Between Falls: A Travelogue Through Grief and the Unexpected. This book will be a help to those of you grieving the death of a loved one and will bring you hope, inspiration, and healing. Sandra Ingerman, MA, author of Soul Retrieval: Mending the Fragmented Self, Welcome Home: Following Your Soul’s Journey Home, A Fall to Grace and Medicine for the Earth: How to Transform Personal and Environmental Toxins Life between Falls is beautifully written by Julie Lange. Despite the tragic events which caused her to lose her youngest son, her father and grandmother within three consecutive years, she is able to inspire the reader by her self-awareness, courage and commitment to healing. As Richard Bach has said "What the caterpillar calls the end of the world, the master calls a butterfly." Julie Lange's true story of transformation is a detailed introspection of embracing the butterfly in all of us! Tracey Burnett |
Life Between Falls is written as a personal account of how the tight grip of unimaginable grief and loss can gently ease and enfold into us; providing insight, hope, and compassion for all who have at some time lost a part of their heart. Julie’s deep understanding of the tender places inside our psyche are reflected in her poignant prose and gently written phrases. A book intended for healing and for reflection, Life Between Falls brings us closer to our own truths of life, love, and ultimately acceptance of ourselves in being whole and complete-even when our world has fallen completely apart.
Lisa Dahlgren, Ph.D. Licensed Psychologist I loved this book. It goes right to the CORE of what it is like to experience grief and loss on a deep level. The author's experience and reaction to losing her son, father, business and money in such a short period of time is truly inspiring. Instead of giving up, she walked through her grief, dared to hope, and ultimately ended up making a positive difference in the world for others. This book is beautifully written and helped me remember what is really important in life. Shannon Goodwin Julie Lange went to some of the darkest depths to reach the highest heights. At any moment any one of us can be blind sighted with horror, grief, financial hardship, loss, lonliness and despiration. Julie used what life gave her and turned it into something beautiful and because of it evolved to leaving a legacy for teenagers, empowering those who hurt and becoming an inspiration to her family and anyone who has the good fortune to meet her through her healing work. You will finish this book with a new perspective and appreciation for life. Kelli Calabrese Fitness, Nutrition & Lifestyle Expert |