Forever 25: A Mother's Journey Through Grief - Softcover

Tucker, Ixchel; Tucker, Shelley

Softcover

ISBN 10: 1708515194 ISBN 13: 9781708515195

Publisher: Independently published, 2019

Synopsis

Shelley’s memoir puts a face on a tragedy that is too easy to ignore with all the war deaths overwhelming our senses. (V. Mora)

On March 8, 2008 Sgt. Gabriel Guzman of the US Army was killed by a roadside bomb while on patrol in Afghanistan. In her touching memoir, Shelley Tucker, takes us through the aftermath of having her son’s life suddenly ripped away.

As she struggles with understanding her son and why he would choose to fight in a war when her desire in this world was for peace, further tragedy strikes. She’s pulled into the mysteries of the Mayan Calendar and the ruling Lord of Destruction, Tetzcatlipoca.

Her journey is one of every grieving parent, trying to go on when the world stops making sense. There are no easy answers as those around her offer platitudes, she finds herself more alone than ever. She journeys deeply inward in search of her truth, to understand grief and what it means for her. Shelley finds that her way isn’t as simple as war or peace. It’s finding love and compassion for our soldiers and warriors, while also praying and working towards better solutions to our conflicts as nations, people, families, enemies and friends.

Even ten years later, she couldn’t just let her son’s life slip away without comment. This book is also Gabriel’s legacy. He was an inspiration to family and friends. And in the end, she discovered the ultimate letting go was both embracing and releasing her son.

This is part of the untold story of the aftermath of war. With thousands of our young men killed in Afghanistan and Iraq, the lives of their families have been forever changed. The soldiers who return, after witnessing deaths of friends and comrades, back to a life they no longer recognize. No one likes to talk of death or trauma. Shelley’s book is an opening to conversation that should not be bottled up or pushed aside.Her story isn’t just for her and her son. It’s for all those who have experienced great loss, it’s for the mothers and fathers, sisters and brothers, wives and husbands, children and friends. Through understanding the pain of another, perhaps we can find our way to understand grief.

About this edition

• Publisher: Independently published
• Publication date: 2019
• ISBN 10: 1708515194
• ISBN 13: 9781708515195
• Binding: Paperback
• Number of pages: 258