Take the Dimness of My Soul Away

An authentic portrait of grief, as poetic and soul-lifting as it is poignant.

In 1994, William Ritter’s adult son committed suicide, sending Ritter and his family on a journey no family wants to take. Part of Ritter's own process of healing the loss of his son was to preach about it occasionally from the pulpit. This book is a collection of the sermons he preached, the first one just three weeks after his son’s death, and the final one nine years later.

Through them, we get a glimpse of a father and a family struggling honestly with their pain and gradually coming to grips with their loss. Ritter offers no easy solutions, no rosy pictures, and no silver linings, but speaks honestly instead about the difficult emotions and confusion of this kind of loss, and ultimately, about a sense of hopefulness for the survivors of suicide.

“With the language of a gifted poet, the eye of a portrait artist, and the heart of a faithful pastor and loving parent, Bill Ritter takes us on a poignant God-shaped journey toward healing and wholeness―his and ours.”
―L. Georgory Jones, Dean of Divinity School and professor of theology, Duke University.

William Ritter is a retired United Methodist minister, after a 40-year career. Since the suicide of his son he has counseled many others, and spoken to groups of people who have all survived this kind of loss. He lives in Birmingham, Michigan.