Blooms and Butterflies: Life After Loss - Softcover

Faris Jean Atkinson

Softcover

ISBN 10: 0973441402 ISBN 13: 9780973441406

Publisher: Self Published, 2004

Synopsis

This book is a remarkable accomplishment and testament to the determination of the human spirit. It plumbs the depths of personal anguish and finds a spiritual path that leads to important lessons about the meaning of human existence, the precious gift of life, and ways to appreciate this gift more fully.
This book is a must read for anyone who has suffered loss, particularly the loss of a child, and also for those who wish to provide comfort.
Let the author take you by the hand on her personal journey through sorrow following the untimely loss of family members at different times in her life. Be with her as she tells about the tragic loss of her parents in a car crash when she was 18. Share the author's anguish as she and her husband struggle to understand and deal with their middle child's moods and depression that eventually led their daughter to die by suicide at the age of 18. Recount with the author her years of dwelling in unimaginable grief, despair, and questioning, until eventually her spirit struggles free and she is able to present this touching gift of reconciliation, meaning and light.

About this title

About the Author:

Faris Jean Atkinsonwas born in Viking Alberta Canada, April 1956, the first of five children of the Reverend Clinton and Mrs. Irene Swallow. In 1977 she married her high school sweetheart and together they have 3 children. Clinton born in 1980, Jessie in 1982 and Erin in 1983. To date Clint remains unmarried, Jessie died at the age of 18 in May of 2000 and Erin is married. She and her husband Jason have 2 beautiful boys.
Faris has a back ground as an Emergency Medical Technician, worked as a regional manager and first aid trainer for St. John Ambulance, is a former registered nurse, and currently works as the public education coordinator for the non-profit community agency Suicide Prevention Resource Centre in Grande Prairie Alberta. She also practices as a certified professional Health and Wellness Coach in her own company Deanta Health Inc.
Faris's interests are in holistic health, alternative health, spirituality, and fitness. She enjoys singing, painting, writing, playing with her grandsons, spending time with family and friends, gardening, cycling, and public speaking.
Faris is becoming more and more in demand for speaking engagements as an author, coach and education coordinator and still finds time for the occasional opportunity to do lay preaching at a few local churches.
Faris has a gift of wisdom and accepting others for who they are, hungrily learning about different cultures and beliefs, and never judging others by their appearance, age, or how others may label them taking every opportunity to learn from others and from each experience.
Faris has dedicated her life to caring for and helping people in need. She started writing as therapy for herself and in response to requests and encouragement, published this book in hope that it would provide some help to others suffering from loss. Since publication, she has been told repeatedly of the powerful impact her book has made in people's lives. She has been told it has saved lives. Her strength she finds in the love and support in her life and she confidently states that she is truly and profoundly blessed.

Review:

With Blooms and Butterflies, Faris has woven loss into memoir, a kind of compassionate scrapbook filled with insights that are both earthy and spiritual at the same time. There is something deeply regenerative about the way she responds to the overwhelming pain that depression and suicide bring. She has built and re-built her life with the thoughts and memories she shares in this book. From chapter to chapter we see that a large part of her strength comes from the joy of other peoples company. It is a clear affirmation that is moving in its simplicity. She is asking us to open our eyes to the world around us. Whether you have experienced loss to this level or not, this is a book whose ideas will resonate. It is written with a powerful, intelligent love. --Kevin Teichroeb Documentary Producer, CBC Television

Faris Atkinson has stood on the highest peaks of person-hood and in the deepest valleys. This book is a very moving story of gain, loss, and growth. This powerful story is also very personal, and its personal character is a powerful reminder that we are spiritually connected and so must and can trust each other. There is something in this book for everyone. --David King, Former Minister of Education for the Province of Alberta, Canada

About this edition

• Publisher: Self Published
• Publication date: 2004
• ISBN 10: 0973441402
• ISBN 13: 9780973441406
• Binding: Paperback
• Edition number: 1
• Number of pages: 191
• Editor: William Coulthard
• Illustrator: Jordan Walega