When the Thief Strikes - Hardcover

Day, Patricia Temple

Hardcover

ISBN 10: 1450024394 ISBN 13: 9781450024396

Publisher: Xlibris, 2010

Synopsis

Bipolar Disease: A Thief that Steals One Man's Dreams

Day relives her son s battle with mental illness in her new book

Bipolar is the thief that struck author Patricia Temple Day's family, stealing her son's hopes and eventually his life. Moved by her loss and inspired to help others find peace and joy amidst their personal storm, she pens a story of grief and healing in When the Thief Strikes.

In this book, the author looks back on the life of her son, David Day, as he wrestles with severe bipolar disease. Young, handsome, and full of life, David's life was in place he has launched a successful computer career and is about to marry his college sweetheart. Before he can make the most important commitment of his life, however, a thief strikes, stealing his dreams.

Despite his fall, David regains control over his disease, enters law school, earns his degree and passes the Bar. Even when the Board of Law Examiners decides his illness makes him unfit for the challenging public law career he chose, his strong spirit helps him to courageously challenge their decision. His family believes that his hard work has earned him some good luck, some happiness. He has found a medication he can tolerate and has been hospital-free for three years. As they begin to relax, bipolar strikes again, fatally this time.

In the aftermath of his son's death, Day has to decide: Did the thief win? When the Thief Strikes allows readers to follow this compelling true-life journey, and learn important information about bipolar, a disease which affects 5.7 million Americans. Day helps anyone learn to cope with mental illness of a loved one, and how to move forward when, in the midst of grief and loss, God seems unavailable and uncaring.
REVIEWS

I have been touched, moved, and impressed by this book. Where is the collected wisdom of the ages, the mother-wisdom that touches us with honesty and hope? It is in this book. Bruce Benson, Pastor, St. Olaf College

A wonderful piece of precious words that so perfectly describe the process
of grieving. We all need to know the price of mental illness. The author and her family have done a real service to others by speaking the truth. This
discussion needs to continue the rest of our lives. Richard J. Obershaw, LICSW, Founder and Director of Grief Center, Burnsville, MN and Author of Cry Until You Laugh

A beautiful telling of a sad but redemptive story of pain and loss. Gives you the opportunity to walk in the ""skin"" of someone who has loved and lived through the pain of mental illness in their family. Sally Dyck, Resident Bishop of Minnesota, The United Methodist Church

David would have been a wonderful person to know. He had a good heart,
and I shall remember his story and try to keep his spirit alive within me.
Jeannine Fraley, Spiritual Director/Faith Community Nurse

My ministry, particularly with those suffering from bipolar disorder and other mental illnesses, will be enhanced by what Pat Day has written here. Rev. Denny Dempsey, Catholic Church of St. Dominic, Northfield, MN

Vivid, so vivid. Will awaken a sense of God's presence
in the midst of your own personal pain. Cheryl Horn, Christ United Methodist Church, Cannon Falls, MN

The writing is articulate, but also highly personal Pat lets the reader see her weep and feel the darkness. By sharing her journey, Pat seeksto educate those willing to confront subjects that remain socially taboo. Paul R. Adams, PhD, LP, Clinical Psychologist and Certified Spiritual Director

An awesome book!!! Hard to put down. Doctors can gain insights on mental illness not found in textbooks. Cheryl

About this title

About the Author:

Patricia Temple Day was born and raised in Northfield, Minnesota, where she graduated from St. Olaf College with a BA in business education and a minor in English. After earning an MA from the University of Minnesota, she worked fifteen years as a high school teacher and fifteen in the academic and business world. She and her husband John raised four sons on their five-generation Century Farm in Randolph, Minnesota, where they experienced for over forty years the joys and challenges that go hand in hand with bugs and weeds, volatile crop markets, constant change, and depending on the weather.

Two of Day's anchors in the midst of turmoil have been the family farm, which has given her the opportunity to view the seasons from seed to harvest, and her church family, where she has been nurtured and has nurtured others while serving as a teacher, small group leader, and lay speaker.

Still, nothing prepared her to deal with bipolar disease, the thief that struck her family, stealing her son David's hopes and eventually his life. Whatever personal identification you give to the thief, the question is not whether but when he strikes, stealing someone or something you love. Moved by her loss, Day wrote this book. Her goal? To help others find peace and joy in the midst of their personal storm and to find answers to the question most ask at times like these: "Where is God hiding in the midst of my pain?"

About this edition

• Publisher: Xlibris
• Publication date: 2010
• ISBN 10: 1450024394
• ISBN 13: 9781450024396
• Binding: Hardcover
• Number of pages: 260