Through Death to Life

by Ron Gries

Book Overview

When the diagnosis of terminal cancer was given to Patty Gries in September of 1993, a four and a half year journey was begun that brought to vivid consciousness the precious nature of life, the... This description may be from another edition of this product.

• Format: Hardcover
• Language: English
• ISBN: 1882792874
• ISBN13: 9781882792870
• Release Date: March 2000
• Publisher: First Page Publications
• Length: 235 Pages
• Weight: 0.75 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.9" x 5.6" x 8.8"

Customer Reviews

Through Death to Life by Ron Gries

This is the first grief book that I have read from a male perspective - what a joy to read it! It is the story of an unbelievably difficult journey for both patient (Patty) and caregiver (Ron). As someone who has suffered two recent losses - and also someone who helps to facilitate Grief Recovery classes, I found myself deeply helped by his sharing. I also have marked several pages to read at my next Grief Recovery class.

Final years of a beautiful marriage - a truly amazing story!

Rarely do we ever have an opportunity to read a man's personal diary and letters. Ron Gries never dreamed his many and varied views of Patty's long struggle with cancer would end up in a book, but it happened. The letters he sent to their children and the poems he wrote for himself could have been edited, but they were not. This makes the book totally real. He did a fine job of adding just enough additional pages to blend them together. What a marvelous guide for marriage enrichment and for knowing better what to say and do for a loved one who has a terminal illness. We were neighbors of Patty and Ron from 1979 until 1988, as we raised our kids and played bridge. Then I knew them casually. Thanks to Ron's book, scratch casually and substitute intimately. Ron is one fantastic man!

Through Death to Life

I was astonished to find myself as the owner of one of the finest books I have ever read. How uplifting and heartfelt it was. I was just blown away by the beauty of the book and how precious life is. It inspired me to write a love letter to my husband.

Beautifully sensitive.

Ron Gries has written a book that touches the heart and soul as he shares with us the inevitable loss of his dear wife. His sensitive poems and prose allow the reader to understand that death is not something to be feared, but rather can be an opportunity for personal growth. Since his writing took place as the various life events were actually happening, we are afforded the rare glimpse into the heart of a man, who has found that through his writing was able to deal with his grief before, during and after the death of his wife. Anyone who reads this book will begin to discover that it is through these difficult times that our character, heart and spirit grows beyond our own limitations. This book is not only for those who have experienced the loss of a loved one, but for anyone who wants to understand what life is about.

A wonderfully inspirational, soulful, simple, moving book!

Ron Gries has the enviable ability to identify his emotions, accept them, and express them in simple beautiful words. In his first book, Through Death to Life, he shares the emotional turmoil of his wife's illness, death, and the resulting grief with a clarity that goes straight to the reader's heart. He also writes about his personal growth that results from this suffering. In so doing, he offers hope for those grieving that they too can move beyond their sorrow. It is inspirational both to those who have suffered such a loss and to those of us who will in the future.I am a hospice volunteer who sits with dying patients to give their caregiver a break. I also offer friendship and support to both the patient and the caregiver. I'm so convinced that this book will be helpful, that I plan to give a copy to each caregiver.