Singer- songwriter Judy Collins composes lovely words in The Seven T's: Finding Hope and Healing in the Wake of Tragedy. A heartfelt true tale colored with personal memories and soulful feelings translate into a masterpiece song for the reader.
Judy Collins, known for her folk classics and brilliant blue eyes, expresses vulnerability, compassion and wisdom for all those in dire need of hope.
Collins’ personal experience of losing a son to suicide and healing in the midst of a life-shattering occurrence provides the reader a sense of optimism. “I knew if I didn’t move toward the light, I would be forever engulfed in the darkness,” states Collins with an incredible sense of sincerity. Although loss is a universal concept and stages of grief are not a new phenomenon to articulate in a book, a fresh perspective is offered and presented with an inspirational invitation.
Collins states up-front and grapples with residual questions from her own loss: how could this happen and could I have prevented this loss? The struggle of the soul is apparent, especially as a parent strives to protect a child, independent of their age. However, the reader cannot help but believe that if Collins can ascertain peace despite inclement circumstances, anything in life is possible. Resilience of the human spirit endures tragic moments and lifeless thoughts, but somehow, someway, Collins pressed ahead - and as a result created this book.
Mantras of sorts serve as the premise for the book - The Seven T’s, for Truth, Trust, Therapy, Treasure, Treat, Thrive and Transcend. Each mantra, or “healing tool,” aids a person in moving from grief toward achievement of happiness. Affirmations correlate to each chapter’s subject matter. One such affirmation, really touched a chord with me: “I will find goodness in the world and celebrate it.” The predominant theme is that a person must find forgiveness and acceptance; only then can an individual finally let go of the inner demons of their loss.
The Seven T's: Finding Hope and Healing in the Wake of Tragedy is bigger and broader than a self-help guide. A love story between mother and son evokes an amazing sense of the genuine, on the part of Collins. This book is truly a great love song, written from the heart by an ardent mother to a son lost along life’s path.
Collins excels at propelling a person to grasp the good times and walk toward the sunshine even if the rain is hammering downward. A negative occurrence is spit out as a new beginning for others. The Seven T's: Finding Hope and Healing in the Wake of Tragedy is a must-read for anyone experiencing loss, searching for personal growth, and striving to satisfy the hunger of the human spirit.