Sunday, February 21, 2010

Book Review - "Born an Angel"

So... my good friend Bettina (Tina) Walsh wrote a book. And it was published while I was pregnant with Claire. The book is about miscarriage, something that unfortunately both Tina and I have had to go through. Those of you who know me know how much I love to read. And when my friend becomes a published author, you know I wanted to inhale it the day she I bought it. But it's about miscarriage. And I was pregnant. So both Tina and my friend Naomi, the editor of the book, told me to wait until after the baby was born to read it. I didn't want to wait but I figured they were telling me this for a reason and I needed to trust them.

I read it last night.

Born an Angel is the only book I've found that truly, honestly, heart-wrenchingly addresses just about everything you deal with when you lose a baby before he/she is born. It addresses how the mother feels, emotionally and physically, it addresses how differently people cope and grieve, how older siblings deal with the loss of their baby brother/sister, it addresses the awkward and hurtful comments people sometimes make (even with the best of intentions), and it addresses how those who love you and care about you want to help but don't always know how they can. It covers several medical scenarios. I cried and cried in parts and smiled with joy in others. I don't want to give any of the book away so I can't say much. I'll just say that it's a raw, honest story that I'm glad I waited to read but am even more glad to read at all.

Like Tina, when I had my miscarriage, I searched and searched for knowledge, compassion and answers. I am a reader. I dug through the library and the internet and really didn't find anything very helpful. Tina's book really relates. I'm very sad that she had to endure the pain of a miscarriage too but I'm glad that she chose to write a book as one of her outlets. It reaffirmed to me last night that I am not alone in the pain I went through 12 years ago or the pain I still feel at times about losing our first-born.

If you want to read the book or buy it as a gift for someone you know who's going through the loss of their baby, you can buy a copy here: http://bettinawalsh.com/

Or you can borrow my copy. Just be sure to give it back... it's signed by the author and it's mine, all mine. :)

Deanna

2 comments:

Mimi said...

Good Morning,

I see that you are awake and on the computer early also. I didn't know that Tina had written this book, but I would like to read it! I also had a miscarriage before Brian was born, and I still wonder who that child would have been. You never forget the experience or the emotional pain. I am glad that Tina wrote this book for all of us.

See you at Bay Valley this morning. I am looking forward to celebrating Claire!

Love,
Mimi

Tina said...

Wow - thank you so much for your review! I'm blushing over here! :)

I was wondering if you could do me a huge favor. Would you mind leaving a short review on Amazon for me? I am hoping that if I get enough good reviews, I will have an easier time finding a publisher for my next book! That would be awesome! Here is a link for it: http://www.amazon.com/Born-Angel-Bettina-Walsh/dp/1441523170/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1266781589&sr=8-3

Have a great Sunday afternoon,

Tina