I’ve had the book Rare Bird on my book shelf for months. Admittedly, I put off reading it. I knew Anna’s tragic story of losing her son, had read her beautiful words for years on her blog and had met her in person and talked and talked and talking about mothering and grieving.
I was afraid to read because I didn’t want to be pulled down by the devastating sadness in her story. What I didn’t know would happen was that I would be lifted up by the hope.
Rare Bird shares the intricacies of motherhood, the push and pull of parenting and of wanting to keep our kids safe while teaching them resilience. I found myself not only comforted by the universal truths of grief Anna shares so openly but by the honest glimpses of motherhood sprinkled throughout.
No one has ever told me grief feels a lot like shame. -Anna Donaldson, Rare Bird
This book was a page-turner. I went from being worried about opening it up to not being able to put it down. Anna invites you into that space on her living room couch and teaches you about grace and survival and the strongest of faith. I have been telling everyone I know to read it so it’s only fitting I share it here as well. Yes, you might cry a little, you might shake your head at the unfairness of what happened to this family and a life cut far too short but you will be so filled with hope, I promise.
You will begin reading this book wondering how anyone can survive the unimaginable and end it believing in the power of kindness and the unsinkable human spirit.
I get a sense I’m learning from the women who show up for me. Who offer themselves up in a way that I’ve never had the guts to do. They are braver than they think. -Anna Donaldson, Rare Bird
I love Rare Bird so much that I’m giving away a copy, in hopes you will read it and pass it along and along and along. We all need it. We need to know that we can survive and come out the other side with a grace and faith that is even a small fraction of that which Anna holds.
Leave a comment telling me why you want to read Rare Bird for a chance to win a copy.
Comments
Powered by Facebook Comments
This sounds like an absolutely beautiful book that I’d be honored to read & pass along to another loss mama.
Thank you for the opportunity.
Love
❤️Hadley❤️
I read your entry on this book and I do feel like I need to read this right away. I am experiencing some of the things mentioned and am confused about the grief and the pain. All these women who have written would be perfect to receive this gift and I pray that they all have an opportunity to read the book. Thanks for offering this as a way to win it.
I read Rare Bird two weeks ago. I could have finished it in one sitting except after every chapter, I would put the book down on purpose. I was taking small breaks from the rawness of her grief. Then it occurred to me that Anna (and those who are grieving a loss) do not get a break from the pain. They’re in it. Living it. All the time. How do they survive?
So I read the rest in one swift gasp of hurt and love and HOPE.
It was miraculous, how she could offer up so much hope.
I would love to have a book to give grieving people. one that continually filters through my hands and never sits long on the shelf.
I would like to read & then keep it circulating. The book that keeps giving back & honoring Jack
I want to win rare bird because I have known Anna since I was a teenager (I’m turning 40 next month) and I want to read it to support her. I also want to read it before I go out to lunch with her in October. Anna is a wonderful person and I want nothing but success for her!
I was so touched by her writing and then met Anna at BlogU and loved her even more! Can’t wait to read the book- because Imma win it!
I’ve read a few of the book’s reviews, and then I went to her blog and I immediately fell in love with Anna. She is a marvel, a miracle, a wonder. I am so inspired by her words, her message and her journey. I want so badly to read her book- and as I am starting to be more intentional about sharing and promoting bloggers and their books, you’d bet I’ll be sharing it on my blog and promoting it through and through.
I’m so afraid to read this book. I’m not sure why. But maybe it’s because I’m desperately afraid of losing a loved one. But I’ve heard so many good things about the hope this book reveals, so maybe it’s almost a balm to those who have lost before.
Would be honored to read Anna’s story. Follower & friend of her blog. We sadly share child loss as a connection. Would gift it to other grieving moms and donate to church library.
As a mother to four children in Heaven, I have a desire to read Rare Bird to help promote more people to break the silence regarding pregnancy, infant and child loss. After I read the book, I plan to donate it to a local bereaved parent support group’s library of books.
I’ve followed Anna’s blog for years… I love her writing, her perspective and her wisdom. I’d love to read Rare Bird. All the reviews say it is full of hope, and we all need that in life.
Thanks for the opportunity.
I have and have read this book, so don’t enter me in your giveaway, but I agree so much about this book and its messages. It was beautiful and terrible and hopeful and I feel so grateful that Anna put this book (and so much of what Jack had to share) into the world.
I think this story (which I followed on her blog) would give me added perspective and compassion. We all benefit from adding that to our lives. Thank you for the opportunity.