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Table of Contents
About The Book
When Sally learns that her twenty-one-year-old son Christopher died tragically in a boat accident, her greatest fear is realized. Christopher was often drawn to risk and struggled with addiction, and in this riveting memoir, Sally captures the wild ride of his jam-packed life and her deep love for him while also reflecting on her own childhood and family legacy of alcoholism.
This book is for any parent raising a child from the edge of their seat, or for those suffering the trauma of losing a child. Sally shares insights about what it’s like to experience the emotional aftershocks of acute grief, and readers may see themselves in Sally’s bittersweet illusion of trying to keep Christopher safe; in how she is challenged to let go of her fear, guilt, and regret in order to forgive herself; and in the ways grief teaches her about the power of love. Reaching for Beautiful is a luminous story of how love triumphs over pain, love transcends fear, and love never dies.
Product Details
- Publisher: She Writes Press (April 1, 2025)
- Length: 256 pages
- ISBN13: 9781647428617
Raves and Reviews
“Powerful . . . honest . . . and inspiring, Reaching for Beautiful is a heartfelt journey through a mother’s grief experience, moving from darkness to light. It demonstrates the resilience of the human spirit, allowing for deep, authentic faith, purpose and meaning after unimaginable loss.” —Rebecca Rosen, spiritual medium and author of What’s Your Heaven?
“In Reaching for Beautiful, McQuillen shares her story with ineffable grace and insight, showing us how ‘over time the light outshines the darkness.’ Whatever hardship you are facing, reading this book will have you believing that her mission is beacon-possible.” —Laura Munson, founder of the Haven Writing Programs and New York Times and USA Today best-selling author of This Is Not The Story You Think It Is and Willa’s Grove
“In the aftermath of her son’s accidental drowning, author Sally McQuillen grapples with a grief complicated by his prior years of alcohol abuse. McQuillen is unafraid to share the roller coaster ride that is family addiction. In recovery herself, devoting her life toward helping others impacted by addiction, her loss is particularly poignant.” —Sukey Forbes, author of The Angel in My Pocket
“Reaching for Beautiful is not just for someone who has lost a child, or has loved a child, it's for anyone who has loved at all. McQuillen writes with the voice of a poet, lyrically, as well as straight to the heart. Her story is both a heartbreaking and a heart-opening must-read.” —Kristen Moeller, MS, literary agent and author of What Are You Waiting For?
“Luminous and deeply affecting, McQuillen’s gift as a writer is to turn a deeply personal story into a blueprint for all of us navigating the line between loving our children and letting them go. With a storyteller’s gift and a therapist’s mind, she leaves the reader with a sense of awe at life’s beauty, and the promise of a love that transcends grief.” —Julie Fingersh, author of Stay: A Memoir of Family, Love and Other Traumas
Resources and Downloads
High Resolution Images
- Book Cover Image (jpg): Reaching for Beautiful eBook 9781647428617