Heartbreaking

If you're thinking of getting this book, there's something you need to think about first. Know what it is you're buying!
If you're looking for a book about the life of Jim Beaver, with maybe some fun behind-the-scenes tidbits about his life as an actor, this is not that book. (sorry to all the supernatural fans, but you'll find no mention of Jensen Ackles until the acknowledgements)

What this book does give you, is a very detailed account of the year the author corresponded daily with friends and loved ones about his wife's cancer diagnosis, her subsequent battle, and the emotional aftermath for Jim as he was forced to adjust to life and raising their young daughter without her.

Is this book worth reading? Wholeheartedly YES! But be warned, it is harrowing. I took longer reading this than I'd anticipated, as I was only able to get through it in small pieces, and even then I couldn't manage to do it with dry eyes.

But it is also beautiful in its way, and oh so very human. Jim lays it all out there: The pain, the fear, the anger and the guilt. There was a particular part where he described something I'd been struggling with myself, something no-one ever talks about, and the simple knowledge that I wasn't alone was such a relief to me that I wished I'd read this long ago.
What amazes me most is how even during the worst year of his life, he was able to write so eloquently. On the strength of this alone I will gladly read anything else he has written...
Hopefully the next time I won't need quite so many tissues though.

Mostly though, I hadn't realised I needed to read this book, but now that I have, I will be thankful for it for a long time to come.

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Amazing

Amazingly brave and awe inspiring, Jim shares his highs and lows and manages to truly engulf you in his journey, sharing what must have been the hardest time of his life, it moved me to tears and made me laugh too in places as his wit and humour seeped in.

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Brilliant and Heart-breaking

I didn't know much about Jim's life before this book, only that he was an actor that had started in many shows. This was an interesting insight into his life, and was funny at times and very upsetting at others, but a thoroughly enjoyable listen to the audio book. I still wonder how he had the strength to go back and not only read what he wrote all those years ago, but to record himself reading it all. I would definitely recommend listening to the audio book, or reading the book, to any that are interested in the actor's life, or to see through somebody else's eyes how grief can affect somebody.

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Heart breaking and heart touching

What a beautifully written and narrated story. This is at all times both heart breaking and heart touching. Complied from emails that Jim sent to his family and friends during the time of Cecily's illness it takes the listener back to the actual time of events. I found myself wanting to join in the prayers for her recovery and being hit with a the inevitable lightning bolt seconds later when I remembered it was all too late.
I found myself crying when Jim described the confusion of little Maddie who didn't know what she wanted and was far too young to understand what was going on. Her cries of 'Maddie up' Maddie down' will break you.
How anyone carries on after the death of their loved one is always unfathomable but Jim had Maddie to care for and it was this bright little 'monkey' that kept her Daddy going. My book of the year without a doubt.

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TJ123

Jim Beaver has shown how the journey of life can be different but bring people together and create amazing network of family and friends that can pull together
How memories are important and to be treasured

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