Life Came to a Standstill
True Accounts of Loss, Love, and Hope
by Gwendolyn Broadmore

---

How does a parent live through the death of a child? This profound and poignant compilation of the courageous personal journeys of seven grieving mothers and one grieving sister offers a road map of how to cope with the anguish of traumatic, unexpected loss—giving inspiration for continuing to live. Each narrative lovingly remembers the deceased, honestly conveys the shock of death, and details the grief work that the survivors—and their extended family members—have done to move toward healing and make a new life without their loved one. Though these are stories of painful loss, they are also inspiring accounts of strength, hope, and love, lighting the way from the darkest sorrow to the first shimmer of hope. An extensive addendum includes helpful supplementary material with valuable professional insights—guidance to help you navigate, when your once familiar world feels like an alien landscape.

www.gwendolynbroadmore.com

---

"Stories can lighten the darkness by making rainbows. Such is the power and relevance of the stories in Life Came to a Standstill." - Dr. Hoi F. Cheu - Laurentian University "In Life Came to a Standstill, seven bereaved mothers and one bereaved sibling present their personal reactions to the traumatic and unexpected deaths of their loved ones. Whether the cause of death was homicide, a motor vehicle accident, suicide, or a fatal blood clot, the contributors take the reader into the profound personal and familial devastation following these heartrending fatalities. Born of the penetrating pain of loss, each powerful account illustrates the struggle to survive and the strength of the human spirit as each survivor moves from devastation to regeneration—in the final analysis, choosing to live fully again. This insightful and inspiring collection is an important read for both the bereaved and the professionals working with them." —Stephen Fleming, PhD, C, Psych., Emeritus Professor & Senior Scholar, Psychology Department, Faculty of Health, York University, Toronto "The aim of Life Came to a Standstill is to give bereaved parents and siblings, such as myself, the permission to grieve, and to mourn within our own space and time, all the while feeling comfort and support from those who have gone through the tragic experience of losing a child. No one can even begin to describe the pain involved in such a traumatic experience, but the authors of this book have had the courage to map out their grief paths, each in their individual writing style. At some point in their journeys, they have chosen life, in a way that inspires us to do so as well. This is why I find this book so moving: ultimately, it speaks to those of us who want to choose life, but who desperately need the support of those who understand." —Christine Evain, Assistant Professor, Ecole Centrale de Nantes, France Life Came to a Standstill is a collection of remarkably honest and vulnerable accounts of loving, loss, pain, and hope. Each person’s story is courageous and candid in approach, which will help the reader to cope with his/her grief after the sudden death of a loved one. This book validates the experience of loss, provides nuggets of wisdom, and most importantly, provides hope while touching the reader’s heart. It is a must-read. —Christine Goguen, BA, Sociology: Diploma, “Human Services Counselling,” Bereavement Services Coordinator, Bereaved Families of Ontario-York Region

---

Gwendolyn Broadmore lives in Ontario with her husband and their opinionated parrot, Blue. The sudden, violent death of her son, Liam, as well as the stories of the countless bereaved parents who have shared their pain with her, inspired this book. In the early days of her grief, Gwen found that reading the stories of others carried and consoled her. She hopes Life Came to a Standstill will likewise provide validation and encouragement to those who may struggle with the deep anguish of sorrow and the loneliness of loss. Gwen’s first publication, Grief and the Courts, a not-for-profit booklet resource for surviving victims of violent crime, is available online. Contributing Writers: Carol Reid-LeClair, Helen Jay, Janet Rice, Beverley Ogus, Kathleen Stevens, Susan Massey, Marjorie Suzanne (Suzy) Richardson.

---

Contributors

Author

Gwendolyn Broadmore

---

Other eBook Editions

This book is also available in eBook format from these sites.

• Amazon Kindle Store
• Nook Store
• Apple Books
• Google Play