Since Madelyn has passed away, I have read more books than I have in the past 2 years. I have never been much of a reader, but I have actually found reading somewhat therapeutic.
Here is a list of the books that I have read or that I am currently reading...
1. Heaven is for Real by Todd Burpo
I know that Madelyn went straight to Heaven because she never sinned. She is a saint actually, so you can pray to her. :) This book helped me visualize Heaven through the eyes of a young child who spent a few minutes in Heaven.
2. Empty Arms: Coping with Miscarriage, Stillbirth, and Infant Death by Sherokee Isle
This book was OK. I read it immediately after we got back from the hospital. To me, it was a lot of common sense information.
3. I Will Carry You by Angie Smith
I read this a couple of weeks after Madelyn passed away. Angie Smith writes her story about her daughter receiving an "incompatible with life" diagnosis at her routine 18 week ultrasound. This book was difficult to read at times, but was helpful because it opened my eyes that I wasn't the only person to experience this. My story was different because I didn't find out there were any issues until 34 weeks and even at that, I didn't know that Madelyn would die in the end. Angie has a blog that I read that is listed on my homepage (audreycaroline.blogspot.com).
4. A Gathering of Angels: Seeking Healing after an Infant's Death by Victoria Leland, RN
This book is great. I have only read the first half so far. It is a book written by a NICU nurse and 5 mothers whose babies died in her NICU. Jim and I felt very close to Madelyn's nurses and we wouldn't have been able to deal with everything as well as we did without them. This book is great because it is an easy read and it has reflection questions for the grieving parent and for friends/family of a grieving parent. I have answered a few of the reflection questions on my blog and will probably continue to do so.
5. One Thousand Gifts by Ann Voskamp
I love this book! I bought it hoping it wouldn't have anything to do with death and grieving. The first chapter talks about death, but this book is totally what I needed to start to make sense of everything that has happened. This book could benefit anyone.
Here is the link to the "book club" videos that I watch after I read each chapter. Ann Voskamp discusses each chapter in more detail. Angie Smith (mentioned above) is in some of the videos, too. :)
One Thousand Gifts: Chapter 1
6. Made to Crave by Lysa Terkeurst
I've got some baby weight to lose and this book is great. It really addresses the issue of food cravings. We really shouldn't be craving anything more than we crave getting to know God. If my craving for a chocolate chip cookie is stronger than my craving to know God, I've got some things to work on. :) I'm only a couple chapters into this book, but I can tell it's going to be a good one.
7. Organized Simplicity by Tsh Oxenreider
Haven't started reading it yet...
