Gone Too Soon Jonathan T. Baer

“Gone Too Soon” is a book about grief, the sudden loss of a child, the challenges that men in particular face in grieving, and one man’s personal experience in facing these challenges. Written primarily for men, the book is accessible to everyone, including spouses and friends who know a dad who's suffered loss, as well as for mental health professionals. The book reads as a real conversation between the reader and the author, not only to make it easy to read but more importantly, to have the vignettes described in the book be completely relatable.

Jon shares his efforts to cope with feeling a complete lack of control in his life and wondering if he would ever feel better. He writes about his initial tendency to isolate himself from friends, resenting their not knowing how to provide support, and discovering the importance of letting friends know how they can be supportive. He shares his struggle to accept the reality of his daughter’s death and its impact on his faith. Jon writes about how to respond to the question, “How many children do you have?” and the challenges involved in deciding about having more children.

It is Jon’s hope that this book provides you with thoughts and ideas to consider in an effort to help you cope with your loss and provide aid in formulating your own game plan as you navigate this painful journey.