Riding Through Grief

When Barbara Manger left her home in Milwaukee for a yoga retreat in Houston, she never imagined she would receive a phone call that would turn her world upside down. But she did—a call in which she learned that Matt, her twenty-nine-year-old son, had been struck and killed by a van during a bike race in Chicago. How could she possibly go on? Speak at his funeral? Create a meaningful life without him? Each hour, day, week, and month presented seemingly insurmountable new challenges.

Riding Through Grief describes how Manger and her family faced this debilitating loss and found ways to move forward, honoring Matt’s memory and experiencing profound gratitude for his life. She relates, in a down-to-earth way, her family’s struggle to find its new normal.

Manger’s story will inspire those who have experienced a significant loss and give hope to those facing the distressing and all-too-common experience of the unexpected death of a loved one. Riding Through Grief, however, is also about resilience and renewal. It will provide insights and new perspectives to grief counselors, grief support groups, and friends and family members wanting to understand and help those who have lost a loved one.