very dark places: a memoir of grief, family, and learning to survive unimaginable loss

Very Dark Places: a memoir of grief, family, and learning to survive unimaginable loss by Kristen Thomson Sheely presents a raw, unflinching, and sometimes brutal look at the guilt, sorrow, trauma, and grief that surrounds the loss of a child. From the horrific phone call that changed her life forever to the devastating acceptance that her son, Derek, a 22-year-old college senior in the best shape of his life, suffered a "freak accident" playing the game he loved, to the shocking twist: an anonymous email that detailed the gruesome truth, that her son's death was, in fact, preventable, compelling an investigation, a lawsuit, and ultimately a landmark settlement against the NCAA. Very Dark Places captures how quickly a life of joy can turn into a life of unimaginable grief, and it delves into an exploration of the pain and struggle to find meaning and purpose in a world that has been shattered. Grief is love, and since love never ends, neither does grief.