Book excerpt: A poignant memoir of loss, and an inspirational guide to healing after a loved one’s sudden death or suicide. When a loved one dies suddenly, at a young age, or by suicide, families and friends are often left in shock-riddled grief. This shock—and the stigmatized feelings that sometimes accompany such tragedies—can isolate the bereaved and stall their healing, even as they yearn to connect with others. Abiding Light is a four-generation testimony-rich resource for those grieving this kind of loss and for the communities that support them. It can be read alone or in a group, as it serves as a companion and fosters compassionate care and conversation through deep grief. Simply through reading the personal stories within Abiding Light, empathy and sympathy—given space and time—can seed courage and deeper connection through patience and conversation.