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Pam
11-07-2003, 08:20 AM
I was watching Fox news this morning, and I was so moved by an interview, that I had to write down and share this information.

They had a woman on, Sherri Mandell, whose 13 year old son Koby was brutally murdered in Israel. He was stoned with rocks the size of bowling balls, in a cave, and the murderers painted the walls of the cave with his blood.

The mother, Sherri Mandell, spoke of her instant need to turn this tradgedy into triumph. She spoke of reaching into her spiritual beliefs, and consulting with other "wise women" and spiritual leaders of her faith, in order to find meaning and hope.

She spoke about the loss becoming the basis of a new strength and bringing more meaning into her life.

She spoke of being told "to move on" in her grief, but said that wasn't really possible or even advisable. That you have to "move through" grief, and fully experience it, not simply "move on".

She also spoke about the "visit" that her son paid her in a dream, along with another friend who had passed. In the visit, her son let her know that he was OK now.

She has set up a foundation in memory of her son, and they have a website located at http://www.kobymandell.org

She also wrote a book: (from her website)
The Blessing of a Broken Heart (http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/detail/-/159264029X/spiritdiscove-20) will take you straight to the soul of a grieving, broken-hearted mother. Sherri Mandell has penned an absorbing, deeply painful and yet strangely beautiful account of her loss, sharing her thoughts and emotions as she moves through the first stages of mourning after Koby's murder. Struggling to find a way to carry on, she embarks on a journey of discovery and growing faith as she endeavors to understand her pain in the context of three thousand years of Jewish history and tradition.

THE BLESSING OF A BROKEN HEART is a life-affirming account of her journey that is full of pain, beauty and courage. Mandell's ability to find meaning in the depths of darkness and her determination to look for grace and love rather than succumb to hate and despair are inspiring and humbling. She is broken-hearted, but not broken.


Amazon reviews notes that she does not go into the political issues in the middle east that in part, led to her son's death. This is fine by me, because it would keep the reader focused on the spiritual aspect of loss and grief. I intend to buy this book today, and as I said, I felt moved to share it here.
-Pam

Jude
11-07-2003, 09:20 AM
How very powerful. I read things like this and have to wonder where that strength comes from, and whether I would ever have it, given similar circumstances.

SVMAXX
11-07-2003, 07:03 PM
Pam,
It sounds very moving and I can see why you were prompted to refer it. I am anxious to read this book.
Thanks,
Terry

Antsmom
11-08-2003, 05:13 PM
May God bless her! Any loss of a child is the worst possible loss, but the way her son was murdered is absolutely horrible. No doubt God and Mother Mary are walking with her. I may just get the book.

Much Love,
Veronica