We Go On By Regina Walker

We Go On
by Regina Walker
Self Published
ASIN: B087F2GQDN

I learned recently that a good way to work with an author who you've never read, but would like to have you review their book, is to just read a couple of chapters. That's what I did when Regina reached out to me, and those first few chapters did me in enough for me to ask for the whole book to review!

I want to warn my readers that this book covers the topic of suicide and grief.

Summary:

Life has been comfortable for the Miller family. Liz and Josh have devoted their lives to raising their two sons. Their oldest son, Colby, reached adulthood and set out on his own. A few hard knocks sent him back to live with Mom and Dad, until life got to be too much, that is. As Liz and Josh grapple with the hole in their hearts left by Colby’s early departure from this world, they find themselves at odds with one another and with their faith.

Will they remember that Jesus is enough in the middle of this dark storm? Will they see through their own pain and help each other and their teenage son, Tyler, learn to live despite the grief?

My Review:

As a book reviewer, and as someone who has lived a not so easy life, I find it important to be willing to read books that cover topics that don't always make us comfortable. Suicide is one of those topics. I don't recall ever reading a book that specifically deals fully with that topic, and honestly, I was more than a bit hesitant to accept reading We Go On, initially. As I said above though, after I read the first few chapters, I HAD to read the rest. The writing was so compelling, so gripping, so raw, so real I couldn't say, "No," simply because it's a hard topic.

Regina Walker handles the subject of suicide in a way that completely gutted me. As a mom of older kids, I was able to understand Liz's grief. Well, as much as anyone who hasn't lost a child to suicide that is. I could easily see myself reacting exactly as she did. I found myself completely relating to her depth of loss and heartache. She's a mom whose life has been completely dedicated to her kids. She's basically me on paper.

I appreciated how Regina doesn't tiptoe over how everyone reacts differently in a family to grief. I've heard of marriages disintigrating over suicide and through this story, I could completely understand that as the story of how Liz and Josh process the loss of Colby. And then there's Tyler, their youngest son, who is left in the wake of his brother's death. It's all so heart wrenching.

One of the pieces I could relate to was how therapeutic horses can be. When my world seemed to crash around me, my horse, Winston, gave me a safe place to grieve. I could go out to the barn, call him to me, and lean against him just to cry. I felt that so deeply with Dusty. You'll learn more about Dusty throughout this story.

And yes, this is a difficult topic, but I'm telling you, this is a story not to be missed. My emotions ran the gamut from despair for their loss, to anger, to hope. No, this isn't easy, but suicide is real and families go through it daily. The stigma that goes along with suicide only remains as long as we aren't willing to discuss it. In this story, while there's a heavy weight about it, as you walk along the path with the characters, you make it to the end - not with all of the answers or with everyone singing kumbya,  I hope you will give Regina's book a try.

About the Author:

Regina Walker was born in the beautiful state of Colorado. She moved to Oklahoma in her late teen years, where she has resided ever since. She likes to curl up on the couch and binge-watch crime shows with her hard-working husband. When she's not wrestling with a writing project, she can be found wrangling their children, riding their horses, or tending the garden. Along with finding horses on their small farm, chickens, dogs, and cats can be found at nearly every turn.
Regina crafts compelling characters facing some of life's hardest challenges. Her heart's desire is to always point toward Jesus through the way her characters face challenges, relationships, and adversity.