Bob and Irene spent August 1980 on Fire Island with their seven-year-old son, Josh, and five-year-old daughter, Judy. It was glorious. Irene, who for several years had been in depression, was recovering and, for the four of them, being on Fire Island was wonderful. For some reason, however, at the end of August, without telling anyone, Irene went cold turkey off her medication. This was extremely dangerous. After Labor Day, they returned to New York City. In the early morning darkness of September 10, 1980, Irene took Josh's life, took Judy's life, and then took her own life.
Emotions and thoughts swirled around Bob. The loss of Irene whom he loved. The unbearable loss of two beautiful children who once were his. He was enveloped by grief and anger at his fate. He faced horrendous ambiguities and huge uncertainties. Besieged by an incomprehensible devastation, Bob questioned the very possibility that a benevolent God could exist. His book arrives at a deeper conviction-that love, compassion, and empathy are indispensable to oppose suffering in a world that can be brutal.
Bob gave a eulogy at his family's funeral. Then, realizing that putting his memories and thoughts on paper was enormously therapeutic, Bob started writing. As the pages accumulated, they turned into this book. Part 1, "Read It If You Dare," depicts the excruciating days that followed his family's death. Part 2, "The Battle," shows Bob fighting to have a life again. He did regain a life and, for a long time, has been able to say to his cruel, cruel adversary, "Grief, you no longer own me." With a smile, Bob titled Part 3, "Turning to Happier Thoughts."
For Bob, the sun did come out tomorrow. His book tells us that, if one is willing to fight grief hard, victory is possible.
