Book Review | Etched…Upon My Heart

Etched…Upon My Heart: What We Learn and Why We Never Forget by Jill Kelly is one very special book that has undeniably left a lasting impression on me after I had the pleasure of reading it. In fact, it is one of those rare books that I will leave on my nightstand to re-read excerpts at night before going to bed as a reminder to myself about my pledge to leave a lifelong imprint on my own children’s lives.

Jill Kelly is a New York Times best-selling author who is married to former Buffalo Bills quarterback Jim Kelly. In 1997, the couple experienced every parent’s worst nightmare when their precious infant son, Hunter was diagnosed with a terminal disease, Krabbe Leukodustrophy. With great strength, they went on to found the Hunter’s Hope Foundation in their son’s memory and to raise awareness for the devastating disease.

Etched…Upon My Heart is a beautifully written book that was written as a “living epistle” to her daughters. I am most appreciative of the author’s raw emotion and inspirational reflections as she recounts her stories in chapters including themes of “Love, Significance, Forgiveness (my personal favorite), Suffering, Giving, Prayer, Faithfulness and Death”. As a mother, reading the author’s stories about her life, I can feel her joy, grasp a glimpse into her moments of sorrow and ultimately take from it that our lives are created of “moments”. While not all of those moments are going to be perfect…..we will ultimately look back on our lives and realize that each of those moments are woven together to create the totality of our existence.

The author draws upon her belief and Christian faith and relates to the reader how God has worked in her life and the lives of her family….even in those moments of extreme suffering. It is a testament to her love of family and her dedication to her religious faith.

In my life my beloved sister lost her only child and while all of us who loved this extraordinary young girl have feel the immense pain of loss it is so hard for me to even imagine the pain my sister feels every single day. My sister draws upon her faith to keep her going and will tell anyone who asks that this is what has gotten her through this loss. Reading Etched…Upon My Heart has given me insight into this world that every parent dreads and it gives even more admiration to these amazingly strong mothers of faith who have lost a child.

You are invited to visit the author’s website to learn more about this book, Etched…Upon My Heart which is available for purchase online and at major retailers.

*I received a copy of this book for review, but was not compensated financially in any way. The opinions expressed are my own and are based solely on my experiences while reading this novel.*