- CANADIAN AUTHOR -
V. Joy Pavelich
Chasing My Son Across Heaven: A Mother's Story
In the early morning hours of August 4, 2013, Joy Pavelich’s world was shattered when she found out that her twenty-year old son Eric had taken his own life at the family farm in Saskatchewan. Struggling to make sense of Eric's sudden and unexpected suicide, Joy takes a deeply personal and difficult journey through his past―from his happy childhood, to his mental health struggles in his early teens, to his death and the resulting aftermath of his passing.
Chasing My Son Across Heaven demonstrates how to rebuild a life fractured by extreme trauma using storytelling as a powerful healing tool. The author tackles some of the most pressing issues facing society today; youth mental health, suicide and post-traumatic stress. Through her explorations, Joy reveals how we can all find the courage to rebuild our lives while continuing to honour the deep love for those we've lost.
Speaks to the heart of hope that, when faced with deep loss, love is still the answer.
Barnet Bain, producer of What Dreams May Come
There are people you meet in the world that like you to think they're qualified by way of their achievements; Joy's qualifications come from the school of hard knocks and experience. Joy is all heart and soul. And I can't think of anybody more qualified to tell the story she has so graciously decided to share with all of us. It's honest, it's painful, but it's real. It doesn't get any better than that.
Kenny Munshaw, Singer, Songwriter, Arms of Heaven
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When someone goes through tragedy, people will often say that 'everything happens for a reason'. I've never believed or taught that. I believe that things happen with potential; both good and bad. Tragedy has the ability to tear apart an individual, a family, a community, or an entire country. But tragedy also has the ability to bring people together. And that takes choice. Joy has been the perfect example of that. She could have allowed her tragedy to destroy her. But has rather decided to take her story and use it to help others when faced with the same pain she has gone through. That takes such courage. Meeting Joy Pavelich is one of the greatest gifts I've ever been given. I am so proud to know her and call her a friend. Anyone with the opportunity to meet her or read her book will receive the gift I did the day I met her."
Robb Nash, The Robb Nash Project, Musician
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I found it heartbreaking, depressing, inspiring and instructive all at once. It's a story for our times because it touches on great scourges that plague us today, including mental illness, youth suicide and the agony of dealing with Post Traumatic Stress Disorder. (Joy) wrote through her pain and thereby helped us understand the lives of people like her and, perhaps, if we happen to be so unfortunate, ourselves. Consequently, I would say having Chasing My Son Across Heaven and Joy Pavelich in our world makes it a better place.
Sean Prpick, retired CBC producer & former journalist
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From Joy I've learned that no matter how deep the scars are, how strong the loss is, the hurt and brokenness inside, to never stop believing or trusting or following the Path that was meant for you! And this is what she shares in Chasing My Son Across Heaven.
Rui Portugal Ribeiro, Owner, Ultreia y Suseia
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When I look at Joy's book, I think of Robert Kennedy's quote 'tragedy is a tool for the living to gain wisdom, not a guide by which to live.' I think this captures the author and the players of her book in that it somehow covers hope and understanding. Chasing My Son Across Heaven is a selfless, raw story... which can perhaps bring understanding to, or about, tragedy.
Honourable Lynne Yelich, MP, PC, Canada
Treaty 7 Land Acknowledgement - Home of the Blackfoot
I would like to take this opportunity to acknowledge the traditional territories of the peoples of the Treaty 7 region in Southern Alberta where I make my home. This includes the Blackfoot First Nation tribes of Siksika, the Piikuni, the Kainai, the Stoney Nakoda First Nations tribes of Chiniki, Bearspaw, and Wesley and the Tsuut’ina First Nation.