How can a mother go on, after discovering her son does the unthinkable??

          Forgiven

The Amish School Shooting, 

A Mother's Love,

And a Story of Remarkable Grace

    Terri Roberts 

with Jeanette Windle

This book is one that will make you think deep within you. 

On October, 2, 2006, a gunman entered an Amish one room schoolhouse, shooting ten little girls, killing five, then took his own life. This book is his mother's story. She not only lost her son but also had to deal with the fact that her precious boy had done the unbelievable. Charlie had been an honorable man, with morals and what everyone thought was a deep Christian faith. How and why would he commit this horrendous deed? 

The biggest question of all arose after the killings!! Her Amish neighbours did the unbelievable , reaching out to the family of the shooter with  comfort and forgiveness.  The media picked up on this unusual act and it made as many headlines in newspapers as did the murders themselves. In a cruel world, full of unforgiving individuals, there exists the Amish communities who forgive all! Not something that usually happens after a tragedy. Where is the anger  and resentment???

That is a question that we all ask. The answers can be found in this book, at least , from the viewpoint of the murderers family and the Amish themselves. Today, Terri, the mother, lives in harmony with the Amish and has built lasting relationships. No one could every have foreseen the empathy, forgiveness and friendship that Terri and her family have received to this day.

This is a book that makes you think about your own life. The Amish have set an example for the world with their ability to live their faith! Are we able to do half as well??  The deep meaning stays with you long after the book has been read. 

Terri has told her story in a way in which we can all identify. Any mother could experience this! None of us has control over the actions of others, even our those of our beloved children.

Definitely a book that has a purpose. We all need to think about how this tragedy and the results can change all of us. 

A five star book!

This book was supplied by Bethany House and Graff Martin Communications in exchange for a fair and honest review. Now available from your local bookseller.