Until Forever
Nancy K Schriefer

Softcover, 2000
Onjinjinkta Publishing
Seattle, Washington
ISBN 1-892714-04-3

AUTHOR BIO
SAMPLE CHAPTER

PURCHASE

At one time or another, we will all suffer the loss of a loved one. It is natural to grieve their passing, feel a profound sense of loss, and mourn that we may no longer hold them while we express our love to them. But perhaps these feelings grow out of an unnecessary fear of death. Perhaps we can come to understand that those who pass on have taken another step in their own progression, and that we can continue to honor and love them with the same brightness of hope as before their passing. This is the very thing Nancy K. Schriefer's new book, Until Forever, helps us learn.
Until Forever is a small book, but only if it is measured by weight or dimension. In clear, simple prose, it tells the story of Pat McGrew, whose idyllic life is shattered when she receives the fateful telephone call to inform her of her husband's untimely death. Pat falls into a state of shock and disbelief, which soon turns to the pain of loneliness. Ms. Schriefer's elegant style allows us to feel the weight of this common human tragedy, taking us as close as words can to the heart of one who suffers in the wake of losing someone so dear.
But the story doesn't end there. Until Forever is about much more than grief; it is about a promise between two people who share an undying love. Pat's husband, Sam, had made a promise to let her know he was all right in whatever place follows this mortal life. As Pat confronts her loss, subtle reminders of the love she and Sam shared brush her like gentle breezes, reminding her of the joy she'd once known. And in time, Pat not only accepts Sam's passing, she also learns that "until forever" is not simply a lovely phrase, but the very nature of love itself.
Ultimately, Pat's lesson is intended for all of us: Life beyond grief is indeed possible, and love is the power that makes it so. Until Forever is an important book because it tells the tale of loss truthfully, and captures the beauty of the human spirit as it defeats the fear of death and embraces the moment of life. It is an important book because it celebrates the never-ending quality of love. These are triumphs worth writing about, and Nancy Schriefer has done just so with a concise beauty that is rare. Read this "little" book. Your heart will be touched, and your hope and love will grow from the experience.