“This powerful new memoir is at once a tribute to a beloved mother who died at the height of a global crisis and a clarion call for all of us to look with fresh eyes upon how we take care of one another. Especially our elderly. Surrounded by her devoted family and a barrage of chaotic regulations, Hill dares to take us right into the heart of those terrifying pandemic days as she lays bare the loss and lessons we must all face if we are to do better. Written in vivid prose and with heartbreaking honesty, Grief and Grit(s) is a testament to love and healing, a cri de coeur for our times.”
Description
Marsha Gray Hill's Grief and Grit(s) is an emotional odyssey that illuminates the complexities of grief, while offering a beacon of hope and inspiration for those navigating their own journeys of loss. This extraordinary memoir serves as a testament to the resilience of the human spirit and the power of love to transcend even the darkest of times.
In times of unprecedented panic, we see what we’re really made of.
Though the worldwide pandemic affected each of us differently, this time of turmoil brought one thing into stark clarity: the value of human life. When tragedy begets triaging and certain demographics are seen as more disposable than others, what does that say about our society? And what does it say about us?
This is a story about America, about how we view the most vulnerable people in our society—our aging and elderly—both in times of crisis and in our everyday lives.
This is also a story about a mother and daughter, of a mother raising her daughter in love, faith, and confidence, then the bizarre role-reversal as that mother deteriorated to the helplessness of a child. Nothing can prepare you for that intensity of sorrow and joy.
Nothing can prepare you for what happens when the coroner refuses to show up and pronounce your mother legally dead, either.
In this stunning debut, author Marsha Hill invites you into a personal look at an uncomfortable truth: how we treat our elderly today defines our own future. Full of tragedy and triumph, laughter and tears, grief and—yes, some good, old-fashioned grits—Grief and Grit(s) is not only a reflection of the life and tragic death of Adaline Gray, but the power of our generation to fight for human dignity at every stage of life.
Reviews
“Grab a cup of coffee, sit in a comfortable chair, and let Marsha Gray Hill tell you her story as if she is seated across from you, talking only to you. You will laugh, you will cry, you will get angry, you will be right there in some of the most intimate moments in the life of the most-godliest person I have ever known. Adaline Gray’s legacy will live on through every person her life touched. If you met her, you were never the same. Listen closely as Marsha shares with you the final years, and especially weeks and days, of Adaline’s life. I hope it makes you angry, angry enough to do something, even if it’s just in your family.”
“Grief and Grit(s) offers an intimate portrayal of the journey through Alzheimer's and its profound impact on families. In the challenging context of the COVID pandemic, Marsha Hill's poignant narrative shines a light on the unwavering dedication of caregivers, especially the one who remained steadfast by her loved one's side. A must-read for anyone caring for a family member with Alzheimer’s.”
“Grief and Grit(s) is an intimate account of a daughter’s journey through love and loss during the COVID-19 pandemic. Marsha Hill’s heartfelt memoir explores family, aging, and caregiving, offering essential insights for those facing similar challenges. Grief and Grit(s) is a powerful reflection of the power of love, the beauty of life, and a hopeful outlook on the future.”