“A moving debut memoir . . . Jensen is a gifted storyteller whose writing style is confident and wise.”—Kirkus Reviews
“Pensive, heartbreaking memoir of losing a son in a tragic accident… Imbued with an enduring love that renders this tragic tale paradoxically hopeful.”—BookLife Reviews
“Insights that hold important lessons on adaptation and survival… embrace the processes of family, life, and the dynamics of returning, albeit much changed, to a different reality.”—Midwest Book Review
Description
A woman’s inspirational memoir of the tragic death of her young child and her own courageous journey of transformation, this unforgettable story will resonate deeply with anyone who has experienced loss, with honest insights on working through grief, resilience, and reclaiming joy in life.
Without warning, disaster strikes. How does a grief-stricken young mother rebuild her life and rediscover joy?
On a family vacation in Austria, Janice Jensen’s children played near a sleepy stream. Suddenly the water rose catastrophically. Miles upstream, a power company had released a raging torrent that rushed down and swept away her young son as she watched helplessly.
Heartbroken, Janice gave all her love and support to her surviving daughter and devastated husband as the three struggled to rebuild their lives together.
This life-affirming memoir follows Janice’s decades-long journey from deepest anguish to helping others and discovering more of the world as she teaches, dances, and lives abroad in Colombia, Syria, and Saudi Arabia.
In a plainspoken, warm, and honest voice, Janice shares how she survives waves of pain and finds gifts of love. Over time, she confronts her fear of water and builds a life that fully embraces joy. And ultimately, her passion for ballroom dance leads her to reconnect with her son’s spirit.
Reviews
“One Ripple at a Time chronicles Jensen’s journey, first through unthinkable grief, then through helping others find peace after losing loved ones, and bringing joy into her own life and others’… once you start reading it, it’s next-to-impossible to put down.”—Ron Hartman, The Chronicle
“Despite heartbreak, Jensen goes on to live a fascinating life filled with connection and love. Her story is one of anguish and loneliness. It is also one of unbelievable resilience and joy.”—Jody Rolnick, publisher
“This story might break your heart, but it will fill it again. Rich in detail, deep in meaning, with an intimate and embracing voice.”—Sandra Scofield, author of Mysteries of Love and Grief