A day that began with a morning rainbow was coming to an end. But another journey had already begun. It would lead me down a passageway to the belly of my soul, through meandering corridors illuminated by nothing but tearsa labyrinth of darkened chambered rooms where pieces of my shattered heart and soul now lay.
At age 4, author Jennifer J. Martin's son, Kelly, was diagnosed with a rare inherited metabolic disorder, mucopolysaccharidosis, or MPS, which caused multiple complications throughout his short life. He lived until the age of 23, when he died of a sudden heart attack.
Star Child: A Mother's Journey Through Grief is a deeply poignant look at Martin's bittersweet healing journey following her son's death. Written from the soul of a bereaved parent and for the spirits of other grieving parents, Star Child proclaims death as a harsh mistress and grief as the dark pain in a loved one's heart. Divided into three sections"Entering the Labyrinth of Grief," "Traversing the Darkness" and "Emerging from the Other Side" Martin shares her personal story through journal entries, poems and thoughts.
Martin's heartfelt expressions in Star Child celebrate Kelly's brief life and give grieving parents solace and support, allowing healing to finally begin.
Jennifer J. Martin has lead support groups for bereaved parents and speaks at local nonprofit groups on coping with the loss of a child and healing after loss. She is an artist and lives in San Antonio, Texas with her husband, John.
"This book is a must for anyone who has lost a child at any age. The author writes about the loss of her son and her journey of grief. Martin writes so beautifully and passionately that I could actually feel her pain. She expresses her deep loss and the realization that part of her is gone forever and all her hopes and dreams for her son will never come to fruition. Martin expresses how hard certain days are, such as her son's birthday, her birthday, Mother's Day and Christmas and how much anxiety builds as each day gets closer. You will truly be engaged as you feel the emotional despair she experienced during her journey. She expresses how we all react differently to grief, but we will all experience the different stages of grief. The book has touching stories along with fabulous quotes that can offer comfort when the grief seems overwhelming. The one page entries make it really easy to find a story that fits your exact moment of grief and offer comforting words to help make it through that difficult time. I highly recommend this book to anyone grieving the loss of a child."
- Jack Visser (San Antonio) March 27, 2007, Amazon review (5 stars)
"Jennifer's life floats on the strength of her spirit. Her feelings run true and deep. Her story of her only child, and his loss, awakens feelings in all of us, it has to. Please order this book, she will touch your heart as well."
- Fire Gems Studio (San Antonio, Texas) August 6, 2011, Amazon review (5 stars)
"As a bereaved mother myself, I've read my fair share of books on the topic and this is by far one of the most powerful. Martin is not just a grieving mother - but an old soul with an artist's vision - and her emotion-filled descriptions aren't just lines of flowery poetry. She is brave enough to hold the looking glass up to the whole of her experience...the parts people know about as well as the parts most people don't talk about. In addition to sharing her precious son with us, she also memorializes other children and gives us a peek into the grief journeys of so many. Since one of the greatest difficulties in facing a child's death is the overwhelming feeling of loneliness, this collection of stories serves well as a reminder that there are others who share this path. If you have experienced the death of a child, I suspect you will find warm comfort when you discover yourself in her courageous story-telling."
- J. Soos (Texas) January 13, 2008, Amazon review (5 stars)
"This is one of the most incredible books I have ever read. It is a must for any parent who has lost a child. The author catches the beauty of her child, along with the pain of his death and how to still honor his spirit. I have read many books on the death of a child, but found this one to be the most informative and descriptive. It was like the author took a mirror and reflected everything on my soul. As a berevead parent, I found this book honors all berevead children, and gives parents hope and strength. This is a book I will highly recommend and give to other parents who have lost a child or loved one."
- Joseph Migliozzi "Paige Migliozzi" (Centreville, VA USA)
October 15, 2007, Amazon review (5 stars)
"Poignant, powerful, moving, healing. These words describe Jennifer Martin's book "Star Child." Each page is a loving caress of the power of love for her son. Jennifer walks us through her grief to the other side. This book is truly a "must-read" for anyone who has lost a child or who knows someone who has. Thank you Jennifer for sharing your story and love for you son with the world."
- Patricia McGivern, October 4, 2010, Amazon review (5 stars)
Mother of miscarried baby
Author of "Angel Babies"
Tarpon Springs, Florida
"I stumbled across the opening chapter on Jennifer Martin's website. I knew I wanted the book in that moment. There is such a beautifully truthful voice that Ms. Martin shares. She describes her experiences by inviting the listener to experience it with her, and emerges healthy, whole and strong. I think it is a rare individual who can focus on the journey through grief without getting stuck in grief. Jennifer Martin manages to eloquently show how to move through. I love the stories and the humanity that is expressed."
- Jill Guntur (New York) April 9, 2010, Amazon review (5 stars)
"I read Star Child after losing my father to a nine-year battle with frontal lobe dementia. No family's experience of loss is ever the same as another's, but this book binds us together, and it is on this common ground that we find solace and begin to heal. If you know someone who has lost a loved one, give them this book. If you have lost a loved one, read the book. Jennifer's struggle and story of the 'way back' will comfort you. And even if you have't experienced loss recently, or even at all, consider reading Star Child. It will touch you so that you can be a better friend to someone who is hurting, when the need arises."
- Anonymous November 5, 2007, Barnes and Nobles review (5 stars)
"Star Child, A Mother's Journey Through Grief by Jennifer Martin is a beautifully crafted tribute to a young man's life and death, which lands in the heart gently, like a feather from an angel's wing."
- Maria Housden, author, Hannah's Gift: Lessons from a Life Fully Lived
"Jennifer Martin's son, Kelly, was a remarkable spirit of love and grace wrapped for twenty- three years in a body that was inexorably weakening. But her gifted account of his life an death brings insights that take the reader to new and perhaps untouched places of discovery and empathy. Star Child reveals a depth of sorrow and a victory of transcendence that make the grief of 'goodbye' reach into your heart and soul, both stirring pain and delivering peace. This is a stellar new entry into the world of hope and healing."
-Andrea Gambill, editor "Grief Digest magazine
"Jennifer is a transparent soul and her reflections heal us all."
- Karen Carpenter Calhoun, hospital chaplain
"Star Child is a beautifully told story. Jennifer Martin has managed to speak of her deep loss without sentimentality. Instead, she creates space for the universal elements of loss and grief to find expression. Through her words the tearing apart of one mother's heart moves toward a fierce resolve to find the deeper meanings in love and life. In grief, she writes, "something expands and contracts inside of you." It's a wise image. Then she submits her own pain to the expansion."
- Paula D'Arcy, Founder of "Red Bird Foundation"
Purchase Star Child: A Mother's Journey Through Grief by Jennifer J. Martin