Review of My Living Will
Posted: 01 Jan 2022, 12:16
[Following is a volunteer review of "My Living Will" by John Trautwein.]
"Our kids are struggling, and we have no idea". My Living Will by John Trautwein dives into the rarely-discussed stigma regarding suicide and mental health issues in young America. It is a raw, authentic, and remarkably moving, real-life story about a father's journey from the depths of seemingly insurmountable loss to inspiration, newfound purpose, and hope. Author John Trautwein, a college graduate who had become the president of a booming company, saw his lifelong dreams to play Major League Baseball, find the love of his life, and start a family all come true. By all accounts, Trautwein was a successful and happy man. When his son, Will Trautwein, tragically and completely unexpectedly took his own life, he joined "the saddest club in the world": he was now a parent whose life had been turned upside down because his child had killed himself. However, the support of family, friends, and strangers alike, coupled with a fierce desire to honor his son's legacy manifested itself into a new, more important dream. This new mission was one in which John Trautwein would create a foundation called Will to Live to provide kids with hope in a world so often filled with negativity. The Will to Live Foundation raises awareness, supports professional suicide education, and offers scholarships to exemplary teens. It is the embodiment of a man who doesn't let his circumstances define him and carries his son's light in order to make the world a brighter place for us all.
Aside from the tremendous story itself, My Living Will also displays other positive aspects. For one, Trautwein includes details that are so vivid (and harrowing) that the reader is absorbed into the book like he or she is there in the flesh. He also makes sure to include happy moments and humorous recollections to remind the reader joy can be found in even the saddest of experiences. The book is full of memorable quotes, lessons, and takeaways. Additionally, the vulnerability Trautwein shows (by talking about how often he cries for example) is extremely powerful, especially as a male reader in a society where masculine emotion has been suppressed for so long. Another positive aspect is the pictures of his family featured halfway through: visual context makes the story so much more real. Trautwein also includes testimony from suicidal teens who have recovered and a foreword by New York Yankees manager Joe Girardi to depict the widespread reach awareness can have. He also provides resources to help for anyone who may be feeling or may know someone who is feeling suicidal.
Although slightly repetitive in nature at times, My Living Will's negligible flaws do not in any way shape or form take away from the book.
My Living Will is a beautiful testament to the fortitude of the human spirit, love's unwavering resolve, and a telling reminder that tragedy does not have to have the final word in our lives. I give it a rating of 4 out of 4 stars because of the way it teaches and inspires all while being exquisitely written, professionally edited, and captivating from start to finish.
I recommend it to anyone: it's depth and impact transcend any particular audience. However, it could be especially beneficial to parents who have teenagers or to people who have lost loved ones to suicide.
******
My Living Will
View: on Bookshelves | on Amazon
"Our kids are struggling, and we have no idea". My Living Will by John Trautwein dives into the rarely-discussed stigma regarding suicide and mental health issues in young America. It is a raw, authentic, and remarkably moving, real-life story about a father's journey from the depths of seemingly insurmountable loss to inspiration, newfound purpose, and hope. Author John Trautwein, a college graduate who had become the president of a booming company, saw his lifelong dreams to play Major League Baseball, find the love of his life, and start a family all come true. By all accounts, Trautwein was a successful and happy man. When his son, Will Trautwein, tragically and completely unexpectedly took his own life, he joined "the saddest club in the world": he was now a parent whose life had been turned upside down because his child had killed himself. However, the support of family, friends, and strangers alike, coupled with a fierce desire to honor his son's legacy manifested itself into a new, more important dream. This new mission was one in which John Trautwein would create a foundation called Will to Live to provide kids with hope in a world so often filled with negativity. The Will to Live Foundation raises awareness, supports professional suicide education, and offers scholarships to exemplary teens. It is the embodiment of a man who doesn't let his circumstances define him and carries his son's light in order to make the world a brighter place for us all.
Aside from the tremendous story itself, My Living Will also displays other positive aspects. For one, Trautwein includes details that are so vivid (and harrowing) that the reader is absorbed into the book like he or she is there in the flesh. He also makes sure to include happy moments and humorous recollections to remind the reader joy can be found in even the saddest of experiences. The book is full of memorable quotes, lessons, and takeaways. Additionally, the vulnerability Trautwein shows (by talking about how often he cries for example) is extremely powerful, especially as a male reader in a society where masculine emotion has been suppressed for so long. Another positive aspect is the pictures of his family featured halfway through: visual context makes the story so much more real. Trautwein also includes testimony from suicidal teens who have recovered and a foreword by New York Yankees manager Joe Girardi to depict the widespread reach awareness can have. He also provides resources to help for anyone who may be feeling or may know someone who is feeling suicidal.
Although slightly repetitive in nature at times, My Living Will's negligible flaws do not in any way shape or form take away from the book.
My Living Will is a beautiful testament to the fortitude of the human spirit, love's unwavering resolve, and a telling reminder that tragedy does not have to have the final word in our lives. I give it a rating of 4 out of 4 stars because of the way it teaches and inspires all while being exquisitely written, professionally edited, and captivating from start to finish.
I recommend it to anyone: it's depth and impact transcend any particular audience. However, it could be especially beneficial to parents who have teenagers or to people who have lost loved ones to suicide.
******
My Living Will
View: on Bookshelves | on Amazon