Publisher's Synopsis
Suddenly Without Warning, the book title, comes from a traditional Buddhist daily contemplation of the truth of impermanence. Miriam Tarcov's first child, Joshua, at the age of 18 died unexpectedly in a car accident.
This book describes grief's shock and intimate journey for Miriam and her younger daughter Tara. Miriam was a longtime student of the Tibetan Buddhist meditation master the Venerable Chögyam Trungpa Rinpoche. Her contemplative training is interwoven with her personal journey of devastating loss and reintegration. Her story, spanning over thirty years, is written in a simple and accessible way that can be of benefit to anyone who has experienced a searing loss.
Foreword by the distinguished Buddhist teacher and author Judith L. Lief.As a senior student and teacher, Miriam has taught meditation practice throughout the United States. She worked and volunteered in the not-for-profit sectors, including the Art Gallery of Nova Scotia, Mt. St. Vincent University, Halifax Family Service, Boulder Center for the Visual Arts and Habitat for Humanity. Miriam has offered comfort to bereaved parents, spouses and surviving siblings. Her books include Mandala and The Feminine: Spacious As The Sky by Miriam and José Argüelles. Her art can be seen on her website miriamtarcovart.com.
EDITORIAL REVIEWS
Heartfelt, honest, at turns searing and humorous, Miriam's memoir brings the reality of impermanence along with deep comfort to anyone facing loss, especially of a child or loved one. As a mother, bearing witness to Miriam's composure, grace and grit at the sudden death of her son touched me deeply. Leading by example, she shares potent teachings to help us navigate traumatic, untimely loss. We learn with her that how we handle the death of those we love is an indicator of how we'll ultimately handle our own death. Thank you, Miriam, for this magnificent food for thought and care.
- Elena Brower, bestselling author of
Practice You, Softening Time, Being You, and Art of Attention.
The death of one's child is every parent's greatest fear. My life-long friend Miriam Tarcov's journey through the loss of her son and the grief that ensued is a universal story. But due to her Buddhist training, what she is able to convey as her way through her grief can be of benefit to anyone who has experienced great trauma directly as well as the friends and relatives of those that are suffering.
- Samuel Bercholz, author of A Guided Tour of Hell and co-editor of The Buddha and His Teachings.
The devastating loss of a beloved child will take you places inside yourself you never thought you'd go. Suddenly Without Warning is a sensitive, insightful, penetrating mother's story of a son's tragic death. From a life full of meaning, the author is plunged into shock, despair and agonizing grief. Miriam Tarcov writes an intimate and compassionate journey of her shattered heart's struggle to breathe again. I recommend her book. It will light the way for those struggling with loss of a child.
- Judy Ford, LCSW, Counselor in private practice specializing in love, loss and renewal. Best selling author of Wonderful Ways to Love A Child and Wonderful Ways to Love a Teen.