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Cover of Painful Passage, Joyful Journey

Painful Passage, Joyful Journey

A Memoir, the Story of God and Me

  • History & Biography
  • Counseling, Grief & Mental Health
  • Publisher: Resource Publications (Wipf and Stock)
  • Published: 2024

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Publisher's Description

Painful Passage, Joyful Journey is the narrative of my personal experiences as viewed through multiple lens: the six-year-old child so violently wretched from a loving family by the murder/suicide of her parents, the little girl who lost her big brother as they were physically and emotionally separated for life, the decade of abuse in the house of a relative, the wounded adult confronting the past in order to have a future, the healed survivor reexamining six-plus decades of lies and betrayals, and in the midst of it all, the constant presence of a loving God.


Endorsements (3)

“I have known Susan Cooper for over forty-five years. Her life story, depicted with revealing detail in this book, of tragedy, trials, and triumph exemplifies her perseverance and an unwavering Christian faith we can all learn from and admire.”

Chris Grubbs

“Painful Passage, Joyful Journey is a riveting account of traumatic loss and its transformation into a life of generosity and service to others. An inspiring testament to the healing power of love and the tenacity of the human spirit.”

M. Sweedar Ward

“‘Scarred and Scared’—little compares to what the author went through growing up. ‘God did not abandon me.’ A teenager fighting for her future saw a messenger. ‘The chirp of a small bird perched on a limb . . . claimed my attention.’ This desperate young lady realized that ‘God had not only healed me, He had amazing plans.’ A must-read for all people, believers or not.”

Paul Olsen

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