Memoir

Who Am I Now? Reflections on Spirituality and Grief

In Who Am I Now? Reflections on Spirituality and Grief, psychotherapist and religious studies scholar Kelley Raab offers a deep appreciation of the importance of grieving our losses. The death of her mother propelled her on a spiritual search for purpose and identity. Along the way she discovered previous, unmourned losses that interfered with her ability to experience joy and hope. Inspired by her seamstress grandmother, Kelley uses a quilting metaphor to sort out the layers of her grief. In Part One, “ The Pieces,” she looks at maternal grief and the spiritual questions that arose when her mother died. In Part Two, “The Background (Backing),” she explores deeply rooted fears regarding belonging, a childhood trauma, and a possible way forward. In Part Three, “The Quilting,” she draws upon Buddhist Tonglen, the arts, and feminist theology to stitch threads of meaning into her life post-loss. Kelley sews a bit herself, a legacy inherited from both sides of the family. The book’s blend of research, memoir, art, and poetry weaves a skillful tapestry, offering key insights into the psychology and spirituality of grieving.

Endorsements

“Like a master quilter, Raab weaves the power of storytelling with the teachings and wisdom within the field of grief psychology and spirituality. Through her own story, we learn how past losses inform how we navigate present-day loss. Raab openly displays how the death of her mother catapults her into a life reckoning: a reckoning about where she’s been, the role of spirituality, career decisions, and how she wants to live her life. This is a highly accessible and engaging read for any griever, but especially helpful for those feeling untethered by the loss of a mother.”
– Julie Brown, RP, Registered Psychotherapist
Co-host of What now? On the Threshold of Life, Death and Grief podcast

 

“Kelley Raab’s story of family loss came to me just as my own mother died. This book—beautifully written and deeply felt—helped me cope. A great strength lies in its multiple voices. Dr. Raab gives us spiritual reflection, life narrative, academic analysis, original poetry and stories—even a fugue! The creativity of the memoir dazzles! By exploring the link between grieving and self-knowledge, the author forges pathways to healing and models the power of art to craft legacy from loss. The book left me richer.”
– Catherine M. Roach, Distinguished Research Professor
The University of Alabama