Send My Roots Rain: A Companion on the Grief Journey

Kim Langley has expertly curated a collection of poems to soothe the soul, to foster connection, and to ground one’s self in the deeper meaning within the inevitable broken and wounded pieces of life. All throughout this book I found resonance, newness of perspective, and familiar old wisdom inviting me to reflect and slow down with my own experiences as well as those of my loved ones. If you are a lover of poetry, this book is for you. If you are unfamiliar with or intimidated by poetry, this book is for you. Not only has Ms. Langley gathered a treasury of poems on grief and loss, she offers her own reflection, poses questions to guide your further contemplation, and brings it home with an extra and apt quotation for each and every poem. These additional pieces really do make it feel like the book is a companion and guided meditation on grief and life- not just a compilation of poetry on loss.As a chaplain and spiritual director myself, this book will soon become a go-to tool in my ministry toolkit. Especially if you’ve ever wanted to know how to use poetry in your ministry, counseling, or therapeutic setting of any kind but weren’t quite sure how to do so, this book is for you. Ms. Langley also includes a variety of mindful activities to use with the poems.I honestly can’t recommend this book enough. Whether you or some you love or work with is grieving- which if we’re honest includes everyone!- this book is worth every penny.

This beautiful collection of poems and quotations and “reflections” From Kim Langley is like a gentle, soothing balm for the heart at all stages of facing grief. Put together with the wisdom of a love divine, this book never leaves me where it finds me. It has given me the words to pull in besides others as they grieve, has given me material for officiating Celebrations of Life and Memorials, has comforted me when in anger, sorrow or despair. It is a gift from someone who has seen her way through grief and come out the other side courageous enough to go back in to offer crumbs of comfort to others to sustain them as they walk that path too. One of the books that sits where I can reach for it easily. Can’t recommend highly enough.

My work is as a bereavement counselor, oncology social worker and therapeutic writing teacher. I found Kim's book packed with beautiful and accessible poetry that even those who think they don't like poetry would love. I have used this book both for myself in grief and with clients in my bereavement, support, and end of life groups as well as in my private practice. The reflections are poignant and the prompts go right to the heart of the matter. This book is wonderful alongside Phyllis Cole Dai's book Poetry of Presence which is a wonderful collection of poems that are accessible and speak deeply to the heart.

Speaking wisdom, compassion, solace, beauty, hope; nourishing the soul longing for companionship on the journey of grief, of life, 'Send MY Roots Rain' invites us to breathe deeply into a new place. The exquisite choice of poems, and wise reflections draws one in to the universal company of grievers spanning all ages and circumstance.As a therapist, as a friend, I have shared this resource by recommendation or gift. The response is consistent:."Send My Roots Rain made me feel comforted, known, understood, less alone..... I am eager to share this treasure with others on the grief walk."Ellen Hook Pietz LISW, Therapist

Kim’s book has been a surprising treasure to me. Im grateful for the recommendation from a friend to pick it up. As a chaplain in training, I work with patients and families walking with grief. I’m also aware of my own deep grief that has long lived “under my porch.” I wasn’t aware how unapproachable other books on grief were until reading Kim’s book. There is no prescription, little presumption, and a lot of room for movement within the words found within its pages. This book is for anyone and everyone - not just those dealing with the grief of losing a loved one. In Kim’s book, there is an acknowledgment that grief wears many masks and shows up in surprising ways. Grab a highlighter, a pen and a journal as you’ll find yourself either wanting to copy quotes or dive in with self reflection as you read.

My grandfather's death is my earliest memory. Years later playing with the doll bed that he made me, I asked my mom: "How old was I when Grandpa Thuresson died?" She said, "Three." While I don't remember my Grandpa Thuresson, I do remember death. The sunlight streams through the venetian blinds laying black stripes across my mom and dad. My mom is sobbing. I have never seen her cry before. My dad is holding her, wordless, looking helpless. Invisible to them, I creep back to my bedroom and pull the covers over my head to not lose myself. Send My Roots Rain . . . A Companion on the Grief Journey by Kim Langley will not only give you writing and words to see you through loss but will comfort you with many tugs and hugs of recognition to ease your sorrow. I recommend this book.

Years ago in a time of grief, someone dear to me brought a basket filled with things she hoped might help. It included flowers from her garden, homemade muffins, and tea. I didn’t believe I’d ever want to feel better. But I was soothed by the memory of her hands holding it out at my doorstep. The round bowl of that sturdy basket, which I kept in my kitchen for a long time, seemed to gather and hold something in me.Kim Langley’s extraordinary book, "Send My Roots Rain," is the most generous basket imaginable. It is woven together with poems chosen to resonate with and hold a grieving reader. It is filled with personal stories, quotes, mindful activities, reflections, and Kim’s gentle wisdom. There are no “shoulds” here, only offerings held out by truly caring hands.