Louise Bates

Letters to Matthew Louise Bates

'Letters to Matthew' invites you into the world of grief. It is not sugar coated or edited to make it an easy read, which is why it has been separated into two distinct parts.

Part one contains the heartfelt letters written by grieving mother Louise to her son Matthew after he died at the age of twenty-seven. The letters are a mixture of anguish, deep sorrow, humour, wisdom, personal insights and experiences that may resonate with others who have lost a special person.

Part two is about her journey of self-discovery and how Louise turned her grief and loss into something positive. This book is not about fixing people or forcing the healing process because, as the book explains, there is no cure for grief. Grief can only be absorbed, carried, experienced and cared for.

The loss of a child is unimaginable, but Louise has managed to turn this heart-breaking experience into something positive. By sharing her letters, insights, thoughts and feelings with the world she is not only keeping Matthew's memory alive but also giving hope to other people that life can meaningful again after the death of a loved one.

Grief is a sensitive subject which makes it challenging for writers to describe in a way that feels both real and honest. Louise has shown her vulnerability and documented her experience in a very brave and open-hearted way.

The book does have an uplifting ending!