Letters to Gabriel

by Karen Santorum and Karen Garver Santorum

Book Overview

This moving collection of intimate, poignant, and heart-warming letters was written by Karen Santorum to her unborn child, Gabriel Michael. During her pregnancy, Karen wrote letters to her son, never... This description may be from another edition of this product.

• Format: Hardcover
• Language: English
• ISBN: 1568145284
• ISBN13: 9781568145280
• Release Date: January 1998
• Publisher: CCC of America
• Length: 132 Pages
• Weight: 0.72 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.6" x 5.7" x 8.8"

Customer Reviews

my healing book

I have had this book for years; my mother gave it to me when I began having children, so I could understand the depth of a mother's love for her child. I cried when I first read it, and this past week, when I lost a baby myself, I cried more.I cannot recommend this book highly enough to other grieving mothers out there. Karen's honesty about her struggles allowed me to see my pain in someone else's tragedy, and somehow, that helped so much--to know I was not alone in my anguish, that I was not crazy, and that, perhaps, someday, there is hope.I simply do not understand the horrible, negative diatribes among the reviews posted here. I cannot believe people would let their politics lead them to berate and mock a family that endured such a loss. Such people are the very people who make me afraid to leave my house, afraid to pick up the phone, because there are those kind of people out there who will not understand how much it hurts to lose a baby at any stage of a pregnancy.Please, if you have lost a child, read this book and allow Karen's courage and wisdom to help you endure your sorrow. Do not listen to heartless, callous, cruel bystanders--after all, does it make sense to listen to someone who has suffered the loss of a child or someone who doesn't think unborn or newly born babies count for very much?I am certain that in the weeks ahead, as I try to accept the fact that I will never see my Michael Jude grow up, I will return to her book again and again. Blessings, Karen and family.

A new perspective on life

I thoroughly enjoyed Karen Santorum's book. They way she incorporated her personal tragedy and her strong faith was compelling. I cried through out this book but it made me think about the fragility of life. This book made me appreciate life more. I finished it late one evening and immediately went in and gave my three healthy kids hugs. I applaud Karen for sharing her very heart-breaking story with us.

A Short Life Leaves a Powerful Legacy

In Letters to Gabriel, Senator Rick Santorum's Wife tells the heartbreaking but ultimately uplifting story of their son's tragically brief life. A severe prenatal development led to his very early delivery, and although his time on earth lasted a mere two hours, his existence added something to the world. In that short lifetime, he experienced decades of love from devoted parents-grateful for the miracle that he was born alive and that they had two hours to love him. Anyone who is a parent, godparent, uncle, aunt, or loves a child will be greatly moved by this simultaneously despairing and joyous story. Your heart will break for Karen Santorum and her family, but you'll also feel a strong admiration for her. The Santorums will never fully recover from Gabrial's death but they are obviously better parents-in fact better people-for having known him.Letters to Gabriel is the legacy of a baby whose abbreviated life impacted more people than many of us will touch in fifty years. Like most roller-coaster rides, it is rather short-less than 175 pages, but your emotions careen through the pages for a very memorable journey. In addition to Karen's moving letters, the book benefits from Dr. Laura Schlessinger's sapient introduction and a very poignant introduction by Mother Teresa written three months before her death.

Before I Formed You In the Womb I Knew You

Karen Garver Santorum knew her child Gabriel, who was formed in her womb, before he was born for others to see. An experiential, very moving description of the tenacious way which the author loved her chilld before he was born. Though I lack the capacity to bear a child (i.e., maleness), the vicarious experience through Ms. Santorum was stunning. Whatever one might feel about the rights of an unborn child, what is undeniable is the real and true human relationship between the author and her son. A thrilling and moving experience to read!