Once More We Saw Stars: A Memoir

As a pediatric palliative care nurse practitioner, I have been an up-close witness to the anguish and grief described so truthfully in this beautifully written book. I have felt parents deep grief and longing in my own heart and can’t imagine how much more deep and painful that grief and longing is in their heart. Truly, NO ONE can know what and how the parents are feeling when their child dies—not even another grieving parent, as everyone’s experience of grief is different. I commend this book to anyone whose child has died, anyone who cares for children and parents at the time of a child’s death, anyone who loves someone whose child has died, and, really, anyone on this earth—-it will give you a better understanding of the deep, painful, and sometimes beautiful anguish and grief experienced by parents whose child has died. Our world needs more empathy for and understanding of grief. This book provides that.

Once More We Saw Stars is a wonderfully honest and intimate glimpse into the unthinkable journey Jayson and Stacy have made together over the last few years. Jayson's writing perfectly captures the vulnerability we invite into our lives when we fall in love with another human; this is a story about love, between partners, parents and children, as well as the love that emanates from our community of friends, relatives, and even strangers in times of need. The book is also a beautiful tribute to Greta. Her memory is dear to all who knew her personally; through this book, those of us who didn't get a chance to can smile at Jayson's descriptions of her adorable toddler ways, cry along with her loved ones, and join them in honoring her life and spirit.

As a bereaved mother I deeply appreciated the openness of the writer, the gentle respectfulness given his wife and mother in law. I'm grateful for every writer sharing their details of loss and overcoming. This is a gift of grace to all. When death visits once or many times taking our children, we crash and then seek hope. For other bereaved family members and those wanting to support, this is a treasure.

I was not sure that I could read this book as I lost my 41 year old daughter, Dixie, two years ago. The grief is still so raw because my daughter was my life, my best friend. However, I did read this book. For people who have lost a child it lets you know that you are not alone in your feelings of sadness and despair. It lets you know that others go through the What If's, the doubts of being able to go on and the raw, unrelenting pain knowing you will never see your child again and that your life has been changed forever. If you have not lost a child this book will make you hold on to your children a little tighter, give some extra hugs and kisses and be thankful each night when you tuck your child in that they are there in their warm bed, safe. I would have liked to have seen some pictures of Greta and the family members and friends who were so vividly described in the book as I feel that would enhance the readers connection even more. This is a must read for everyone who has ever loved another person more than life itself. It is a true gift of a book.

It was the page after jayson describes the song he modified for his daughter that I started sobbing. I had a song for my daughter, too. “Hallelujah”, the one that almost everybody has covered, the one with some verses that border on pornographic. I gave it to Annie while she was still in my stomach — and then, too soon, she wasn’t anymore. I felt so alone; not even my husband shed a tear. Was it because Annie was too little — that nobody besides me had had the opportunity to get to know her yet? After reading this book, I feel much better. I like Jayson’s assertion that he hadn’t gotten to know his daughter — after all, she was only two. I liked to read about them picking songs for their children; in addition to “Hallelujah”, I picked “You Are My Sunshine” for my rainbow baby. I’m glad that they got some closure in the visions they had at the retreat in New Mexico; I got some of that by having a conversation with my daughter — a conversation in which she absolved me of the guilt I was feeling over her death. I’m so sorry that Greta is no longer here. I wish I could know her. But somehow, I feel that the were doing the best we can — and that our two rainbows are going to set the sky on fire with their compassion.

I listened to the audiobook while reading the book and even though I understood his sadness, I didn’t like that he was very monotoned and almost robotic reading the entire book. Hardly no voice variety or emotion put into it even though there were many happy moments, like the birth of their son. I always appreciate when an author reads his own memoir but he could have used some coaching. I also found it unfortunate that they kept comparing Harry to Greta and not in a good way. I hope for his sake they didn’t keep taking jabs at him as he grew up. Harry fell down their apartment stairs at 9 months old. What parent doesn’t put a gate up? I hope the best for Harry .

Jayson Greene writes with rare and stunning clarity about the things we are afraid of most - the sudden absence of a child, the unfairness of the loss, having to reenter the world that has remained normal for most others. But his powerful, beautiful words make the fear not just bearable but secondary to other, more welcome feelings. His love for his daughter and for his wife, and then for his son, is everywhere, and moving as can be. I loved especially his accounts of the spiritual experiences that helped to move him forward, in spite of the skepticism ingrained in so many of us. I've thought about Once More We Saw Stars every day since I read it, and have felt more and more open to the world. I'm so sorry that Jayson had to write this remarkable book, but so very grateful that he did.

It’s been a long time since I started and finished a book in a day, but I couldn’t put it down, despite how painful the journey was. This was the story of greatest fear of any parent or grandparent & how people journeyed on to survive, never whole ever again but love and life persisted. Grief, loss, love and life were the themes.

A beautifully written and powerful memoir about grief and loss. I felt compelled to write a review because I was so moved by it - best book I’ve read in a while. Some of Jayson’s reflections on grief spoke so deeply to me, I felt he was inside my own mind. The only thing I’d say is if you’re going through or have gone through something similar this book may be difficult to read.

Un libro muy fuerte, recomendable

A very sad story but one that isn't without some redeeming features both for the protagonist and the reader. I read it as an expecting father and was moved to tears more than once.

Healing...I read this book less than two years after my son’s death. It was God’s perfect timing for me. I understood these words at a core level because I have felt these experiences in my own life. Very well written and so raw and vulnerable. I am grateful for this read.

surviving the unimagineable loss of a 2 year old daughter.... through a male's lense and journey... but language is for everyone....