Laura Formentini

Twentyone Olive Trees: A Mother's Walk through the Grief of Suicide to Hope and Healing, is the author's personal journey of transformation following her son Blaise's suicide. The book traces her path from grief to understanding and healing, shown through a collection of twenty-one fables and poems she wrote to Blaise in the year after his untimely death. This book explores Laura's message that it is in in your power to overcome personal difficulties no matter what, by creating something beautiful in the wake of whatever has befallen you- death, divorce, disease, destruction from natural and man-made disasters, or other upheavals. The terrible times you suffer are not the end of life but can become a new beginning. It is Laura's hope that these stories will act as a balm for those going through their grief and dark moments, encourage them to embrace their new beginnings, as well as inspire empaths and highly sensitive people to bring about the changes that our society is so strongly in need of. Book jacket.

A Mother's Walk Through the Grief of Suicide to Hope and Healing

Twentyone Olive Trees

Jenna Pascale 

To anyone that has suffered loss and deals with the grief daily, consider this book with an open mind. It may make you feel uncomfortable and sad, but also happy and bittersweet. Stepping out of your comfort zone is important, especially for healing. 

Formentini wrote this book as a collection of of fables, poetry, and letters written to her son that she lost to suicide in 2019. The combination of different writing styles was refreshing and gives the reader a different perspective for each section of the book. The book itself is made up of 21 letters and poems the author wrote to her son during the year following his death - a first account of the grieving process. Each section has a fable that tells a story that touches on human connection. 

I don’t want to give too much information because reading the development throughout the grieving process of the author was a beautiful thing and should be done with fresh eyes and little information. Formentini offers parts of herself most people wouldn’t and really helps you see death, loss, and grief in a unique way. This book provides ample amounts of comfort and reflection to anyone who has suffered a loss. 

An extremely insightful, refreshing, and worthwhile read. Highly recommend to anyone who struggles with any loss as something that must be read at least once.

Twentyone Olive Trees A Mother's Walk Through the Grief of Suicide to Hope and Healing

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