April 18, 2009

Don't Let Me Go

Written by Lisa

Maybe it’s the subtitle, “What My Daughter Taught Me About the Journey Every Parent Must Make,” but I kind of thought David W. Pierce’s book Don't Let Me Go was a parenting book, sort of an extended metaphor of mountain climbing and the difficulties of being a dad. I mean, I knew by virtue of the back cover that it was about “an ice axe, well-worn running shoes, and two hearts woven together forever” yet I was still surprised to find not worn out clichés of the mountainous challenges we as parents face but instead a heartwarming and sometimes hilarious tale of a dad trying to keep up with a daughter bent on growing up at breakneck speed.

Pierce is a true storyteller and this his memoir of “True Adventures of Climbing Mountains, Running Marathons, and Becoming a Dad” is an honest look at himself as both a dad and a son, his relationship with daughter Chera prompting recollections of his own growing up years. Pierce writes with a great deal of wit and humble self deprecation. Sometimes I laughed out loud at his foibles and other times felt my heart pierced by his honest vulnerability.

There is a great deal of wisdom in Pierce’s story and yes, it is in fact drawn from the mountain metaphor. Consider:

And just what did we learn from all this mountain climbing stuff? We learned about perspective…we learned where to live life. Chera taught me that it’s not always about making it to the summit—it’s about going. The summit is small, usually, and you’re only there for a moment. But the journey… We visit the summits, but we live in the valleys. That’s where we train. That’s where we prepare. That’s where we grow strong.

The bond between father and daughter, parent and child, is at once profound and beautiful. In Don't Let Me Go Pierce writes with genuine emotion and deep affection for his daughter. It is not merely an account of mountains and backpacks—though it is certainly that, and fascinating. Nor is it, as I surmised, a book of parenting techniques and methods. It is rather a beautiful and heartfelt celebration of the wonder (and heartache) of raising a child in order to, finally, let her go.

Wife and mother, Bible teacher and blogger, Lisa loves Jesus, coffee, dark chocolate and, of course, books. Read more of her reflections at Lisa writes….

To enter the 2009 Mothers Day Giveaway of Don't Let Me Go, leave a comment below.

All Mother's Day Giveaways are open to U.S. shipping addresses only.
The giveaway will close on April 30, and the winner will be announced on May 1.
For information on how to enter the grand prize to win a copy of each book in the Mother's Day Giveaway worth over $225, see the instructions on the main post.
Check out the list of all Mother's Day giveaways. Enter to win each book by leaving a comment on that post.

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97 Comments

Comments on Don't Let Me Go

April 18, 2009

Michael Capp @ 8:43 am

I'd love to win!

Kathy D @ 8:45 am

sounds like a great book…..

MRS.MOMMYY @ 9:30 am

sounds great

Nanci K @ 9:48 am

I need a book to read right now!

susan varney @ 10:05 am

love to have it mverno@roadrunner.com

Sarah @ 10:12 am

Sign me up!

corrie clemens @ 10:37 am

i love to read.

Mary @ 10:56 am

Please include me, this sounds like an encouraging read. Thanks!

Jen Nutzhorn @ 11:45 am

I am very interested in reading this book- your review grabbed my attention!
Thanks for the giveaway,too!

Rebecca @ 12:12 pm

Sounds like a beautiful story!

Patti Hess @ 1:11 pm

I have been having trouble of letting go of my kids (even if they are step children) this seems like an awesome book for me

Rita @ 1:34 pm

Sounds like a wonderful gift for Father's Day.

Nancy @ 3:10 pm

Since my daughter is graduating from college next year, this book sounds like a perfect read to me! Thanks!

edj @ 5:24 pm

Sounds good. Please enter me to win.

Susan @ 9:00 pm

Great review!

Zoe Lee @ 9:15 pm

I would love to read this, thanks for the contest.

Carey @ 9:19 pm

I've been interested in reading this one.

Ginny @ 10:12 pm

I'd like to be entered

April 19, 2009

Elizabeth @ 1:09 am

Looks like a great read!

Adrian Lamont @ 1:35 am

Sounds like a great read, please count me in.

Catherine @ 1:50 am

Thanx for the contest

Djp @ 11:22 am

sign me up

Just Mom @ 12:51 pm

Please enter me in the giveaway and thanks for hosting!

nfmgirl @ 1:15 pm

Sounds wonderful. Thank you!

Sharon Walling @ 3:44 pm

Sounds like a good read. Please enter me.

sharon54220@gmail.com

Amy @ Hope Is the Word @ 4:32 pm

This one sounds great! I'd love a copy!

valerie Mitchell @ 5:43 pm

please enter me

Angie @ 5:49 pm

sounds like a good book!

beth shepherd @ 6:08 pm

Thank you for a great giveaway. THank you
tatertot374@sbcglobal.net

Beverlydru @ 6:16 pm

We are new empty nesters… our youngest daughter is off at college this year. This book has already pulled my heartsrings… just reading your review.

Angela J @ 6:49 pm

I'd like to read this.

Tina S. @ 9:26 pm

I'd love a copy of this book:)

April 20, 2009

Carol Lawrence @ 7:05 am

Enter me in the book giveaway.

cris @ 10:36 am

I think my neighbor would love this (and she is looking for new books right now) – thanks for the giveaway

Barbara @ 4:54 pm

This one sounds fun.

Megret @ 9:06 pm

Sounds heartwarming & wonderful…thanks!
Megret

Angie Gulley @ 10:59 pm

please enter me. thank you!

April 21, 2009

renee @ 12:43 am

sounds like a tear-jerker

Annmarie @ 6:51 am

This would actually be the perfect Fathers Day gift for my husband, who is on his own life journey with my daughter as she enters the "tween" years.

Christina @ 7:14 am

The relationship between mother and daughter is very strong, and even though I've read that the job of teenagers is to push their parents off the edge of the planet, I think at the back of every daughter's mind she wants her mother to keep her, to keep on being a mother to her forever!

stampedwithgrace @ 7:54 am

sounds like a great read

Anita Yancey @ 9:49 am

Sounds like a book, I would love to read. Please enter me.

Carrie C @ 12:33 pm

Sounds like a great book…I would love to win it!

Kristi @ 12:48 pm

I'd be interested in this one!

Thanks!

Susan C @ 1:08 pm

I would love to win this for my step-father for Father's Day!
smchester at gmail dot com

Sherry @ 6:59 pm

Sounds great, thanks for the review and chance to win.

Kim V @ 7:30 pm

sounds great! Thanks for the giveaway!
kimspam66(at)yahoo(dot)com

Melissa in Mel's World @ 7:39 pm

Sounds like an awesome book…count me in!

Heather Goldsmith @ 10:16 pm

Thanks for the opportunity to expand my library. Enter me, please.

Rosey @ 11:03 pm

Your review of it has me totally interested.

April 22, 2009

Serena @ 5:02 am

Sounds like a good book…maybe one I could convince my husband to read, since we have two girls!

Michele @ 12:04 pm

Wow! This sounds like a great story – one that could possibly leave me in tears (I already feel like my own daughter is growing up so fast!) Your review has hooked me.