By Sandy Richards – First Edition September 2013 – Second Edition January 2021
Reeling from initiation into a club for which no one seeks to belong...forced into a membership that lasts a hundred lifetimes...a club that is reserved for parents thrust into surviving the death of a child...paying dues with the extreme price tag of a shattered heart; A Far Cry...From Home enlists the insight of an "angel" as he portrays the true story of his mother’s journey through love, loss and healing. The journey of a love so strong that nothing will stand in her way to keep the deathbed promise she made to her sixteen year old son. The journey of a loss that changed lives forever. The journey of healing that is exhausting and painful, yet cleansing and full of hope.
When you order directly from Sandy, you get a personally autographed book. If you prefer, you have the option to order from Amazon.
Shortly after our son’s death, friends began a scholarship fund in Tyler’s memory. The fund is part of Legacy Scholarship Funds, Inc. in Walled Lake, Michigan. The fund is supported by family, friends, teammates, teachers, coaches and all who loved him.
The mission of the scholarship fund is to provide scholarship assistance to graduating seniors from Walled Lake Northern High School who best exemplify the qualities that Tyler exhibited: a kind and gentle soul, a true friend, and a lover of life with boundless energy and an ever present smile.
One dollar per book sale from A Far Cry...From Home will be donated to the Tyler Richards Memorial Scholarship Fund.
While reading this book, I had to keep reminding myself that the author had written it, not her "angel". I felt that he was right there personally telling me his story. This book is full of raw emotional breakdowns and true honesty while covering many scenarios and giving back to the reader. It truly is for everyone and a must read!Robyn Freeburg
A Far Cry...From Home is a story of heartbreak and resilience. In this narrative, a devastated and grief-stricken mother’s deceased son intimately shares and normalizes the intense grief responses and the signs of love she experiences in the years following his death. Emotional, yet refreshingly hopeful, this story succeeds in its quest to communicate to others who are also grieving the loss of a child, that they are not alone. Through her son’s voice, the author demonstrates that despite the pain, moving from victim to survivor during any healing journey happens when you remain present and allow yourself to feel not only the sorrow but also the joy that can be found in moment-to-moment interactions with others and the world around us.Dr. Caelan Kuban
Thank you for compiling this book to help others. Everyone always wants to know what they can do to help us as moms — this is a great way to communicate!Brenda D.
Movingly captures the effect one well-loved teenager had on his community. Read full review.Kirkus Reviews
What a beautifully written story! I especially liked the way it was told through the eyes of her "angel". Having recently experienced the loss of a parent, I am always looking for messages of hope and healing. I laughed, I cried, but most of all I admired this mother’s ability to share her most personal emotions. Her strength is sure to help others who are traveling down a similar road.M.E. Smith
Started reading your book the minute I got home. Taking my time and savoring each word. If ever I thought a book explains exactly what I have been going through this past year, it’s this one.Terry K.