Reaching for Beautiful

“The most enduring books write us and touch on the common human journey. Reaching for Beautiful is such a book. What Sally McQuillen endured in bringing a child into the world only to lose him decades later holds lessons for us all. Her brave and tender story will make any reader value life and our chance to be here more.”—Mark Nepo, author of You Don’t Have to Do It Alone and The Half-Life of Angels “This tender story of a mother navigating the loss of her extraordinary son is written with mercy and wisdom. Mercy toward herself as a loving mom who will always miss the physical presence of her beloved son. And wisdom as she shares the journey of spiritual awakening that her son’s spirit takes her on. These mysteries bring her to the truths we all seek about what is essential in life. Only love. What a wonderful book for anyone wondering if grief will have the last word.”—Sue Frederick, author of Bridges to Heaven: True Stories of Loved Ones on the other side “Powerful . . . honest . . . and inspiring, Reaching for Beautiful is a heartfelt journey through a mother’s grief experience, moving from darkness to light. It demonstrates the resilience of the human spirit, allowing for deep, authentic faith, purpose and meaning after unimaginable loss.” —Rebecca Rosen, spiritual medium and author of What’s Your Heaven?  “In Reaching for Beautiful, McQuillen shares her story with ineffable grace and insight, showing us how ‘over time the light outshines the darkness.’ Whatever hardship you are facing, reading this book will have you believing that her mission is beacon-possible.” —Laura Munson, founder of the Haven Writing Programs and New York Times and USA Today best-selling author of This Is Not The Story You Think It Is and Willa’s Grove “McQuillen is unafraid to share the roller coaster ride that is family addiction as she grapples with grief in Reaching for Beautiful. As a therapist who helps clients who have been impacted by addiction, her loss is particularly poignant.”—Sukey Forbes, best-selling author of The Angel in My Pocket “Reaching for Beautiful is not just for someone who has lost a child, or has loved a child, it's for anyone who has loved at all. McQuillen writes with the voice of a poet, lyrically, as well as straight to the heart. Her story is both a heartbreaking and a heart-opening must-read.” —Kristen Moeller, MS, literary agent and author of What Are You Waiting For? “Luminous and deeply affecting, McQuillen’s gift as a writer is to turn a deeply personal story into a blueprint for all of us navigating the line between loving our children and letting them go. With a storyteller’s gift and a therapist’s mind, she leaves the reader with a sense of awe at life’s beauty, and the promise of a love that transcends grief.” —Julie Fingersh, author of Stay: A Memoir of Family, Love and Other Traumas