Touching the World of Angels: How My Daughter's Short Life Changed Mine

As a grieving family sits shiva following the death of their 2-month-old baby girl, father Clyman experiences intense emotions through his friends, family, and rabbi. It's hard to imagine how anything positive could emerge from such a profound loss, but as Clyman is reminded, that is in fact the purpose of shiva, a Jewish ritual wherein seven days are set aside for unrestrained grieving and soul-searching. The author shares some of what helped him to work through the experience, such as stories of children's near-death experiences and parables. Sitting shiva he didn't become less sad, but rather learned more about his spiritual beliefs by being forced to examine them at length. Clyman also gained clarity and appreciation for the gift of life, as well as a renewed faith in the divine. He opens the book with his dream of being eaten by a shark, and closes with an admonition in parable form: listen to the whispers of God, or He might just throw a brick at you. This chronicle of one father's growth through sorrow is a moving tribute. (Mar.)