I have known Carla for many, many years. We met at a grief conference where we were speaking as presenters and became fast friends. I consider her my sister of the heart. Carla is an incredibly gifted intuitive with unparalleled insights into dream recall and wisdom in the archetypal components and symbology of dream word. Dreaming Kevin will not only provide you with insight into deciphering your own dreams, provide tips for remembering your dream, but how to incorporate that cryptic knowledge that is sorted out in REM to aid you in you daily journey of discovery.
Her book validates that continuing connections are real and that dream world is a real and necessary part of the grief journey. Her story, her pain, her love, her discoveries, her healing is very real. Wrought from the depths of unimaginable pain and horror she has blessed the world with this captivating and healing tome of self discovery and purpose that will open your eyes, warm you heart, and enlighten your soul. Dreaming Kevin: The Path to Healing is just that, a path to healing. Thank you Carla and Kevin.
Mitch Carmody, author Letters from My Son
www.heartlightstudios.net
COMPANIONS ON THE JOURNEY
A NOTE FROM MARY...Carla's grief counselor: I was chosen from the Beginning...Life teaches you this as you look back at all of your experiences. I questioned myself the moment I was told of Kevin's death. "Was I the best trained and qualified therapist to help this family through this trauma of losing their precious family member?" I knew that this was a life-changing event for all who were chosen...this journey was going to take us down a path that none of us had ever experienced. I constantly prayed for strength, guidance and wisdom as we traveled through this journey toward understanding.
I knew that all I could do was to help the Blowey's find the answers that would heal their hearts that were shattered into pieces. Being there in a supportive "on call" commitment was commanded of me from within and would require this. Listening with an open heart and knowing that I could not shield myself from the immense pain had to be accepted within myself from the beginning. So I allowed myself to walk deeply in the shadows of all of their pain and suffering. Daily, we grew with each wave of agony and we tried to put all of the pieces of their hearts back together again.
This journey of heart and soul healing took many months for each of us. The drive to heal was never ending and the surplus of energy required was given to us daily. As we sought the answers, they were given to each one of us and we were able to see more clearly as time went on. Trust, Faith, Love and Forgiveness were the gifts that God gave to Stann, Carla and Amber and helped them in putting their lives and family back together...their hearts filled with Love, understanding and joy once again. The blessings received by each of us were so personal. I learned how God gave us gifts and miracles daily.
As parents, one of our greatest fears is to experience what the Bloweys and many other families have been challenged with in losing a child. Dreaming Kevin: The Path To Healing is a miraculous gift that came from the Blowey's loss of one of their precious gifts from God...their son. This true story reveals the journey we experienced. This book will help heal many lives and assist others whose hearts have been shattered by the loss of their child.
Dreaming Kevin is a wonderful documentation of one of the most difficult yet fulfilling times in my career. I am grateful that God was there giving each one of us the strength to walk this journey.
A NOTE FROM AMBER...Kevin's sister: Carla Blowey is my mom and as many of you know who have already ready the book, I was only eight-and-a-half years old when Kevin died. As a third grader, I was very confused and didn't really understand what death meant. I had a really hard time grasping the idea that I would never see my brother again. I was so surprised when I had dreams about Kevin. In one dream I remember him coming to the side of my bed and touching my face, letting me know that everything would be okay. While this was very cool, it was also a little frightening even though Mom told me not to be afraid to dream him. I had no idea what my mom was going through, let alone the intensity of her dreams. All I knew was that she was not acting like the "Mommy" I knew.
Reading Dreaming Kevin was very healing for me. The book answered many questions that I had been afraid to ask about or that I had not even thought of yet. Mom was very careful not to tell me too much to soon, waiting for me to be ready and receptive. So, it wasn't until I was a teenager that she shared some of the dreams with me. Dreaming Kevin filled in many lost memories for me. I was amazed at how much I had forgotten about right before the accident and right after. As I was reading about some of the events, it was like I would flash back and recover the memory. While there were many events that I forgot about, I was also amazed at all the things that happened that I was not aware of.
When I read Dreaming Kevin, I had just finished my first semester of college. With my new college attitude I dove right into the book, not realizing the effect it would have on me and I was unprepared for the intense emotions it would bring up. Reading the book was not an easy task for me. I was in tears all the way through the book. My mom's writing was so descriptive that it took me right back to that time. At times, I felt as though I was eight-and-a-half years old again, but at the same time I now had the perspective of an 18-year-old. Reading Dreaming Kevin was truly a learning experience for me. I learned so much about my mom and what she and my father experienced. I hope that others can get as much out of this book as I did. I hope this book helps others in their journey to healing and lets them know they are not alone.
A NOTE FROM STANN...Kevin's father: It has taken me many years to overcome the loss of my son, Kevin, whom I love and miss very much today. Part of my healing process was being able to love and support my lovely wife, Carla, and beautiful daughter, Amber these past years. However, I admit there were many times when I neglected my own grief. Most men and women don't grieve in the same way. As a bereaved father I dealt with the loss of Kevin differently than my wife. I was overwhelmed by the pressures of having to return to work and support the family. I was not comfortable talking about my feelings with many people, except with Carla, and even then I was worried about how my pain would affect her. So, as many men do, I did not recognize that my pain was just as important and valid. It was difficult watching her be in so much pain and not be able to relate to her dream world. I wanted so much to experience those kind of dreams and have the same relationship with Kevin that she had. Thankfully, Kevin was persistent and found a way to come to me too.
Carla's book has given me a better understanding of her inner world and the grieving process from a mother's perspective. It also helped me with my own grief issues and enabled me to heal some of my wounds. I encourage all bereaved fathers to take the risk to read our story and recognize that although as fathers our grief journeys may be different than our deceased child's mother...our feelings of loss are just as valid. What is most important is that we loved.