"THE MOMENTS WE STAND: Silences Breaks, Book 1," by Ashlee Birk, $13.05, 245 pages (nf)
Ashlee Birk unexpectedly became a widow and a single mother of five children at age 28 after the shooting death of her husband. It left her world seemingly shattered.
Birk began to write about her experiences in order to heal and then decided to published her memoir in order to capture her journey. The first installment is “The Moments We Stand: Silence Breaks.”
In this first installment, Birk poignantly depicts the grief, love, strength, abandonment and hope she felt during the first few months following her husband’s murder and the discovery of his affair up to her preparing to participate in her husband’s murder trial. She thoughtfully touches upon how his death affected her children and their healing as well.
Birk also shares in the memoir how the love of God is powerful enough to heal even the deepest wounds while acknowledging how difficult that process can be at times.
Despite the grim subject matter, Birk manages to tell her story in a way that proves to be uplifting and hopeful. She uses her experiences to help others see that they are not alone and that they, too, can turn to God to find strength to overcome all things. She does so in a simple and unassuming way that allows readers to reflect on their own trials and their own lives.
Birk’s portrayal in her memoir is told in a raw manner that gives insight into what Birk felt, the pains and struggles of being a single mom, of both loving and hating her husband who destroyed all she held dear, and of learning to forgive and to trust God.
The memoir is a story of strength that is heartwarming and heartbreaking all at the same time.
It includes no swearing, described violence or sexual content. There are only general references to her husband's death and affair.
This memoir stops rather suddenly, almost jarringly. The next installment promises to continue the story, but until then, readers are left with many unanswered questions and no sense of resolution.
Birk, a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and a Utah State University graduate, discusses religious principles generally. She currently lives in Idaho.
Danica Baird is currently attending BYU and is pursuing a double-major in English and journalism.