Jim Beaver

4.5 stars

Jim Beaver is an actor. Some might know him from Deadwood; I know him from Supernatural. This is a memoir, but it's not about his career. It's much more personal. In 2003, his 2-year old daughter, Maddie, was diagnosed with autism. Two months later, his wife, Cecily, was diagnosed with cancer. Two days after Cecily's diagnosis, Jim sat down to write an email to friends and family to tell them what was going on. He emailed those friends and family daily after that. This book compiles show more a good portion of those emails.

It's amazing how much Jim was able to pour his heart out in those daily emails. The ups and downs of Cecily's fight with cancer, taking care of Maddie, the medical bills, dealing with everything... Told through these emails that were sent while it happened, means the story is told before they knew what the outcome would be, so it really is day-to-day struggles and hopes, and so much more. I think that also makes this memoir unique.

There's so much to fighting it that, if you haven't gone through it, or aren't close to someone who has... there's just so much I didn't know. I feel like I can't do the book justice with my review. This would be a tough one to read if you've gone through this yourself or with someone you love. I am close to tears, just writing the review. But Jim's love for his wife and family shine through the tears. show less

Intensely personal stories often illuminate universal truths. Jim writes: “I’ve attempted to flood the path with light where I could, and where I could not I’ve wanted at least to hold up a candle so that others coming this way might not stumble too painfully.” And indeed he has.

“I will bear this grief. I will endure it. I will reach a point where it doesn’t kick me down an abyss whenever I turn my back on it.”

As someone who still deals with the abyss of grief on a daily show more basis, I found this beautiful book wrenching and yet somehow hopeful as Jim Beaver weaves wisdom and humor into his story and their lives.

I recommend it highly, not only to those who have faced such grief but to anyone who someday might. Taking this journey with Jim, Cecily and their daughter Maddie has made me more acutely aware of the necessity for life beyond the grief. show less

This book is a compilation of e-mails, written over the duration of one year. JIm Beaver's daughter was diagnosed with autism, and six weeks later his wife received a lung cancer diagnosis. The book takes you along Mr. Beaver's gut wrenching emotional journey, where writing these e-mails certainly had a cathartic effect. His ability to express his feelings along this emotional roller coaster is impressive.

Jim Beaver's Life's That Way is the most sincere account about the battle with cancer I've ever read. The book is a collection of e-mails Jim sent daily to family and friends about his wife's struggle with stage IV lung cancer. For most people who have experienced the disease this is indeed a painful read, but it also offers hope and reasons to smile. When Cecily was diagnosed, an unbelievable number of family members and friends offered to help in any way they could, making Cecily, Jim, and show more their little Maddie feel a little less alone in their fight.

Jim is honest in relating his thoughts and emotions. Reading about his anger, resentment at the unfairness of the disease, and profound fear makes it easier for people to accept these feelings when they experience them themselves.

This is a touching, heart-breaking book everyone should read. Not only because almost everyone knows someone who had cancer or even had it themselves, but because it can teach us about our own strength and courage when they're needed, and that human kindness and selflessness has no limits. show less