Title: Life, Love and Longing: Letting Go is Hard to Do
Author: Joel M. Levin M.D.
Publisher: West Point Print
ISBN: 978-1734186000
Genre: Christian Inspirational/Self-Help
Pages: 211
Reviewed by: Lisa Brown-Gilbert
Pacific Book Review
The loss of a loved one is one of the most difficult experiences humans go through, and we all have been there at one time or another plunged into a sea of darkness, often drowning in waves of emotion. Learning through the experience how to simultaneously let go of the physical presence, but holding on to the spirit through the love and the memories, is artfully exemplified within the poignant memoir of author Joel M Levin’s Life, Love, and Longing: Letting Go is Hard to do. It is a sincere and touching work dedicated to honoring a lifetime of love with his wife, while delving into the emotional journey of letting go.
Within this stirring narrative, husband, soulmate, medical doctor, musician, and author, Joel M. Levin M.D. dispenses a heart-felt outline of his experiences during his journey of over fifty years of marriage with his wife Donna, who passed on, leaving him more than bereft. Revealing through the multifaceted aspects of this loving tribute of stories, memories, poems, and referenced song lyrics, culminates into a story which serves to inspire with the reminder to keep the faith and to look back in love, while letting go leaving the hasher emotions behind, so that one may ultimately help to re-establish balance within yourself, which is not an easy task.
Starting out with a deeply insightful poem The Dance of Life sets the tone for this book as an overall, deeply expressive work. Moving further into the world of author Levin, the remainder of the book is divided into two parts; the first part exploring Dr. Levin’s life before meeting and marrying his wife, mainly introducing his family and revisiting memories of his childhood experiences, as well as looking at his family dynamics growing up. Next, the second half covers his experiences with his wife Donna, posing a loving look further into their many years together, sharing the love story of their lives, with a variety of anecdotal memories gleaned from the many ventures of their blessed life together.
Altogether, Life, Love, and Longing: Letting Go is Hard to Do is a memorable memoir which truly and deeply touches the soul. I enjoyed reading this book and sharing in author Levin’s well written experiences. Overall, the read turned out to be a poetic, emotion-stirring tribute to life and love, teeming with moments that make for tears, laughter, and reflection. This is definitely a worthwhile read.
