Pockets of Grace
Lessons from Darkness, Lessons from Light
Heidi Gessner, MDiv, BCC
“Heidi Gessner’s book is a kind revelation. She is warm, authentic and full of relatable stories. She draws you into her journey and you can’t help but go with her. Her kindness is real, her questions for the reader are thoughtful. Whatever the spirit means to you, she’s fine with that. And she makes you want to consider what that is. What a lovely gift of a book!” ~ Author E Swan
Heidi is the author of Pockets of Grace: Lessons from Darkness, Lessons from Light, her memoir about her journey during her father’s terminal lung cancer while simultaneously divorcing her first husband. At the threshold of death, she found connectedness, meaning, and depth, which led her to work with dying and bereaved people.
In this book, you’ll discover how even during turbulent times, you are never truly alone. Pockets of Grace explores how unpredictable coincidences and magical synchronicities are signs from the universe, letting you know you’re on the right path. You can find comfort and support during challenging times in unexpected ways!
As a former end-of-life chaplain, Heidi shares relatable stories from patients, grief groups, saints, and healthcare professionals. Pockets of Grace illustrates how death may end the physical life of someone you love, but your relationship doesn’t have to end. Your bond can naturally shift to a non-physical connection. You’ll learn ways to connect with your loved one through messengers – birds, feathers, totem animals, and other ways.
You’ll learn about Celtic spirituality and its emphasis on the sacred essence of nature, and how the natural world has the capacity to soothe your grief feelings.
Pockets of Grace explores soul-forgetfulness – how we’ve forgotten who we are, what we know deep down, personally, and collectively. You’ll learn how to listen to your soul, treating it as sacred.
Pockets of Grace will show you how to cultivate an attitude of gratefulness, even in times of sorrow and hardship. Grateful grief has the power to transform the way you view your world altogether.
Pockets of Grace shows you how to recognize moments of grace in your life, realizing that you have support and guidance on every step of your journey.
You’ll learn how the divine is woven into all you do; in ways you may not have imagined.
Plus, there are reflective questions and practices at the end of each chapter if you want to explore a theme further.
Pockets of Grace: Lessons from Darkness, Lessons from Light, is for anyone wrestling with spirituality and/or grief and addresses issues about what it means to be human, to grieve, and to grow.
Love for Pockets of Grace
A Book about Living
This book is a support blanket and hug for anyone who has lost a loved one, a pet or just lost their way. Heidi bravely shares both her personal and professional journey in, out and through grief – along with a wondrous sprinkling of metaphysics. The gentle questionings at the end of each chapter make it worth the read just by themselves. A beautifully written modern handbook on how to cope with loss. As a quote from the book says, “If you want to find out how to live, spend some time with someone who is dying.”
– Tom Evans
This is a transformational book
For years, my late husband and I struggled with finding what’s been missing in organized religion, and with the hypocrisy of many so called Christian churches during this time of negativity and misinformation in the time of Covid. Pockets of Grace provided light, and grace, and excitement that maybe what we needed exists after all! It’s not hyperbole to say that this new book has already comforted me and is changing my life through strategies, readings, encouragement and acceptance in my new world. One of Heidi’s themes is finding connections of lost love in nature, and with her guidance, I’m feeling a connectivity with family and friends who are no longer mortal. There are signs of them everywhere, she says, and my heart is opening up to that possibility. It is easy to identify with Heidi’s life story, and her journey to where she is now is fascinating. I plan to gift this book to many friends who are struggling with illnesses and imminent death, and I KNOW Pockets of Grace will help them enormously. This is a transformational book.
– Cindy
It will be life-changing
Sprint to get a copy of Pockets of Grace! I pinky promise it will be life changing. Heidi’s words are medicine. This book took my breath away. As someone who often feels alone in grief; Heidi’s words – filled with grounded wisdom and soul, are a reminder that we are not alone in life – even if we feel like we are. Her words are a healing balm, often reminding me of warm chicken soup on a cold day. Heidi spoke to exactly where I am in life, creating space for more breath and more grace. If you need a nudge, words of wisdom, or are grieving a loved one, please get this book to be reminded that you are not alone and that the ones we love don’t ever leave us.
– Gretchen
The book is a keeper
– Nancy
Your solace in hard times
– Nina de Gramont,
The Christie Affair
Pockets of Grace
Lessons from Darkness, Lessons from Light
Heidi Gessner, MDiv, BCC
