Hit Hard: One Family's Journey of Letting Go of What Was--and Learning to Live Well with What Is

Life hit Pat and Tammy McLeod hard when their son Zach collapsed on a high school football field; he had sustained a severe brain injury. Facing the devastating possibility that things would never be the same for their beloved son, they committed to staying strong as a family and finding a way to maintain their footing. But the journey would reshape their faith, their family, and their future in ways they never saw coming.What would it take for them to navigate the endless fallout of their son's life-transforming injury? How could they reconcile their grief over the life Zach lost, with gratitude for the life that remained? And how does a couple move forward together in their search for hope, rather than letting indefinable loss drive them apart?Hit Hard is the true story of the McLeods' journey through ambiguous loss?both having and not having their son. It's the story of a family who faced unexpected heartbreak, a story that offers us all glimpses of how we can pick up the pieces, redefine expectations, and trust God for hope in the midst of unresolved pain.The McLeod's experience with ambiguous loss inHit Hard is relevant to so many who have gone through similar types of loss, from PTSD to addiction recovery, families with loved ones MIA to those with Alzheimer's, those in foster care to head injuries or brain trauma. Walk with them through their journey as you find a way through yours as well.  Review Clarity. That is what this book brings to those searching for meaning in the midst of loss and suffering, or for those who feel caught up in a story that has no last chapter.Bob Swenson, ex All-Pro linebacker, Denver Broncos; founder of the Freedom 58 ProjectThis book is riveting. I could not put it down. Pat and Tammy McLeod share their story of being "hit hard" by their eldest son's head injury in a high school football game. With twists and turns, their story moves from sadness to joy and back again, but always informs and provides hope. While this book is about a child who is brain injured, it will be helpful for anyone coping with losses of any kind. The awful challenge is to embrace change--especially a change we loathe. In Hit Hard, the McLeods share their journey of how, with faith and dignity, they are coping with loss. I recommend this book not only for professionals but also for those who want to learn how to live with loss of any kind, clear or ambiguous. Dr. Pauline Boss, Professor Emeritus, University of Minnesota; author of Ambiguous Loss and other booksA stirring and inspiring story about loss, grief, love, and faith. Pat and Tammy McLeod have much to teach us all about the meaning of ambiguous loss--how they let go of the son they once knew and learned to embrace the son they have today.Ben Bradlee Jr., former Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist at the Boston Globe; author of The Kid: The Immortal Life of Ted Williams, and The Forgotten: How the People of One Pennsylvania County Elected Donald Trump and Changed AmericaThe McLeod family has been on a remarkable journey. By sharing the highs, the lows, and the unvarnished truth of their son Zachary's serious brain injury, they invite us all to reflect on finding meaning in tragedy, coping with a new reality, and discovering the depth of a family's love. Chris Nowinski, PhD, cofounder and CEO, Concussion Legacy Foundation; author of Head Games: The Global Concussion CrisisSpiritual, riveting, compassionate, loving, cathartic, and so much more. A must-read for every parent and parent-to-be.Dr. Robert C. Cantu, Clinical Professor of Neurosurgery and Neurology and Cofounder of the CTE Center, Boston University School of Medicine Review This book is riveting. I could not put it down. Pat and Tammy McLeod share their story of being ?hit hard? by their eldest son?s head injury in a high school football game. With twists and turns, their story moves from sadness to joy and back again, but always inf