“Sue Serlin’s book Goodnight My Son, I Love You, is a profound and heartfelt exploration of mental illness, the love between a mother and son, and the author’s own journey to compassion and healing. Anyone dealing with grief will find this book a staff and comfort.”
Ken LaZebnik
Writer/producer-“Touched By An Angel” (Iconic TV Series), Co-Writer with Garrison Keillor” Prairie Home Companion” (Award Winning Movie), Writer- “Star Trek: Enterprise” (Iconic TV Series), Writer-“When Calls The Heart” (Hallmark Channel Series)
“Sue Serlin painstakingly reveals the suffering of her mentally ill son, Joel, and describes the impact his suicide has had on her and her family. Her book is a plea for understanding and compassion for the mentally ill and their families. Moreover, it is filled with information and insights that could prevent other parents from the torment of losing a child to suicide. And for those who have suffered such a loss, it offers a treasure trove of suggestions for successful living in the aftermath. “Goodnight My Son, I Love You” will open your eyes and your heart.”
Molly Brown Koch, Author, “27 Secrets to Raising Amazing Children”, Columnist, Baltimore’s Child Magazine, Parent-Education & Director, Keep the Connection Workshop.
My name is Jim Tuman and I have spoken to more than two million people worldwide on the topic of suicide prevention. It is with great honor that I endorse this book, Goodnight My Son, I Love You. Author, Sue Serlin. The highest compliment I can give is that I believe the story and subsequent messages will save lives. It is a must-read for any parent even though your child may not be in immediate danger. It is a must read for the bereaved and those dealing with suicide.
Parenting is the ultimate key to changing what has become a national epidemic. I believe this book is a step toward that goal.
Jim Tuman, National Youth Speaker and Founder, Jimmy’s Kids.
“Thank you for allowing me to read your book. I completed it in one day, and I congratulate you on writing a courageous and profoundly self-revealing volume. Clearly, the book was a cathartic experience for you, and those who read it thoroughly will have a chance to share in, and perhaps relate personally to your many deep insights. You are truly a “wounded healer,” with the capacity to touch many lives.”
Rabbi Daniel B. Syme, Rabbi Emeritus, Temple Beth El, Bloomfield Hills, Michigan
“In Goodnight My Son, I Love You Sue Serlin allows the reader into the relationship between the son groping with mental health issues and the loving mother who tries to assist him in getting off of the spiral pathway that eventually takes his life. In an open, honest, and straight-forward manner, the author shares the journey taken by Sue and her son, Joel; in an effort to prevent his death and subsequently, her path to survival after his loss. Through her words, others may gain insight and understanding that the pain experienced by the patient is not solely theirs, but is shared by all who love and care about them. While one might want the monograph to end with an emergence from the darkness for Joel, mental health and suicide don’t always have Hollywood endings. Goodnight My Son offers the reader the understanding that each must walk their pathways to find peace whether dealing with a loved one with challenges, or after a loss. While traversing this path is not one that someone would prefer, those who are pushed on to it are not alone and we can learn, work through, and grow despite the painful grief process.”
Ken Massey, PhD, Mayor, City of Farmington Hills, Michigan Co-director of the Farmington Area Suicide Prevention Task Force Board Member, AFSP, Michigan Chapter
Though sad that it had come to this, I was honored by his trust. We documented information, talked twice daily and developed our own support groups. We looked at specific tools to work with. This book exemplifies hope, life and specific suggestions for moving forward.
It was the most accomplished academic year for Joel. We became both teacher and student for each other. He taught me to listen and when to express my thoughts or remain silent. I learned how to speak to my son and ask questions.
When he died, a part of me died—-until now.
“As an artist and an art therapist, I am very pleased with Sue Serlin’s suggestions regarding artwork and the use of imagery in the treatment of suicidal ideation and in the treatment of bereavement. In my work as an art therapist, I have seen the powerful therapeutic outcomes created by these methods. Imagery and artistic impulses come from a part of the brain close to the location of dreams. All the verbal therapy in the world cannot tap into these memories and stored emotions as quickly and effectively as art therapy. I have worked with adults and children dealing with bereavement issues, and I found art therapy a very powerful tool. Sue is definitely on the right track with her many varied suggestions; and I can recommend her book to anyone with these issues.”
Anne Jantz, B.F.A., M.Ed., Art Therapy
“In the work I do, I often see that the most powerful transformations come from those who have loved us and have passed on to the afterlife. There’s something special about how they come to serve that moves us. Regardless of what your belief is about suicide, about those who speak from the grave, about life in general; Goodnight My Son, I Love You will speak to your heart. Sue Serlin has captured the love of a mother and son on paper and then taken us into a harrowing journey of what it is like to live with loved ones struggling against mental-illness. This book is not for those who want to escape the aftereffects of death; rather it is for those who want to fully embrace life.”
Tina Ferguson, Ph.D., author of Must Be Present to Win
“Good Night My Son, I Love You is a very powerful book. Sue was right there working with her son through this very tough experience. Their journey reveals the traumas and the closeness of Mother and Son. There was great thought given to the strategies employed while working with Joel. It is a work book of understanding, acceptance, and forgiveness that promotes healing for the surviving family. This is a tremendous resource for those who are grieving the loss of a loved one through suicide as well as those contemplating suicide and their families.”
Clifford Heller, DDS, Instructor and Facilitator, Dynamic Living
“Sue’s divine “motherly” nature is passionately and powerfully apparent in this story of her beloved son. I rejoice in the healing that others, who have experienced love and loss through suicide, may find in her heart-filled offering. If only we could understand that what we call “grief” is actually love, and therefore, we will never “get over it,” as it is truly our divine nature.”
Reverend Martha Creek, National Speaker
“As the pages of this book turned from one scene to the other unfolding Joel’s life I was impressed with his tenacity “through it all” to always give life another go around. Joel talked to friends, joined support groups, was in contact with his family and had a significant other. He really did not isolate himself within his isolating illness. It was sad to review Joel’s life since I knew him. The book not only tells Joel’s story and how he felt, it gives several suggestions on what to do about this serious problem. It addresses the family of the suicidal, the suicidal and the bereaved. The healing goes far beyond the medication. New behaviors need to be learned. We hear so much about medication. It is not the end all. The behavior and thoughts must be changed. This requires a life-time process of learning and putting into action changes to counteract the negative thoughts. Sue makes it clear the need for change and that it is ongoing.
My own experiences with depression identified with Joel’s in many ways as he reacted with sadness, disappointment and the proverbial “Why Me?” And yet…Joel’s hopefulness kept me reading. The pictures painted in his final hours of agony are truly only ones that he will know but I believe there is identification signs told in his story that will help you with your own struggle, or of one that you love so dearly as all of us involved loved Joel. His story is believable and although sad, filled me with greater understanding of his needs when crying for help in the last weeks when he knew in his heart what he was going to do. So…what’s the good of this story? Simple…in that Joel’s life lives on and we learn from Joel’s and Sue’s interaction. A life taken even by his own hands…and yet a life saved because of his bravery to endure for so long in this misunderstood illness.
Reverend Janie Schmidt, Turtles Ministry
