What meaning can be assigned to life apart from consideration of death? To ignore death is to ignore the ultimate question of life's purpose. For a long time I have sensed that life and death are indivisible aspects of the same reality—namely, existence. But since Carole's death it has seemed imperative that I name that place where meaning is enveloped in mystery and that I embrace both meaning and mystery by faith.

From an intimately personal perspective L.D. Johnson explores the nature of grief, ponders the God of love and the reality of evil, and describes the individual's pilgrimage through inexplicable tragedy. Beginning with the death of his daughter Carole on an icy highway just after her twenty-third birthday, he weaves his memories and selected writings into a warm and vivid story as he provides hope, healing, and insight for others who face the loss of a loved one.

L.D. Johnson (1917-1981) was chaplain of Furman University, where under his direction the Furman Pastors School became the largest program of continuing theological education in the country.