I found this a serene and peaceful read, as the name suggests.

I was a little afraid of grief reading before bed, but realized if I ever wanted chip away at my backlog, that’s the only time it seems I can set aside quiet time for it. It went better than expected. My sleepiness from reading overrode my sadness from the content, and I could fall asleep.

This book wasn’t a story, but rather a stream of consciousness. Several short almost journal entries. Rosenblatt writes about balance, writing, kayaking, the unique view from the water’s surface, and his love for his daughter.

It was fascinating to learn how it feels to be in a kayak. Kade liked to kayak, and I remember hearing from his dad, was good at it. I’d like to try it one day.

I marked passages I liked. There are a lot of sticky notes poking out of my book. There is quiet thoughtful wisdom in Rosenblatt’s choice of words. Both his own, and those he included from others who lost children, like William Wordsworth and Charles Darwin.

I recommend this book to bereaved parents; or anyone, really, who is interested in kayaking or feeling a part of the waterscape of the East Coast. I identified with his longing for his daughter, and appreciated his candid ruminations on difficult subjects like anger, isolating, and believing in a god who would allow this to happen. I’m not alone…and I got to take a ride on a stream that leads to the Atlantic to boot.

I give this book nine out of ten flannels.