FAITH NEWS SERVICE – What If Grief Isn’t Something to Get Over?
Gilbert, AZ— In a culture that often rushes people past their pain, chaplain and author Raewyn Elsegood offers something different: a quiet, honest companion for those learning to live with loss. Her new book, 21 Gifts: A Sacred Dance through Grief and Healing (Redemption Press, 2026), invites readers to discover that grief is not something to overcome, but something to walk through—with God present in every step.
Written in the aftermath of losing her nineteen-year-old daughter, Amy, to a rare illness, Elsegood’s reflections are shaped by both personal heartbreak and years of chaplaincy experience. What emerges is not a formula for healing, but a faithful presence on the page—one that acknowledges the disorientation of loss while gently guiding readers toward hope.
At the heart of the book is a simple but profound truth: grief and joy are not opposites. They often exist side by side. Through twenty-one short readings, Elsegood helps readers see that healing doesn’t come from moving on, but from learning how to carry love, memory, and faith forward together.
Each reflection is uniquely structured through three voices—a daughter’s perspective, a mother’s journey, and a chaplain’s insight—creating a layered and deeply human experience that resonates with both those grieving and those walking alongside them. Rather than offering quick answers, the book makes space for honest questions, quiet surrender, and the slow rebuilding of faith.
This message is especially timely as more people find themselves carrying private grief—loss of loved ones, disrupted dreams, or seasons of deep uncertainty—while feeling unseen or rushed by well-meaning advice. 21 Gifts speaks directly to that space, offering what many readers say they’re missing: permission to grieve deeply while still believing that joy can return.
Endorsed by ministry leaders, counselors, and authors, the book has been described as “a sacred companion for anyone walking through grief” and “a bridge of hope for those learning to dance again after loss.”
Raewyn’s paperback will be available on March 31, 2026; with the e-book free to download on Amazon for 5 days through April 4, 2026. Early readers are already sharing how much the story has touched them—here’s what a couple of reviewers have said:
Kirrily
5 Stars Refreshingly real and hope-filled ‘life and death’ story
“This is both a heart felt tale of a mother’s love and devotion, and an expert’s guide to navigating pain and loss. I appreciated the honest insights from different perspectives, and undeniable hope which shines through.”
Sheila
5 Stars Highly recommended to help understand deep loss
“Raewyn invites her readers to the secret place of grief and how she made it through. Her journey of pain and sorrow reveal her deep commitment to understanding grief. Raewyn reveals how she “danced” through hard times of grief wrestling with the doubt to know God and who He is. I highly recommend this book to help you or a friend “dance” through life crippling loss.”
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Raewyn Elsegood is a Sydney-based chaplain, writer, and speaker who brings warmth, wisdom, and hope to those navigating grief and loss. Drawing from her own experience of losing her 19-year-old daughter, Amy, Raewyn writes with the rare combination of a chaplain’s wisdom and a mother’s broken heart, offering readers not just comfort but companionship. The sense that someone truly understands what it means to keep dancing when your world has stopped spinning. Her compassionate presence, both on the page and in person, helps others find beauty, purpose, and peace in life’s hardest seasons.
For interviews, review copies, or speaking inquiries, contact:
Raewyn Elsegood
Email: raewyn@raewynelsegood.com
www.Raewynelsegood.com
Instagram: @raewynelsegood
