Hit Hard

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

By: Pat McLeod, Tammy McLeod, Cynthia Ruchti

Narrated by: Pat McLeod, Tammy McLeod

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.

©2019 Patrick McLeod and Tammy McLeod (P)2019 Blackstone Audio, Inc.

Inspiring.

This book is inspiring. Story is well done with both the parents talking over the problems and troubles of their troubled life! It's an inspiration of how the whole family handled it and their strong faith in God.

Surprised how this story informs my own losses

I wanted to read to know the story in full of my friends, Pat and Tammy. However, the book not only drew me into the journey of the incredible disruption of such a substantial loss, but it opened my eyes to at least two more experiences. One, I feel more informed on how to come alongside others who have losses with more considerable sympathy and understanding. Two, and I did not expect this, but it has opened a window into my losses, and how I have or have not dealt with them. I recommend reading this story not only to enter into a journey with incredible depth but also to be open to exploring your own loses and precisely how you and others close to you have navigated your losses.

Excellent book!

I too had a very close relative who suffered a traumatic brain injury. She spent a year in a rehab facility but our great expectations were never realized. We praise God she never lost her Faith and her musical abilities. Her physical deficiencies were so great but God is greater than all our needs. Thank you for telling your story.

Heart-wrenching and Heart-filling

This story of life-change in a devoutly God-loving and God-serving family has so much to offer to all of us, but especially those who have experienced ambiguous loss. Thank you, Tammy and Pat, for opening your hearts and sharing your family’s experiences and your faith journey through them.

Hit Hard

Thank you for your authentic recount of your journey through tragedy, suffering and perseverance. This story touched the depths of my soul.

Excellent!

Excellent, well done, thoughtful, mature, full of grace, heart wrenching, insightful, faith filled, healing, ....beautiful.

Compelling, moving, and inspiring.

An amazing true story of resilience triumph, love, and faith. This story was particularly poignant for me as I have known and loved this family as neighbors. What a gift for them to invite us into the sacred and vulnerable space of their family's tragic, yet, inspiring story. As you find yourself being guided by Pat and Tammy through their journey, your heart will stretch, expand , and be changed forever.

Whole-heartedly recommended

What an encouraging, real, vulnerable, uplifting book! Readers need not have the exact loss to be encouraged by this story. Thank you to the authors, for sharing with others.

Redemption in the Loss

In a cultural that struggles to navigate loss and grieving, Hit Hard makes it all beautifully accessible. Painting a redemptive and poignant picture of navigating the pain of loss and finding joy and purpose in the new reality and practical fall out of being hit hard.

A changing heart story

The mercies of God with this family is evident and I trust that my life make some changes a out the pain that I have experienced in my life.
The mercies of God endures forever and I love him and trust him for giving me hope and peace.
I love you Lord.