Permission to Thrive

My Journey from Grief to Growth

By: Susan Angel Miller

Narrated by: Susan Angel Miller

In Permission to Thrive, Susan traces her extraordinary journey, which begins when her healthy 14-year-old daughter dies suddenly from a brain tumor, and the family's decision - on the worst day of their lives - to donate Laura's organs, saving the life of a woman with whom the Miller family would eventually cultivate an exceptional relationship.

This intensely personal story addresses the unnerving and universal topics of death, illness, and trauma while conveying a hopeful message: Life-changing tragedies might be impossible to predict or prevent, but it is the response to these adversities which influences the extent and likelihood of post-traumatic emotional growth.

This memorable book speaks to anyone who fears when that next bad event will occur and wonders how they will respond. This book reveals the human ability to grieve, survive, and eventually thrive.

©2019 Susan Angel Miller (P)2020 LRS Press

Impactful, transcendent memoir

The saying “God will never give you more than you can handle” took on new meaning for me after listening to Susan Angel Miller’s transcendent memoir, Permission to Thrive. Susan’s resilience in dealing with her daughter’s death and choosing to find growth, and ultimately joy, in her life lessons is humbling, inspiring, and hopeful. Miller’s no-nonsense writing and narration never manipulates your heartstrings, something she could easily have intended. Yet, I found myself openly crying through several sections; not because of the heartbreak Miller was enduring, but because of her determination to use her tragedy as a bridge to something greater than herself. Her memoir has the structure of all great stories, including a false victory and final triumph. I am so grateful to have listened to this significant story of tragedy and transformation, particularly impactful because the author herself narrates her tale without flinching.

A Heroic Tale

This work of Non Fiction tugged at my heart strings. The journey of their vibrant teenage daughter's was a hard pill for me to swallow. I listened on Audible, so my heart goes out the the Author who also did her own narration of her book. I applaud her in so many ways. Even though the book was full of grief, it also was heroic acts of selfless love. Even though the Author/Mom battled with a similar health issue of her own, the book still ended on a peaceful note. Being a Organ Transplation Advocate, I recommend this book to everyone. Maybe taking a walk through the lives of the family in this book, will help many others to see, how important Organ Donation Heroes are very important in life.

Beautiful story of resilience and courage

I loved this book. I have gone through a traumatic event after losing my brother 8 years ago following a heart transplant and while Susan Angel Miller's loss was more sudden and heartbreaking, I learned a lot from what she experienced, how their community came together to deal with it and how she coped and grew following a life threatening health scare of her own. The entire chapter on post traumatic growth was enlightening, inspiring and very well researched. I love the attention to detail in terms of resources that were helpful to her on her journey and even the discussion topics at the end. What a great story and so well read by the author herself.

Worth the listen

I discovered this book through a local posting because I too live in Milwaukee(as the author does). When listening to the book, I discovered I was born the same year as Laura. Little connections that helped really bring home the reality to this story.

It’s an incredible story, both in what transpired and how it was written. I knew it would be an emotional book but it still catches you, especially with an unexpected twist. I really respect and admire an author that can acknowledge and apologize for their own faults as this author does throughout the entire book. Something that I think can often be overlooked in a memoir but is oh so crucial in truly gaining a solid perspective. I also love a book with an upbeat at peace ending.

It took me a little bit to get used to the narrators voice but I do always appreciate when the narrator reads it themselves.

I’ve heard mixed reviews on organ donation and it’s nice to hear a positive experience.