"Thank you for writing this book for Cooper. How special that l will be able to share this with my children one day."

​​​

​

​

​

"Vicki's poetic ability to reshape an adult's inured perspective on grief, love, and loss into a heart-warming and relatable journey for a child is simply magical.
 

Our dear friend Cooper will inspire many stories to come."

"This touching story is an evolving testimony; about how life and spirits connect through the universe. It encourages us to see through lenses that are beyond dark clouds; the dreamy, transparent ones that can send and receive rays of memories and hope, the past and future experiences woven through every poetic word with rhythms one could feel the joys and sorrows at once. The deep rooted love and emptiness when one is no longer there to touch and hug."

Highly recommended

I read this book to better understand grief through the eyes of a mother, after a close friend lost a child. It’s raw, emotional, and incredibly hard to put down.
There are no words that can truly comfort someone facing such an unimaginable loss, but this book taught me what to say and just as importantly what not to say to a grieving parent.
It offered a deeply moving insight into the pain and complexity of losing a child. I would highly recommend this book not only to parents who have experienced a loss of a child, but also to friends and loved ones who want to better understand how to support them with compassion and care.

​

- Amazon Reviewer

“It made me feel sad and happy!

​

I loved the words and the message about the clouds and colors of the clouds.

​

I think other kids would like it very much.”

Alex, 6 years

"This story is a great opening for teachers in early childhood education to touch on loss through this subtle story, which powerfully demonstrates the connections one can still make, by encouraging children to imagine through the water colour illustrations and beautiful words."

Early Childhood Teacher
 

A Raw and Honest Journey Through Grief

Reviewed in Australia on 7 February 2026

I picked up this book wanting to understand loss, but what I found went far beyond that. Through your words, I could see grief from the perspective of a mother and a friend—honest, raw, and deeply moving.

It’s clear that not everyone grieves or heals in the same way, and yet your book gives such profound insight into the thoughts and emotions of someone who has lost a child. Reading it was heartbreaking, but also enlightening. It reminded me of the depth of love, the weight of loss, and the quiet ways people carry both.

This is a book that stays with you, not just for its story, but for the courage and honesty behind it. Thank you for sharing such an intimate part of your life; it has opened my heart in ways I can’t fully put into words.

​

- Amazon Reviewer

"This book is a beautiful tribute—a mother’s way of keeping her beloved son's spirit alive. As I read it, I could feel her looking up at the sky, seeing her son in the flight of a bird, in the quiet rustle of the garden—still present, still near. What makes this book truly timeless is the love it holds; not just a story, but a piece of her heart, a testament to the bond between a mother and her child.

Her hope that her son becomes immortal through these pages—present in every home, in every reader's heart—is something I deeply believe in. We’ve all loved and lost someone, and that’s why this book resonates so widely. It speaks to all of us.

But beyond everything, what I love the most is the powerful, unconditional love that shaped every word. It’s the kind of love only a mother can give, and it makes this story unforgettable."

"Vicki's poetic ability to reshape an adult's inured perspective on grief, love, and loss into a heart-warming and relatable journey for a child is simply magical.
 

Our dear friend Cooper will inspire many stories to come."

“It made me feel sad and happy!

​

I loved the words and the message about the clouds and colors of the clouds.

​

I think other kids would like it very much.”

Alex, 6 years
 

From Pain to Purpose is a deeply moving and beautifully honest memoir. I started it intending to read a little and ended up finishing it in one sitting.
Vicki’s words are filled with love, strength and resilience, and the book is a powerful reminder that tomorrow is not promised. It opened my eyes to how precious life is and the importance of appreciating and being truly grateful for what we have. It also gives a rare insight into what you don’t see behind closed doors when someone is experiencing grief. The quiet moments and the strength it takes just to keep going.

Even as someone who isn’t a mum yet, this book touched me deeply. I believe anyone can connect to it, whether as a parent, sibling, partner or loved one. A book that stays with you long after you finish.

​

- Amazon Reviewer

Every page of this memoir pulses with love, heartbreak, and the quiet strength it takes to keep breathing after the unthinkable. Rather than offering easy answers or polished reflections, the author lays bare the chaos of sorrow, the anger, and unbearable grief associated with losing a child. The honesty here feels deeply and unmistakably human.

​

- Amazon Reviewer