In the depth of human suffering we discover the reality of God.
Theodore McDowell has published a series of three books of poetry which explore his journey through childhood and adult trauma to renewal and recovery.
The first book,
Evenings on the Edge of Death
, focuses on the author's traumatic experiences within his family of origin. Topics include child abuse, alcoholism, mental illness, and suicide. This book also examinations Mr. McDowell's grief related to his mother's dementia. Finally, the book contains a section on the author's marriage which provides hope for renewal and recovery.
The second book,
Excavating the Cruelty of Memories
, explores Mr. McDowell's experience with four adult traumas: a traumatic brain injury, mental illness, homelessness, and substance abuse. The book details the author's twenty-year struggle with these painful issues.
The third book,
Drinking from God's Well
, describes Mr. McDowell's difficult journey from trauma to renewal and recovery and the importance of his relationship with God. The book addresses his emotional and spiritual confrontations with childhood traumas, a traumatic brain injury, mental illness, substance abuse, and homelessness
The autobiographical and fictional poems contained in the three books explore the powerful emotional and spiritual issues related to the author's traumas and suffering. Emotional challenges include grief, guilt, shame, anger, resentment, fear, and hopelessness. Spiritual issues include faith, hope, redemption, love, repentance, and forgiveness.
The books are personal, authentic, and poignant in their exploration of Mr. McDowell's struggle from the depths of despair to the joy of redemption and forgiveness. The goal of this series of three poetry books involves depicting the deep pain and damage resulting from trauma and rejoicing in the hope and God's grace embedded in this suffering.