Praise for Carrie's Journal
Laura Gaddis, Author of "Mosaic"
Pierson's account of caring for his ailing wife goes beyond a mere description of a grieving spouse. We are transported through time from the moment they met in high school to how their relationship transformed through the years. With vivid recounting of trips, raising their sons, and moving through life as a military family, we fall in love with the Piersons, which makes their struggles through his wife's cancer all the more emotional. As a clinical research professional, Pierson offers a unique view on how we view illness, choose treatment, and cope with the aftermath. This is a book that will linger with the reader for a long time after they finish the last word.
Julie Ryan McGue, author of "Twice a Daughter" and "Twice the Family"
Carrie’s Journal: A Journey Through Life and Loss is not a story about cancer—it’s a story about love that refused to fade.
When Jerry Pierson discovered his late wife Carrie’s college journal, he uncovered more than memories—he found the voice of a young woman whose words would guide him through grief and toward healing.
Blending Carrie’s reflections with his own, Jerry paints a vivid portrait of their shared life—of laughter and loss, strength and surrender, and the quiet moments that define what it means to love deeply.
Told with honesty, humor, and grace, Carrie’s Journal explores the uncharted landscape of caregiving, the heartbreak of letting go, and the courage it takes to begin again.
A deeply human tribute to devotion and resilience, this is a story for anyone who has ever loved, lost, and learned to keep going.
Kathleen Somers, Author of "Barely Visible: Mothering a Son Through His Misunderstood Autism"
Pierson invites readers on a journey through life with his wife, Carrie—one that may seem ordinary at first, yet within those quiet, everyday moments he reveals the depth of their true love and unwavering commitment. Together, they face life’s final chapter with gentle grace—a moving reminder that love’s strength endures through loss and ultimately conquers grief.
Gary Sturgis, Grief Specialist and Bestselling Author of "SURVIVING GRIEF – 365 Days A Year"
As a grief specialist, and as someone who has walked through profound loss myself, I found Carrie’s Journal: A Journey Through Life and Loss to be a powerful and heartfelt tribute. Jerry Pierson has crafted something rare, a love story that doesn’t shy away from the hardest truths of illness and grief, yet shines with humor, warmth, and resilience.
Through Carrie’s own words and Jerry’s honest reflections, we get to know a woman whose strength and spirit remained undiminished even in the face of cancer. It’s both deeply personal and universally relatable, offering comfort, connection, and validation for those who have loved and lost.
Carrie’s Journal: A Journey Through Life and Loss isn’t only a tribute to one remarkable life but also a source of solace for all who are navigating grief. This book will stay with you long after the last page, reminding you of what truly matters, love, courage, and the strength to carry on.
Allison & Jason Jachowski Owners, ODIN CrossFit Frederick, Maryland
Jerry’s story is one of resilience, love, and the human capacity to keep moving forward—even
when life brings unimaginable loss. Carrie’s Journal: A Journey Through Life and Loss is far
more than a memoir of grief; it is a tribute to partnership, purpose, and the enduring strength
that comes from honoring the life of someone deeply loved.
Through his words, Jerry invites readers into an honest and vulnerable account of what it means
to live fully—through the highs of love and family, and the lows of heartbreak and healing. His
courage in sharing both the beauty and pain of his journey allows others to see that growth,
gratitude, and meaning can be found even after the hardest seasons of life.
At ODIN CrossFit, we’ve had the privilege of watching Jerry continue that journey. He came to
us during a time of profound loss, and through consistency, connection, and community, he
rediscovered his strength—physically, mentally, and emotionally. Jerry embodies what we
believe at ODIN: that movement, humility, and human connection can restore hope. His story is
a reminder that no matter where you are in life’s timeline, it’s never too late to rebuild, to find
purpose, and to live fully again.
Carrie’s Journal is not just a story of one woman’s life—it’s a story for anyone who has ever
loved deeply, lost deeply, and still chosen to keep going. Jerry’s words will move you, inspire
you, and remind you of the power of faith, love, and community.