Author Jessica Mast Writes The Call of a Caregiver to Reach New Generation of Widows
For immediate release: At the age of 23 Jessica Mast was a beaming bride. At the age of 25 she was a grieving widow, struggling with the excruciating loss of her husband Jimmy. Jimmy’s liver began to fail and for months Jessica spent every moment by his hospital bed, leading the exhausting, painful life of a caregiver. “Jimmy’s condition was often up and down, and we would go from thinking he was improving one week to thinking the worst the next week,” says Jessica. “I stayed by his side through it all and refused to give up hope for Jimmy’s healing.”
Liver failure took Jimmy’s life on his 28th birthday, leaving Jessica empty, alone and struggling to understand why. “I felt hurt and betrayed by God for not healing Jimmy, and I struggled with anger toward God for months before I finally surrendered to His comfort, compassion and love for me,” remembers Jessica. “My despair almost caused me to take my own life, and once again, Jesus saved me from destruction. Over time, Jesus healed my wounds.” Jessica hopes by sharing her story of restoration through her new book The Call of a Caregiver, she’ll help others in similar circumstances.
A 2010 study estimates that the US is home to 13.6 million widows, the third highest of any country in the world. But often resources are geared towards older widows. However, recent wars have created a new generation of young caregivers and widows that Jessica hopes to encourage through The Call of a Caregiver.
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