Transformed By Tragedy

Where did her Father get his choice of a name? Everyone just assumed it was because he loved operas and named her after the Spanish gypsy in "Carmen." As she matured into a stunningly beautiful young girl with an olive complexion, dark hair and dark eyes, she resembled more of the Hispanic race than her Caucasian ancestry. Her lack of identity in early childhood combined with the rejection and abuse from her family of origin, led Carmyn to believe that the "y" in her name was the beginning of her feeling like a misplaced "why" in life. After a failed suicide attempt at age thirteen, Carmyn sought to find the answers to the untold many "whys" in her life. A dramatic conclusion weaves the past with the present and shines with the compelling truth and hope that only God can bring light out of darkness. Her redemption is found veiled in the symbolism of roses, the love of an unforgettable caretaker named Rosetta, and a divine revelation from God that ultimately transforms her tragedies into triumphs.

Using spiritual and psychological resources, Tragedy Transformed offers wisdom and self-help ideas for people in tragedy. Each chapter contains an interview with people today, a detailed discussion of Job's similar experiences, and self-help suggestions. The book also contains an Epilogue, Endnotes, and an Index.

'Traumascapes are a distinctive category of places transformed physically and psychically by suffering, part of a scar tissue that stretches across the world.' Maria Tumarkin grew up in the old Soviet Union, and emigrated to Australia as a teenager. In 2004, she embarked on an international odyssey to investigate and write about major sites of violence and suffering. Traumascapes is a powerful meditation on the places she visited: Bali, Berlin, Manhattan, Moscow, Port Arthur, Sarajevo, and the field in Pennsylvania where the fourth plane involved in the attacks of September 11 2001 crashed. In a time when terror and tragedy flourish these locations exhibit a compelling power, drawing pilgrims and tourists from around the world who want to understand the meaning of the traumatic events that unfolded there. In traumascapes, life goes on but the past is still unfinished business.

Transforming Tragedy draws from Dr. Hickling's own experience with a near death trauma and how he survived, through all the trials and tribulations that experience involved. It shares how being a psychologist with over 25 years experience, gave him a unique perspective on how to deal with the trauma. Transforming Tragedy further shares excerpted experiences of real patients to illustrate how transformation can occur. It liberally shares anecdotes found in literature as well as eastern and western philosophy to connect in teachable and meaningful ways. Last, it succinctly summarizes in readable text, the very latest and best of what we know about treating psychological trauma, how and why some people are resilient to trauma, and for some how they go on to show positive growth from these traumatic and painful experiences. This book can take the reader from a personal tragedy to a place where they can have hope and move in a positive direction. It is a self-help book, but not in the traditional way. More like a wise friend and teacher is sharing something very personal and powerful to touch wherever they are in their own pain.

Ovid is today best known for his grand epic, Metamorphoses, and elegiac works like the Ars Amatoria and Heroides. Yet he also wrote a Medea, now unfortunately lost. This play kindled in him a lifelong interest in the genre of tragedy, which informed his later poetry and enabled him to continue his career as a tragedian – if only on the page instead of the stage. This book surveys tragic characters, motifs and modalities in the Heroides and the Metamorphoses. In writing love letters, Ovid's heroines and heroes display their suffering in an epistolary theater. In telling transformation stories, Ovid offers an exploded view of the traditional theater, although his characters never stray too far from their dramatic origins. Both works constitute an intratextual network of tragic stories that anticipate the theatrical excesses of Seneca and reflect the all-encompassing spirit of Roman imperium.

Overcome by years of anxiety and depression on a fruitless journey to find himself, Casey Cease could not imagine his life getting any darker. On July 5th, 1995, at the age of 17, fueled by desperate anger and alcohol, Casey caused a horrific car accident that resulted in the death of his friend. Guilty and hopeless, Casey lay in a mental hospital on suicide watch, sure that his life was over. He would soon learn that God had a plan to rescue and redeem him through Jesus Christ. For over a decade, Casey has been traveling the country candidly sharing his testimony of God s power to save others to a life of hope and peace, even when it seems they will be lost forever. With a pastor s heart, he wrote Tragedy to Truth for the sole purpose of giving you the opportunity to marvel at the limitless love of God toward broken, sinful people. No matter how bad you think you are, you aren t beyond the reach of Christ. The first half of this book, Tragedy, is Casey s testimony, from his birth to the present. He shares details of his life that few others will in an effort to display God s grace in his life. The second half of this book, Truth, shares the hope that Casey has found in many areas of his life through this tragedy. Tragedy is a reality in this lifetime, but through God s grace it can lead to the truth. ENDORSEMENTS: Tragedy To Truth is a MUST read. It is a pure testimony of redemption and healing. Joel Engle Singer / Songwriter, Lead Pastor of The Exchange, Keller, TX Without a doubt the most convincing endorsement I can give to Casey s book comes from seeing the impact Casey s story has had on the students in our church, including my own daughter! Casey has been with us on several occasions, and is without a doubt, our students speaker of choice . Not only is Casey s story incredibly compelling, but also, as a preacher, father, and leader, he lives out the claims his transforming story makes! Victor Flores Pastor of Student Ministries, Bell Shoals Baptist Church, Brandon, FL By far, one of the most compelling redemption stories I have heard in 30 years of ministry. Casey Cease is the real deal, a young man who has been to hell and back with a testimony of God's grace, mercy and forgiveness that even the most cynical among us dare not ignore. Character, depth and genuine spirituality always come to mind when I think of this young pastor and the ministry God has given him over this past decade. How thankful and thrilled I am that his story will finally reach a larger audience. Bob Swan - Director of Student Ministries The Woodlands Methodist Church, The Woodlands, TX Casey is a brother-in-arms and dear friend. I've served in the same church with Casey for several years and had the joy of sending him out as the lead pastor of our first church plant. I love Casey and am very thankful for him. I am also thankful for this book. This is an honest story about the devastating power of sin and the much more remarkable power of grace. Casey's journey is tragic indeed, but truth prevails. There is brokenness here, but beauty too. Casey's story is well worth reading, and worth sharing too. Justin Hyde, Teaching Pastor, Redeemer Church, Brenham, TX Tragedy to Truth is a powerful story of lasting transformation. It does not simply recount the amazing story of Casey s life: it proclaims the remarkable love of his Christ. That is to say, this book is much more than an engaging narration or testimony. It is an invitation. J.R. Dodson, PhD - Assistant Professor of Biblical Studies, Ouachita Baptist University, Arkadelphia, AR

Eighty-seven percent of her seven-year-old body was covered in third-degree burns, coupled with a traumatic heart injury. Doctors calculated a 140 percent chance Heather would die. There were so many questions. Would she live? The emotional quality of this book will captivate your heart.

Her grand adventure turned into a nightmare. After skiing 200 miles along California's John Muir Trail, Jean faces death from a mountaineering accident on Mount Whitney. Broken and bleeding on the highest peak in the continental United States, she vows to realize her greatest dreams if she lives until morning. Her escape from the Sierra Nevada Mountains turns into a five-day ordeal for survival. Jean's recovery is equally daunting. Her journey spans three decades and takes her from the depths of despair and chronic pain to the heights of the Himalayas. When the specter of Mount Whitney continues to shatter her world, Jean befriends Tibetan lamas. Their ancient wisdom guides her on a path beyond her wildest dreams.