A memoir that explores the relationship between father/son, religion, parenting, and the suicide of my father Don Thomas Finster.
The funds received from you amazing backers will allow me to publish my book The Reverent Surrender. Remember your donation is only applied if the entire funding goal is reached. therefore, if the goal is not reached in the time allowed all donations are voided. So please help me out on achieving this goal! Spread the word as much as possible. Any help is greatly appreciated!
On March 28 2009 my father took his own life in a quiet wooded area in the San Bernadino Forest near Big Bear, Ca.
The book explores the relationship I had with my father as his only son. My father was a wonderful teacher in life, in his short time here he managed to gear me up for what awaited me on the horizon. He was an amazing man, father, mentor, and member of the human experience. But something inside him did not let him carry on.
My father spent nearly a decade as a Bishop of the LDS faith which complicated his suicide even more emotionally and spritually. As his son I never subscribed to his theology and he was magnificent at blending the two worlds, a rarity in many theological groups. Our lives together really paint a beautiful picture of the father/son experience and the complications that outside forces can have on it.
I would like to share my story with the world and let anyone know that suicide is not the end all be all. I found myself hopeless as my father, the man who should always be there to push me forward, decided to throw in the towel. Through my writing I have realized the immense knowledge and happiness my father left me with to continue on.
Currently I am very close to completion of this work with only little research to complete that really involves gathering and fact checking with a few of my family members that were involved in my fathers early life, then off to the press.
I will be self publishing this book in order to get started. With the goal I have set I will be able to fulfill all rewards and cover the cost of getting the book to the printers. I cannot say that one day I will be atop the best sellers list or listed on Oprah's book club, but there are people out there who have experienced and been through similar events and will benefit from this read.
If anyone would like a sample excerpt I would be more than willing to send you one via email to see if it is something you may be willing to back.
THANK YOU FOR YOUR SUPPORT!!!
FAQ
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I have posted three short excerpts of the book in the update sections. I wanted to allow these to be seen by anyone and get sent out over Kickstarter to the generous backers I have already! See update section if you would like to read a little bit.
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I have recieved a few emails asking this simple question. My fathers religious beliefs were his own and I have always respected them. Belonging to his congregation was a wonderful aspect of my fathers life. The fact that he took his own life seems ironic in a sense due to his many positions in the church. The idea of most theology believing suicide is the ultimate sin, simply made the retrospective a little more complicated. This book in no way is an attack on anyone or anything. This is a celebration of my fathers life, all aspects included and the process of moving on for myself. He was surrounded with many amazing people in his congregation that impacted his life in many positive ways, and I want to thank every indibidual that was in his life.
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May 11, 2012 -
Jun 20, 2012
(40 days)
- First created · 2 backed
- James Finster 156 friends
Pledge $10 or more
4 backers
Pledge of $10 will get limited edition The Reverent Surrender bookmark. I am in the process of having these made in the very near future and will ship them out ASAP! The first running will be different from any I produce after the first batch.
Estimated delivery: Sep 2012Pledge $25 or more
9 backers
Pledge of $25 dollars will get your name into the Thank You section of the book. After all I wouldn't be able to complete this project without backers!
Estimated delivery: Jan 2013Pledge $50 or more
4 backers
Pledges of $50 dollars will get you a limited edition bookmark and a hand written thank you note from the author, along with being mentioned in the books Thank You Section.
Estimated delivery: Sep 2012Pledge $75 or more
8 backers
Hand signed by author paperback edition of the book shipped to you. Also being mentioned in the Thank You section.
Estimated delivery: Jan 2013Pledge $100 or more
12 backers
Hand signed with personal note by author paperback edition copy of book. Also being mentioned in the Thank You section of book.
Estimated delivery: Jan 2013Pledge $200 or more
4 backers
I will write a short children's story for your child in word format. I do not have the funds to publish in proper format at this time, but love to write for my girls and would love to do a short that is personalized for your child.
Estimated delivery: Nov 2012
