A Promise Kept: The Story of One Widowed Bride's Journey through Grief

This is the true story of Elise Crawford and the murder of Mark McLaughlin. Thanksgiving Day 1998 changed Elise's life forever. Crawford pens her story hoping to assist others grieving. Crawford utilizes photographs, newspaper clippings, and interviews with witnesses to tell her story. On November 27, 1998 Seattle Metro bus operator, Mark McLaughlin was murdered by a transit rider. McLaughlin grappled with the man for the gun. The bus and its 32 passengers went off the Aurora Bridge and landed onto of an apartment complex. Crawford shares the rescue effort and the search for Mark. Crawford successful connects the reader with Mark. He was a large man and a caring individual. He loved people and was always ready to help them. Elise describes their courtship. She and her children rode his bus each day. They were friends first and later husband and wife. For over 10 years Mark was Elise's most ardent supporter. With him at her side she could accomplish anything. Crawford takes the reader with her as she grieved. She refuses to accept his death. Her health languished. She lived in despair. Only after she accepted his death could she continue her life. Elise Crawford is a talented author. She is a remarkable woman and her story is inspiring. Keep the tissues close at hand. I expect we will see more from this author.

This book is sweet, depressing, frustrating, and inspiring all at the same time. I feel like my problems are so utterly pathetic and trivial compared to what Elise Crawford went through. One word I'd use to describe this book is 'real'. I guess I expected heartbreak and anguish like a good Hollywood drama/chickflick, or a Nicholas Sparks novel - and it does have that, but is also interjected with things that jerk you back to reality and make you realise that a real person had to go t...more This book is sweet, depressing, frustrating, and inspiring all at the same time. I feel like my problems are so utterly pathetic and trivial compared to what Elise Crawford went through. One word I'd use to describe this book is 'real'. I guess I expected heartbreak and anguish like a good Hollywood drama/chickflick, or a Nicholas Sparks novel - and it does have that, but is also interjected with things that jerk you back to reality and make you realise that a real person had to go through all this. It's not a sugarcoated sobstory that Hollywood shows you, there is no easy resolution to all the conflict going on. I like the chronology of this book - it's not entirely linear. It starts with the day of Mark's death, then recounts their happy short life together, then moves forward to the morning after and the next 10 years of Elise Crawford's life. I like how the nonlinear chronology is emotionally jarring - one chapter is immensely depressing, whilst the next is filled with hope and happiness. I mentioned that this book is frustrating - not because of the writing or anything, but because of how truly horrible people were in the wake of Mark's death, namely his own family. I can't believe that they would be so insensitive in taking back all of Mark's possessions and evicting Elise. And to add insult to injury, she was repeatedly plagued by financial problems and wasnt entitled to welfare payments or any donations made after the tragedy. I really don't know how she managed to get through it all, god knows I would have given up early on, based solely on the financial troubles she went through. Her problems are real, there's no deus ex machina in sight, and there's not really any reassurance that there'll be a happy ending. That being said, I love how it does happen, but in the most unsuspecting way. She's still plagued by Mark's death, but able to move on. Surprisingly enough, the part of this book that took the most toll on me was the short story at the end, based on their cat named Spirit. I don't want to spoil it, but it truly made me weep. Overall, I really loved this book, and was able to relate to Elise although I havent yet suffered any loss. It's not sugarcoated at all, and really shows how horrible and insensitive the world can be. I can only hope that I'd be as strong as Elise when going through something like this <3

A Promise Kept by Elise Crawford begins with a chapter called Ground Zero. Crawford uses vivid description, peppered with actual news clips, photos, and details from witnesses, emergency crews and survivors to tell the story of Seattle Metro bus operator, Mark McLaughlin, who was shot and killed by a transit rider on November 27, 1998. Crawford details how Mark wrestled the man for control and how the 72 foot bus, along with 32 passengers, went off the Aurora Bridge and landed on an apartment complex. We are instantly captivated with the rescue effort and search for Mark, missing from the crash scene. Slowly, the police realize that the crash isn't a terrible accident but is actually a crime scene as survivors tell of several gunshots just before the bus went off the bridge. A friend calls Elise at work and asks, "What route was Mark driving today?" As the story unravels in the media, Elise goes home to wait for Mark's call to say he's okay--a call she knows will never come. Next we learn about Mark the person and how he was large of size and of heart. He cared about people, loved animals and wanted to make everyone happy. He had numerous quirks that entertained some and irritated others. Elise and her two young children rode his bus each day. The two quickly became friends, but this isn't a tale of love of first sight. Elise first sees Mark as only a friend, as he is much older and also married. Soon the pair cannot ignore their feelings for each other. A now single Mark and Elise become closer each day and fall in love. Mark sees Elise's unlimited potential. With Mark's support, Elise feels that anything is possible. We see how Mark's larger than life personality touched the lives of so many when his memorial is held at a sports arena. Police and firefighters consider him a hero. Thousands of transit operators from across North America come to pay their respects. However, Elise is unable to acknowledge any of it and holds fast to her belief that Mark will soon come home. Trapped in denial, offers of condolences only served to taunt her. From the day of the tragedy and for several years Elise would exist only for her children. Her anguish cripples her and health problems mount. Although lost in a fog of despair, and despite the job losses, money shortages and constant moving, a dream to write a book about her experience will not go away. She knows she must write this book, but is unable to begin. Only when she is able to accept Mark's death can she finally put pen to paper and start a book that would rescue her soul and perhaps help others also suffering with the torturous ache of grief. This is Elise Crawford's first book; however, she writes with the skill of a seasoned author. Her powerful description and willingness to show her own mistakes, weaknesses and fears make this a wonderfully inspiring read. The strength needed to write her memoir, revisiting these painful memories, is remarkable. Impossible to put down or forget, I highly

Hats off to Elise Crawford, whose life has been anything but easy. She takes us through the unimaginable pain of losing the man she loves all too soon, and her unwillingness to accept for many years the fact that he is gone forever. Crawford endures through many obstacles, because she must. She has two children to raise. Somehow this remarkably strong woman finds her faith and eventually accepts what she must. Writing this book has given her the strength to begin living life fully again, and loving another without fear. I congratulate her for literally pouring her soul onto paper for those who are dealing with grief to read. They, too, can rise above it.

Not since I read Levine's "Unattended Sorrow" or Kübler-Ross' "On Grief and Grieving" have I found such a personal and powerful journey of learning how to move through and then move on. An absolutely wonderful book.