The Long Way Home by Shauna Joas
(Autobiography/ Memoir)
There are some books that make us stop and count our blessings – as life can change in an instant. The Long Way Home reminds us of this reality. The book shows how a routine bike ride home from work can turn an entire family’s life upside down. But, amidst the adversity and pain, hope is never lost. You’ll be blown away by Shauna Joas’ memoir and her resilience despite facing the most frightening circumstances.
The book recounts the moment that changed the Joas family’s life. Bryan Joas was an active forty-five year old man with a wife (Shauna) and two children. Bryan has been involved with biking and racing for his entire adult life. On March 8th, 2016, Bryan rode his bike to work – with the intention of taking the long way home for extra training.
About twenty-six miles into his ride, he was struck from behind by a vehicle and left alone – severely injured and helpless. After he was found by some people passing by, he was airlifted to the Level 1 Trauma Center at North Memorial Hospital in Minnesota. A day that began as routine ended up being the beginning of a long, difficult journey for Bryan, Shauna, and their children. Their experience goes to show that you need to appreciate every moment – and never take anything for granted – for everything can change in the blink of an eye.
Throughout the book, Shauna takes you through the accident and the events that occurred during the recovery process. She details Bryan’s journey – and also how she survived and found strength during this major upheaval in her family’s life. You can see their resilience, courage, and perseverance. The Long Way Home is a survival story filled with meaning that will make you stop and reflect on your own life.
As the Joas family faces intense darkness, they find light and hope. The book moved me and lifted my spirits – and helped me refocus my perspective to appreciate the little things in life. In this powerful story, you see that families are strong enough to overcome anything together. The Long Way Home is a truly uplifting book to read, and one you’ll never forget.
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