title: Friday's Rain: revealing what grief washes away
author:  Brooke Mardell 
description: It's like a conversation with your best friend, where you don't have to explain everything because they already know how you feel. - Sarah S. This study allowed me to touch sorrow and learn that it's a gift, a grace - to hurt, to heal, and to hold hope in our faithful God. - Freida H. Prepare to be challenged, encouraged, inspired and assured of how great God is. Do yourself a favor, step into the discomfort, and embrace Friday's Rain. - Hannah H. When I started this Study, I thought I was looking for new answers to my pain. Turns out I was looking for new questions ... - Cheryl W. Brooke's fresh, honest, original approach appealed to our entire group, aged 20-69. We couldn't get through the chapters fast enough! - Judie S. My husband and I did the series together and it was very healing. I'm starting to see glimpses of light and small, weary bits of hope beyond my loss. - Sam R.
zlib_text: **Alone in the Woods**
  
   **Charly Cox**
  
  ![](Images/image00187.jpeg)
  
  _This one’s for you, Melissa Naatz, for all the reasons. That includes, of
  course, but is not limited to, keeping me sane – or sometimes going nuts with
  me – and making me laugh while you do it._
  
   _And:_
  
   _For all the readers out there who welcomed Alyssa Wyatt, along with her
  family – both work and home – into their lives; I’ve loved having you along on
  this journey._
  
   **Chapter One**
  
   **Thursday, October 3**
  
  Addis Penn Kensington pounded on her mother’s chest in a vain and misguided
  attempt to get her to breathe. Misguided because it was obvious from the
  bullet hole in her mother’s forehead that chest compressions would get her
  nowhere. Still, she continued beating despite the vacant eyes staring up at
  the ceiling tiles as if her mother had been counting them, or more likely,
  wondering who she should scream at for the grime that coated the paint.
  
  It was only when a low, keening wail coming from across the roo