The narrative follows a heart-breaking story of Joe Biden. Biden’s son, Beau, had fought and lost his battle with brain cancer. The book is a moving memoir that chronicles the incredible personal journey of Joe Biden. Rife with grief, hope, and healing, it discusses in detail one of the most difficult and challenging years of the former Vice President of the United States. Biden was strong enough to be shouldering the massive responsibilities of the vice presidency as well as carrying the weight of the impending death of his beloved son.
One emotional scene is when Biden is having a conversation with his ailing son. He discovers his son had started to make peace with his impending death and he wanted his father to make a promise that he was going to be all right despite what was to happen. Biden had to assure his son that he would be okay. Following his son’s death, the promise he had made to his son became a voice in his head. That voice would comfort, guide, and keep Biden company during the darkest times of grief as well as desperate moments that ensued after Beau’s death.
Beau’s dying plea phrase ‘Promise me Dad’ became a beacon of hope that guided Biden during the grieving process as well as in the healing. That year bought real triumph and accomplishment for Biden and also heart wrenching pain. During the hard times, Biden was able to lean on the strength of his long deep bonds with his family, his faith, and deepening friendship with Barack Obama. The book is a story of how family and friendships sustain us and how hope, purpose, and action can guide us through the pain of personal loss into the light of a new future.
