Love Beyond

In this powerful and intimate memoir, a mother chronicles her son's battle with depression, offering unprecedented insight into the complex world of mental illness through their dual perspectives. When Josh—a talented soccer goalkeeper with a bright future—begins withdrawing from the activities and people he once loved, his mother Maria notices subtle changes that evolve into concerning patterns. What follows is a deeply personal account of one family's journey through the labyrinth of mental health care, revealing both its possibilities and its limitations. Through alternating voices, readers experience the raw emotions of both a mother desperately trying to protect her child and a young man struggling to articulate the overwhelming darkness within him. This unique narrative structure provides rare insight into both sides of depression—those suffering from it and those watching someone they love disappear into it. With unflinching honesty, Maria recounts the warning signs she recognized and those she missed, the well-intentioned but sometimes ineffective interventions, and the heart-wrenching reality that even the most vigilant parental love cannot always prevent tragedy. Her candid retelling of emergency room visits, psychiatric evaluations, and late-night fears illuminates the often-hidden experience of families affected by mental illness. Far more than a memoir of loss, this book serves as a crucial resource for understanding depression's early signs and the importance of meaningful intervention. Through her family's story, Maria challenges readers to break the silence surrounding mental health and offers compassionate guidance for those supporting loved ones through similar struggles. For parents, educators, mental health professionals, and anyone touched by depression, Love Beyond provides both validation and valuable perspective. It stands as a testimony to a mother's enduring love, a young man's courageous battle, and the critical importance of bringing depression into the light through open, honest conversation. Written with grace, empathy, and purpose, this book transforms personal tragedy into a powerful call to action that could save lives.

DAWN LOHR lives in Charleston, South Carolina with her husband and daughter. She is a devoted mother of four grown children and a graduate of Loyola University in Maryland, where she earned a degree in Marketing. With a passion for entrepreneurial ventures, she has achieved success in her home-based business while raising her family. Her most profound journey has been her transition into speaking and authorship, following the tragic loss of her son Jon to suicide in 2023. As a dynamic speaker, Dawn shares her personal journey through mental health challenges and grief. Through her unimaginable loss, Dawn offers hope and healing to others, her connection with Jon's spirit serving as a reminder of the eternal bonds we share with loved ones.