Some books touch your heart. Others grip it so tightly you feel like you’re living inside their pages. Severed Sacredness is the second kind. This is Lisa Boone’s raw, heart-wrenching, and faith-driven account of her daughter Jessie’s near-fatal skiing accident and the long, grueling journey through survival and recovery. Told through the lens of a mother’s unshakable love and relentless determination, the book walks us through Jessie’s trauma, the desperate prayers, the countless medical interventions, and the hope that stubbornly refused to die. Lisa lays bare the terror, the grief, the anger, and the tiny glimmers of grace that kept her moving forward. It’s not just a medical journey; it’s a spiritual one, an emotional one, and a testament to the power of faith and community.

Lisa’s writing is something special. It’s not polished in a way that feels distant—it’s raw, honest, and deeply personal. As a mom myself, I felt her pain in my bones. The moment she gets that phone call—“Mom, there’s been an accident. It’s Jessie. She’s hurt. She’s hurt real bad.”—it’s every mother’s nightmare coming to life. The way she describes the chaotic rush to get to her daughter, the helplessness of watching Jessie’s broken body in the ICU, and the sheer will it took to keep breathing through it all—it’s gut-wrenching. Lisa lets us sit in the darkest moments with her, but she also leads us toward the light, reminding us that even in the worst pain, there is hope.

One of the most powerful themes in the book is Lisa’s unwavering advocacy for Jessie. There’s a moment when a young neurosurgeon insists on an emergency craniectomy, and Lisa and her husband are forced to make a life-or-death decision within minutes. The older doctor had dismissed the nurse’s concerns, but this new doctor listened, pushed forward, and ultimately saved Jessie’s life. Lisa shows what it means to be a mother in the trenches, fighting for her child when no one else seems to see the full picture. It made me think about how important it is to trust our instincts when it comes to our kids.

Another part of the book that really stayed with me was the recurring imagery of trees. Lisa ties Jessie’s accident to the tree she hit, then expands on that symbolism throughout the book. Each tree marking a stage in Jessie’s recovery and Lisa’s own transformation. I loved this thread of nature woven into the story, the idea that life, even when it’s cut down to a stump, can grow back in unexpected ways. It reminded me that healing isn’t always linear. Sometimes it looks like a broken branch growing in a new direction, and that’s okay.

Severed Sacredness is a book about hope, faith, and resilience. It’s for any parent who has ever prayed over their child’s hospital bed, for anyone who has walked through trauma and wondered if they’d ever come out on the other side. It’s a heavy read, no doubt. There were parts that made me cry, parts that made me angry, and parts that filled me with gratitude for the strength of a mother’s love. If you’ve ever faced an impossible situation and needed a reminder that miracles do happen, this book is for you.

Severed Sacredness: The Miraculous Journey of Jessie Boone by Lisa Boone is a deeply moving memoir about trauma, faith, and resilience. When Lisa’s fifteen-year-old daughter, Jessie, suffers a traumatic brain injury in a skiing accident, life as she knew it changes forever. We follow the story as she's tossed into a world of medical uncertainty, rehabilitation, and all the emotional problems that come with health and family struggles. Lisa shares the raw, heartbreaking, and ultimately inspiring journey of nearly losing and fighting to save her child. Through the strength of faith, the support of a loving community, and sheer perseverance, she discovers hope even in the darkest moments. The book blends the harsh realities of medical trauma with the emotional depth of a family’s struggle, creating a story that is as informative as it is profoundly uplifting.

Lisa Boone’s storytelling is unflinchingly honest, allowing readers to experience every moment of devastation, fear, and triumph alongside her. Her ability to articulate the full spectrum of emotions—from grief and frustration to gratitude and grace—makes this memoir not just a personal testimony but a source of comfort and guidance for anyone navigating trauma or loss. What struck me most was her ability to find moments of light amid the pain, but she was also totally honest about that pain and never sugar-coated or made less of it. The book also provides a nuanced look at the healthcare system, highlighting both the lifesaving work of medical professionals and the crucial role of patient advocacy. Beyond the personal story, the memoir also explores the power of community and the big impact collective care can have in times of crisis, whether that comes from your religious groups, family, or friend groups.

Boone’s reflections on how people showed up for her family offer a moving blueprint for supporting others in their most vulnerable moments. Overall, Severed Sacredness is a highly recommended heartbreaking, and inspiring read, offering hope in the power of love to conquer life’s most unimaginable challenges.

Lisa Boone, exhibits remarkable strength and courage in her poignant narrative, Severed Sacredness: The Miraculous Journey of Jessie Boone. Through her vulnerability in sharing this deeply personal story, she not only honors God but also illuminates the profound power of faith and prayer. Consequently, this work serves as a beacon of hope, promising to transform the lives of many who find themselves grappling with similar tragedies.

The eloquence with which Boone writes enhances the emotional depth of her journey, inviting readers to reflect on their own experiences and resilience. Her ability to evoke such a wide range of feelings - from sorrow to joy - creates a powerful reading experience that lingers long after the final words are read. Through the gracefully written prose the importance of trusting in God is emphasized, reminding us that He is a constant presence, even during our most challenging moments. Though times in such a spiritual wilderness can feel isolating, Boone's story reassures us that divine intervention is always within reach, capable of performing miracles that can change our lives in unimaginable ways. The imagery of trees serves as an enlightening metaphor throughout the narrative, offering comfort and guidance in times of uncertainty. In my view, this lovely detail really elevates the overall message in a beautiful way.

I wholeheartedly recommend this book not only to those facing similar hardships but to everyone, as by engaging with Boone's experiences, readers may find themselves better equipped to support others in their struggles, fostering a deeper understanding of compassion and empathy. Ultimately, Severed Sacredness is a powerful invitation to explore the depths of faith and the miraculous possibilities that lie within it.