A Promise Kept by Elise Crawford is a Story of Loss, Love and of Grief

A Promise Kept by Elise Crawford begins with achapter called Ground Zero. Crawford uses vivid description, pepperedwith actual news clips, photos, and details from witnesses, emergencycrews and survivors to tell the story of Seattle Metro bus operator,Mark McLaughlin, who was shot and killed by a transit rider on November27, 1998. Crawford details how Mark wrestled the man for control andhow the 72 foot bus, along with 32 passengers, went off the AuroraBridge and landed on an apartment complex. We are instantlycaptivated with the rescue effort and search for Mark, missing from thecrash scene. Slowly, the police realize that the crash isn't a terribleaccident but is actually a crime scene as survivors tell of severalgunshots just before the bus went off the bridge. A friend calls Eliseat work and asks, "What route was Mark driving today?" As the storyunravels in the media, Elise goes home to wait for Mark's call to sayhe's okay-a call she knows will never come. Next we learn aboutMark the person and how he was large of size and of heart. He caredabout people, loved animals and wanted to make everyone happy. He hadnumerous quirks that entertained some and irritated others. Elise andher two young children rode his bus each day. The two quickly becamefriends, but this isn't a tale of love of first sight. Elise first seesMark as only a friend, as he is much older and also married. Soon thepair cannot ignore their feelings for each other. A now single Mark andElise become closer each day and fall in love. Mark sees Elise'sunlimited potential. With Mark's support, Elise feels that anything ispossible. We see how Mark's larger than life personality touchedthe lives of so many when his memorial is held at a sports arena.Police and firefighters consider him a hero. Thousands of transitoperators from across North America come to pay their respects.However, Elise is unable to acknowledge any of it and holds fast to herbelief that Mark will soon come home. Trapped in denial, offers ofcondolences only served to taunt her. For years Elise would existonly for her children. Her anguish cripples her and health problemsmount. Although lost in a fog of despair, and despite the job losses,money shortages and constant moving, a dream to write a book about herexperience will not go away. She knows she must write this book, but isunable to begin. Only when she is able to accept Mark's death can shefinally put pen to paper and start a book that would rescue her souland perhaps help others also suffering with the torturous ache of grief. Thisis Elise Crawford's first book; however, she writes with the skill of aseasoned author. Her powerful description and willingness to show herown mistakes, weaknesses and fears make this a wonderfully inspiringread. The strength needed to write her story, reliving each painfulmoment, is remarkable. Difficult to put down or forget, I highlyrecommend A Promise Kept. This is a must-read for those struggling withthe loss of a loved one. This reviewer suggests you keep a box oftissue on hand as you read. A Promise Kept 204 pages 978-1441510389 Xlibris April 2009 reviewed by William Potter

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