A British father of three, whose wife was brutally murdered in the Philippines eight years ago, has written a book about how his family survived and even thrived after the tragedy. In "The Regenerate Leap", Stuart Green, a marine biologist by trade, shares his journey towards healing and redemption.
For Green, the traditional notion of grief and resilience did not apply to his situation. After being shot multiple times in their car, Green's wife Mia Mascariñas-Green and their three children miraculously escaped with minimal injuries. The trauma, however, was immense. Green recounts how he struggled to come to terms with the loss of his partner and the transformation it brought upon his family.
The turning point came when Green realized that his family was carrying around a collective burden of intergenerational trauma. He began to read books on grief and trauma but grew frustrated with the emphasis on "inner strength". Instead, he discovered the concept of regeneration – transforming pain into purpose. This idea became the core of his book.
Green's writing process was collaborative with his eldest daughter, Grace Sr., who is now 18. Together, they edited the stories to ensure that the book would be accessible to young people affected by trauma. The result is a powerful narrative about finding meaning in adversity and rising above the ashes like a phoenix from the flames.
The central metaphor of Green's book is that of a pine cone releasing its seeds under intense heat. He argues that crises can "crack us open" to reveal dormant strengths. By acknowledging loss and using it as a catalyst for growth, we can emerge stronger and more purposeful.
For Green, writing has been a therapeutic experience. By flipping the narrative from victim to author, he has learned to take control of his story and find meaning in the midst of tragedy. His book is not just about him but also about his family's journey towards healing and redemption.
As "The Regenerate Leap" prepares for publication, Green acknowledges that it will draw attention to their story and potentially lead to more probing questions on the school run. However, he is ready for this. By sharing his narrative, he hopes to challenge himself and others to confront the reality of trauma head-on and find a way forward.
"The Regenerate Leap" will be published on January 28th.
For Green, the traditional notion of grief and resilience did not apply to his situation. After being shot multiple times in their car, Green's wife Mia Mascariñas-Green and their three children miraculously escaped with minimal injuries. The trauma, however, was immense. Green recounts how he struggled to come to terms with the loss of his partner and the transformation it brought upon his family.
The turning point came when Green realized that his family was carrying around a collective burden of intergenerational trauma. He began to read books on grief and trauma but grew frustrated with the emphasis on "inner strength". Instead, he discovered the concept of regeneration – transforming pain into purpose. This idea became the core of his book.
Green's writing process was collaborative with his eldest daughter, Grace Sr., who is now 18. Together, they edited the stories to ensure that the book would be accessible to young people affected by trauma. The result is a powerful narrative about finding meaning in adversity and rising above the ashes like a phoenix from the flames.
The central metaphor of Green's book is that of a pine cone releasing its seeds under intense heat. He argues that crises can "crack us open" to reveal dormant strengths. By acknowledging loss and using it as a catalyst for growth, we can emerge stronger and more purposeful.
For Green, writing has been a therapeutic experience. By flipping the narrative from victim to author, he has learned to take control of his story and find meaning in the midst of tragedy. His book is not just about him but also about his family's journey towards healing and redemption.
As "The Regenerate Leap" prepares for publication, Green acknowledges that it will draw attention to their story and potentially lead to more probing questions on the school run. However, he is ready for this. By sharing his narrative, he hopes to challenge himself and others to confront the reality of trauma head-on and find a way forward.
"The Regenerate Leap" will be published on January 28th.