When his son Aaron died in a motorcycle accident, Andy found that nothing else mattered—nothing. He lived five months on the Appalachian Trail while dealing with his grief. The wilderness is the backdrop for what he found: “God’s world opens up when everything you need is on your back and your only concern is the next white blaze."When Sunday Smiled is a poignant tale of a father’s journey on the Appalachian Trail as he seeks to heal his wounded heart. This unique memoir is not just another adventure tale. It is a transparent view into someone who has experienced deep loss as he tries to make sense of his world. As Andy travels the A.T. he is confronted with how to live with others, how to relate to God, and how to live with himself. Inhis masterful book "When Sunday Smiles" my formerstudent/athlete Andy Davidson shares with us the grief he and his wife, Lori,experienced when their worst fears were realized ... the unnecessary death of theirson. It's an incredible story of going from anger to forgiveness to faith and withnature as their care giver and advocate. Andy is a beacon to us all who have forgotten how to forgive and hiswords are the perfect game plan for spiritual invincibility! --Vince Papali- author and subject of "Invincible" the movie. Wow. What apage turner. If you're looking for adventure, a melted heart, moreunderstanding of those who grieve, and a just-plain-great heart-felt story, When Sunday Smiled isit! This book will impact any and every reader with greater trust in God,comfort regarding any loss, and a sense of empowerment for life's challenges. --KathyCollard Miller,speaker and author of over fifty books including No More Anger: Hope for an Out of Control Mom This book isbrave. Not an action-hero, I-can-take-on-the-world, my-strength-will-save-mekind of brave. It's a real kind of brave. A look-someone-in-the-eye-while-you-tell-them-you-love-thembrave. A what's-left-when-I-got-nothing-left brave. A tear-soaked brave. Thisjourney is full of unique characters and an ever-approachable wry wit and neverbecomes anything other than deeply authentic. Whata walk. I can't recommend it enough. --KaleyRhea, author of Turtles in the Road and Messy to Meaningful: Lessons from the Junk Drawer . If you enjoypure adventure you will enjoy When Sunday Smiled . However, this booktranscends adventure. Not only is it a journey on two feet but a journey of theheart and mind as a father tries to comprehend the tragic loss of a son. Wherewas God when my son died? That answer was revealed to Andy as he neared the endof his Appalachian Trail hike. --Paul Stutzman,author, Hiking Through. In his compelling memoir, psychologist Andy MDavidson wrestles with God on the Appalachian Trail much like Jacob wrestledwith God by the Jordan River. Like Jacob, Davidson's "limp" serves as aholy reminder: "ForI have seen God face to face, and yet my life has been delivered (Genesis32:30)." I highly recommend When Sunday Smiled. -- Clarice G. James, author of Party of One, Manhattan Grace, and Double header . His book,written in vivid, expressive narrative has intrigue, adventure, innersearching, discovery and the revelation of God's faithfulness. When Sunday Smiled isa book that will speak to many hearts and propel its readers toward a betterand more peace-filled tomorrow. --Janet K Johnson, author of Grief, the Unwanted Journey , pastor, mentor in spiritual formation Akin to Cheryl Strayed's Wild ,coupling a grueling trek and devastating grief, Davidson's account takes a forkin the road, as he is not grieving the death of a parent, he is grieving theunexpected death of his beloved son, Aaron. This Gold Star mom resonated withthe grief and despair of the unexpected death of a son. --Marilyn Weisenburg,author, Empty Branch, A Memoir: Finding Hope Through Lament. Since PeterJenkins invited a nation into his A Walk Across America in 1979, adventure-loving readers have waited for another storyteller who couldguide us into the heart of our country and culture. Andy Davidson's book When Sunday Smiled does just that as he sharesglimpses of beauty from the Appalachian Trail and introduces us to the colorfulcast of characters he encounters along the way. But Davidson takes us on aricher, more profound journey than one defined solely by location and people. --Holland L. Webb, content writer and editor, co-host, "TheAfterword Podcast" "The book wrote itself." A cliché heard all to often. How else would it be a cliché? When Sunday Smiled rose from my daily trail notes during my five month odyssey. "You should write a book" I heard from friends. I listened. While getting reacquainted with the real world, I sat down for four hours, four days and week and wrote my first manuscript in two months. I thought I was done. So I sent my "perfect" work to ten agents, then fifty, then one hundred, then I lost count. After three, no four editors, my work was picked up by E