ZOMBIE

The Cranberries’ song “Zombie” has always been a favorite of mine. It feels like raw emotion seeping through the lyrics, bubbling just beneath the surface of the melody. As I wrote the chapters exploring Mac's grief, I wanted her to feel like a zombie—dead inside, yet still going through the motions of life. The lyrics "But you see, it's not me, it's not my family" capture the denial that often comes with grieving. It's hard to imagine terrible things happening in your own life; terrible things happen to other people.

Maybe our human survival instincts protect us from that level of anxiety. But what's worse is when we witness the suffering of those "other people" and turn a blind eye—because it's not our family. Chapter 6 is about Michelle stepping up for Mac, standing by her during this difficult time. Choosing to carry the burden of someone who isn’t family, choosing not to stay silent—the world could use more Michelles.

In Chapter 7, when Mac visits Meredith’s, we catch a glimpse of her beginning to emerge from that zombie-like state—thanks to the power of music. I truly believe music is a great healer, and that God (or Spirit, or a Guardian Angel) sometimes plays us the exact song we need to hear. Small miracles like that can pierce the numbness—like chicken soup for the soul.

It’s easy to go through life in a bubble, just going through the motions like a zombie. But your kind words or actions could have a profound impact on someone else. You might just be their small miracle.