Title: Kevin’s Last Walk (A Father’s Final Journey With His Son)
Author: Barry Adkins
Binding: Paperback
Genre: Non-fiction, Adult, YA
Publisher: KLW Publishing, LLC
Pages: 211
Publication Date: 2011
From my TBR
I first heard of Kevin’s Last Walk when Denise Cassino, whom I follow on Twitter posted parts of the story and I was so moved by what I read. I then asked my cousin in the US, Yvonne to send me a copy of the book which she did. I’m so grateful to Denise and Yvonne.
Imagine losing your son the very day he moves out of home to be with his friends after completing High school. It is not something that any parent would wish for himself and certainly that was the last thing that Barry Adkins wished for himself. A month earlier, Kevin, 18 years, was in high spirit. He had just bought his first vehicle a Ford Ranger, and the day that he moved, the truck carried his worldly possessions to the new home he was to share with his friends. The day that was supposed to mark the beginning of Kevin’s adult life turned out to be his last. He died of alcohol poisoning at the party he friends organised for him.
In 2007, Kevin’s father, Barry set out on an epic one thousand four hundred (1400) mile journey, and walked from Arizona to Montana with his son’s ashes in his backpack because he was determined that something good would come out of his son’s death.
“When you lose a child the most that you can hope for is that something very good would come from it that is precisely what I plan to spend the rest of my life doing.” (Barry Adkins)
Kevin’s Last Walk is the harrowing and poignant journal narrative of Barry’s heroic and selfless effort to keep his son’s memory alive and to ensure that thousands of other youths would not end up like his son did. Throughout the journey from Arizona to Montana Barry gave talks and did presentations at schools and churches and other facilities along the way, on the dangers of binge drinking, impacting on students in a most powerful and unforgettable way. Barry shared his story because he cared about the youth and their decisions and he cared enough to want to reach out to parents as well to make them prevent the tragedy that happened to him.
The narrative is simple, straightforward and short with the unfolding events of the whole journey, including the inspirational talks and presentations recorded almost daily in a journal or diary form. The pathos felt in the narrative is very much understated; readers are not subjected to any sad lengthy tale of the circumstances surrounding Kevin’s death. That event is mentioned only as a background to the story to let readers know that Kevin had died and why. The main plot is all about the remarkable journey from Arizona to Montana.
The pervasive humour that runs throughout the novel is meant to put readers at ease and make them enjoy the otherwise arduous and rugged journey and as I read along, it was so obvious to see why Barry laughs at himself; he had to live above the tragedy and make something good come out of it. This is a mantra that he repeats at the end of each chapter.
I thoroughly enjoyed Kevin’s Last Walk and felt so saddened at the same time. And that set me thinking. As parents, do we do enough for our children in terms of inculcating the right values in them to cushion them against the future? What is the guarantee that our kids will turn out the way we want them to, with the right choices?
A woman at my church recently lost her only son who was doing his Masters programme, in a lorry accident. The young man and his friends were from the disco and the one who was driving had taken in alcohol. Her devastation was total and yet some members insinuated that she had not brought up her son in a way that befitted Christian principles. I could not agree less. You do your best for your children, bringing them up with and on the right values but in the end the choices they make when they reach adulthood are beyond you as a parent. You can only hope for the best and in a worst situation like Barry’s hope that something good would come out of that worst situation. In that something good is the opportunity and ability to forgive yourself.
I wholeheartedly recommend Kevin’s Last Walk (A Father’s Final Journey With His Son) as a must-read to all parents and young adults as well
Reading Pleasure 
As a parent we do the best we can with what we have in the moment. If we Di just this, we can know we have them our all.
You are right, Sheri. We give them our all, but we cannot guarantee the rest. Thank you 🙂
Parenting is the hardest job of all, we can only do our best. The book sounds excellent and your review is really good 🙂
Thank you, Gilly. 🙂
Oh, so sad, but I am so glad he did something meaningful in the memory of his son.
Yes. A great walk 🙂
What a touching story; I will definitely be checking this out. Thanks for the recommendation.
You are very welcome, Letizia. 🙂
Beautifully written review and what a wonderful cause and gift from a father to the world … It will take a bit of effort for me to read this important book but I am a mother and I know mothers, fathers and others who have suffered this unimaginable loss and perhaps if I line up a happier read after this one, I won’t wallow in sadness for too long.
Oh Parmis, thanks a million for commenting. Do read this if you have time. It is a fun read, with so little sadness.
My friend! I started the DH Lawrence “Lady Chatterley’s Lover” and I was so sad that I could not get into the story but when I got to chapter 5, thats when it gets good (at least for me)!!! Now it’s great and has a lot of mind psych factors that has me really interested now. I shall keep you posted.
Can’t wait to hear from you Marie. I am very curious to know details. 🙂
Very sad. It sounds like young adults should read this so that they’ll realize some of the dangers ahead. It’s true that parents can’t control everything, but maybe this book will help them talk about these things with their kids. The walking part sounds fascinating. I hope it helped him cope with the loss of his son.
I am sure the walking helped him in more ways, Sheila. Thank you for your wonderful contribution 🙂
This a a great book review. Thanks.
You are welcome, Alice. Thanks to you too for the kind comment 🙂
Some things happen in life that we cannot explain, this was a classical example!
You are right Seyi. Sometimes, all we can do is to only hope and pray. 🙂 Thank you for commenting 🙂
This is indeed a sad story for that father and others who have experienced similar situations. For those who criticize, until sometime like that happens to them they don’t truly understand that as a parent you can only do so much and no more. Children are not perfect neither are adults!
Truer words, Marva. Many thanks 🙂
It does sound like a good book. You are right we do the best we can raising our children. When they grow up they make their own decisions. But it still hurts. Sorry for they lady in your church. It is sad when “Christian” people judge when the word tells them not to.
As for some of us Christians, the less said the better. You know anytime I see the lady in church I can’t help but marvel at the peace and joy on her face. She always greets with a beautiful smile 🙂
I enjoyed your review. There no guarantees in life, not when it comes to ourselves and not when it comes to our children. As Sheri said, we do the best we can, isn’t that the purpose of life?
That is the whole purpose of life, Nana. Thanks for the comments. 🙂
I will check this book out soon! Cant wait!
You won’t be disappointed, Denabo. 🙂
interesting story!
Thank you, Trisha
What a remarkable story… Also when people accuse parents of not doing their job, they forget that God does call his children home. We are parents first and not the ones who decide life and death… beautiful story and review. Reminds me of the story of the Camino de Santiago movie I watched a couple of years ago.
Eliz
Thank you so much for your wonderful comments, Elizabeth. 🙂 Indeed, we can ony do so much as parents. The rest is in God’s hands. And so we pray everyday. 🙂
Greetings,
Thank you for writing this review! I think writing a book was more work than walking 1400 miles. 🙂
Sorry to hear about the lady at your church. My dad used to say “never judge a man until you’ve walked a mile in his moccasins”
Glad you enjoyed the humor. I’ve been told that a book that makes you laugh and cry is a good book.
Something very good will come from this…
Oh Barry, I am so glad you stopped by to comment. It is a great book that you wrote, for all posterity. And I must say that after reading it, I’ve developed the habit of having pep talks with my oldest boy more often on various subjects including peer pressure. Thank you, Barry.
Blessings and hugs to you 🙂
Keep up the good work! Act as if your child’s life depends on it, because it does.
Do you mind if I post your review on my website?
Oh, Barry, I’m honoured. Please,feel free to post the review on your blog. I don’t have any objections. Stay blessed 🙂
Thank you so much for your wonderful review of this book …as Barry’s Mother in law, I can tell you he is an amazing man! We are so proud of him & our daughter for the way he strives to make something good come from this tragedy & she is right there by his side all the way ! What a Godly couple who try to help others out of their own grief & disappoinment . Kevin was a wonderful young man & we all MISS him greatly but we are all trusting the Lord that something good will come from this . Thanks again & The Lord bless you for your kindness!
You are very welcome, Pauline. Indeed, I was touched by the love between Barry and Beverly and the wonderful support she gave him throughout the journey. Something good did come out of it all Pauline, and it still continues to do so. Kevin did not die in vain 🙂 I do so appreciate your coming by and the lovely contribution. God bless you 🙂
Kevin’s last walk is both inspirational and thought-provoking. It’s even more
“special” when you KNOW the author!! Something good IS coming out of this – I wish there could be a movie made about it to show to all the high school kids.
Love: Aunt Crete
Aunt Crete, thank you so much for coming by. Indeed, I am so elated and humbled to see Barry’s family here. 🙂 A movie will not be a bad idea at all; maybe you guys should give it a shot. Something good will definitely come out of this 🙂 Blessings and hugs to you.