Dr. Mary Rose Johnson's one and only son died while serving in the United States Army. He served as Private First Class and a gunner on a tank crew in Freiberg, Germany. On October 20, 1997, he died suddenly in his sleep. Just one month earlier, he had celebrated his twenty-first birthday in Munich, Germany, with other members of his team. One month later, he was no more. It was so shocking and devastating that Mary Rose did not think she could go on living. Her faith along with the love and support of those around her lifted her as they guided her through the valley of the shadow of death.