Sideshow: Living with Loss and Moving Forward with Faith

4.8 4.8 out of 5 stars | 150 ratings

Price: 16.53

Last update: 02-13-2025


About this item

How do you live with the pain of watching someone you love suffer from addiction? How do you cope with the grief of losing them especially when your job is to make people laugh every day?

Comedian Rickey Smiley has dealt with these immensely difficult questions for years—first with his father, then with his son. Both battled drug addictions. Both died from overdoses. Both left Rickey weary and wounded.

Far from healed, Rickey has learned how to find moments of peace. He's practicing how to hold the good with the grief, the past gifts with the present heartache, the hope with the hurt. It's the "sideshow" he's living. It's anything but a smooth path, but he's on it, and he's moving forward. And he invites you to come with him.

Join a fellow hurting soul as he sits with his trauma, leans into therapy, and relies heavily on his faith and Scripture, which give him solace and strength. Rickey and his story will help you:

  • Feel seen and know you are not alone
  • Process your pain and manage weariness and grief
  • Invite God's strength into your weakness
  • Find a way forward and move toward peace

Our pain may take hold of us in ways that are crippling, out of nowhere, and impossible to control. But there is One who can hold us tighter and keep us grounded, who gives the gift of peace that goes beyond understanding and guides us through each day.


Top reviews from the United States

  • Higher
    5.0 out of 5 stars The whisper! This review might post twice. I edited. Not sure I hit submit the first time.
    Reviewed in the United States on December 7, 2024
    I Enjoyed reading this book. The whisper caught my attention among other things that are written in this book. In 2023 Mr. Smiley‘s invited the public to his birthday event through the radio, I went to that event because I wanted to clear my head and when I left that event, I walked away from the whisper a voice. I had to become my own primary doctor, my own therapist, and my own specialist. I had to find the root of my problem. And when I trusted myself, I discovered where the whisper the voice was coming from. I know what it is, I know where it’s coming from, I know why it is there, I also know why it has been sent. I didn’t always know why, but I knew what I was hearing and what I was experiencing beyond the whisper wasn’t supposed to be. I am a hurting woman set free! Thank you, Mr. Smiley for inviting me to your birthday event! Thank you for the laughter, thank you for trusting me with your platform. And thank you for being the caring person that you are. I actually lost track of you in the 90s. And I was so surprised to hear you on the radio in Raleigh North Carolina. My initial thought when I heard you, I said to self Rickey Smiley! I want to tell you how proud I am of you! Your resume is awesome! Once again, great book!
  • DontBothaMe
    5.0 out of 5 stars Great Read
    Reviewed in the United States on February 8, 2025
    Rickey Smiley is a WONDERFUL person
    Love this book!!
  • AMoore
    5.0 out of 5 stars Easy reading
    Reviewed in the United States on January 27, 2025
    Enjoyed the book had a lot of surprises emotionally
  • Irving J. Downs
    5.0 out of 5 stars Arrived fast great book
    Reviewed in the United States on December 29, 2024
    Book arrived quickly, well packaged and is a great read. I recommend.
  • Sonn
    5.0 out of 5 stars So what is needed
    Reviewed in the United States on September 26, 2024
    I bought this book for my mother because she is struggling with the death of my brother. He’s been in heaven for 5 years now but her and my dad’s grief is like it happened today. After her reading this book and meeting and talking to Mr. Smiley at his book signing. I have seen a major change in her. She’s smiling more and going out more. This book is an amazing read and is much needed today with death being the norm now. Please read if you have suffered a loss or gift this book to a family, friend or neighbor to help the through their grieving process. Thank you Mr. Smiley! She loved it!????
  • Lucy
    4.0 out of 5 stars Book
    Reviewed in the United States on November 8, 2024
    Good reading
  • Buzzroll
    5.0 out of 5 stars great read
    Reviewed in the United States on November 4, 2024
    I’m going through a similar situation with my son. He seems to be on the same path as Brandon. The words and wisdom of this book have given me the confidence and strength to move forward. Hopefully my son’s end won’t be the same, but if it is I’ll remember the words from this book. I’m going to read it again and take notes. Thanks Ricky for sharing your joy and pain of your healing journey.
  • Lorelei W.
    5.0 out of 5 stars A book of Excellence. Great .
    Reviewed in the United States on September 22, 2024
    I am really enjoying reading this .The Author did excellent .work on this book.It makes you laugh , Cry.And all through.your own Pain with grief.. Loosing the ones you love.And the things that goes along with the healing process..A must read .God Bless ???? ❣️ Rickey Smiley.

  • Best Sellers in

     
     

    The Wisdom Codes

    4.6 4.6 out of 5 stars 2,735
    11.15
     
     

    Jesus Doesn't Care About Your Messy House: He Cares About Your Heart

    4.8 4.8 out of 5 stars 5
    16.71
     
     

    A Grief Observed

    4.6 4.6 out of 5 stars 6,529
    6.79
     
     

    The Lazy Genius Way: Embrace What Matters, Ditch What Doesn't, and Get Stuff Done

    4.7 4.7 out of 5 stars 4,059
    13.78
     
     

    Radical Compassion: Learning to Love Yourself and Your World with the Practice of RAIN

    4.7 4.7 out of 5 stars 2,081
    13.78
     
     

    Win the Day: 7 Daily Habits to Help You Stress Less & Accomplish More

    4.8 4.8 out of 5 stars 1,923
    15.75
     
     

    8 Secrets to Powerful Manifesting: How to Create the Reality of Your Dreams

    4.7 4.7 out of 5 stars 742
    11.81
     
     

    The American Story: The Beginnings

    4.9 4.9 out of 5 stars 1,928
    17.46