Presale Opens: February 23, 2026 • Signed copies available • Presale price: $16.99
PRE-SALE
"The Final Salute: A Mother’s Journey
Through Service, Sorrow, & Survival"
A raw, honest memoir and a steady guide for military parents navigating service, fear, and the kind of grief that changes everything… and still finding a way forward.
Learn what to ask, what to watch for, and how to stay connected through the military journey
Understand transitions, resources, and the moments families often feel unprepared for
Find emotional grounding, reflection, and hope rooted in lived truth—not platitudes
If your child is entering the military…
or struggling inside it… you’re not overreacting.
Military life can feel like learning a new language while your heart stays on high alert. The questions come fast and the answers don’t always feel clear. If you’re carrying fear, confusion, or the ache of “I should’ve known what to do,” this book was written for you.
You’re trying to stay strong, but you feel the weight of what could happen
You don’t fully understand the process—and you don’t know what you should be asking
You’re worried your child isn’t thriving, and you’re not sure how to reach them
You’re craving connection with other parents who get it
You need hope that life can still hold meaning—even after profound loss
This is a story, but it’s also a lifeline.
Missing Pieces gives you two things in one: a powerful personal journey and a practical companion for military parents.
You’ll walk away with comfort, clarity, and grounded hope—plus language for the conversations that matter most.
- Understand key military processes and milestones (without feeling lost)
- Ask better questions—before, during, and after service transitions
- Recognize warning signs, open safer conversations, and know where to turn for support
- Hold grief with honesty—and still build roots for what comes next
“Acknowledge the loss, recognize the feelings, and build roots for the future.”
— From Missing Pieces
What’s inside Missing Pieces
This book follows the real arc of military family life—connection, service, transition, and the realities we don’t talk about enough.
Part 1: Before service — connection + preparation
• Connecting with your child’s dreams and future (Chapter 1)
• The first steps and what families wish they’d known earlier (Chapters 2–3)
• Questions to ask recruiters—and the gaps families deserve to understand (Chapter 3)
Part 2: During service — distance, milestones, and staying tethered
• Supporting from afar while keeping “home” alive (Chapters 4–8)
• Community, units, training, and the hidden pressure points (Chapters 8–11)
• Housing, BAH stressors, and the practical realities that affect wellbeing (Chapter 10)
Part 3: Transition + resources + the hard truth
• Life after contract: skills, identity, and the civilian shift (Chapters 12–14)
• Understanding warning signs and what to do in a crisis (Chapters 15–16)
• Learning how to go on after tragedy (Chapters 17–19)
Includes a Quick Reference Guide
A fast, practical resource you can return to when you need direction, questions, or next steps.
Meet Lori M. Kendall
Lori M. Kendall is a writer, grief navigator, and advocate for healing through reflection and creative expression. Drawing on her experiences in military life and the loss of her son, she helps individuals and couples navigate grief with honesty, courage, and compassion. As the founder of Reflective Roots Coaching, Lori blends lived wisdom with reflective practices to support others in finding strength, meaning, and hope after loss.
Gold Star mother
IOPGC “From Grief to Gratitude” coach
Master’s in Strategic Communication
Education background + Lifelong Learner
Nonprofit leadership + Mental Health Advocacy
“It wasn’t me leading Kole to his future… it was Kole leading me to mine.”
Preorder during presale (and receive a signed copy)
Presale price: $19.99
Formats: E-book, Paperback, Hardcover, Audiobook (as available)
Signed copy: Available during presale
Delivery: Delivery dates will be emailed after purchase.
You’ll receive confirmation immediately after purchase. Delivery updates will be sent to the email you use at checkout.
A Gentle Content Note:
This memoir includes themes of military stress, grief, and the loss of a child, including loss connected to self-harm. Please care for yourself as you read. If you are in immediate danger or feel at risk, contact your local emergency number right away. In the U.S. and Canada, you can call or text 988 for the Suicide & Crisis Lifeline.
Frequently Asked Questions
If you’re holding questions, you’re not alone. Here are a few answers as you consider preordering Missing Pieces.
Who is this book for?
Military parents, families, and loved ones who want clarity, connection, and a grounded companion through service, transition, and grief.
Who is it not for?
Anyone under 18, and anyone who feels unready for themes of suicide loss or self-harm.
When will I receive the book?
[INSERT DETAILS] If dates shift, you’ll be updated by email.
What do I receive right after purchase?
Your order confirmation + presale updates. [Add bonus delivery details if you decide to include any.]
How do signed copies work?
[INSERT LOGISTICS: “Signed copies are limited during presale. You’ll confirm shipping details after purchase.”]
Is this therapy or professional mental health treatment?
No. This is a memoir and guide rooted in lived experience and reflection. If you need clinical support, please reach out to a licensed professional.
If you’re searching for the “missing pieces”…
you don’t have to search alone.
This book is everything Lori wished she had known, everything she needed, now offered to the families walking a similar road.
“Grief doesn’t have to consume you. There can be gratitude in grief and roots for what comes next.”
Stay in the Loop!
Want updates on Missing Pieces, without chasing posts or missing announcements?
Join Lori’s email list for launch news, event dates, and presale details sent with care. (Fill out the form to the right)
Ⓒ Lori Kendall | 2026 All Rights Reserved | Questions? E-mail me here