Pennies from Heaven for Kevin is a remarkable story of a man whose life spiraled out of control after the death of his two-year-old son, Kyle. Blaming himself and ridden with pain and guilt, Kevin went on a downward path spending a total of seven years locked up in nineteen different jails and prisons, along with numerous rehabilitation centers over twenty years for alcohol and drug addiction.
At one treatment facility, Kevin found a penny on his nightstand. The year of the penny was the year Kyle was born. Money was not allowed at the facility and, in that moment, the spirit of Kyle filled Kevin’s heart. Through all the subsequent rehabs and incarcerations, Kevin would find pennies, even in solitary confinement, and he would know his son was with him, most importantly, he knew he would see Kyle again someday.
Kevin wrote the first draft of his story in 2013, just before he went into prison for the last time. Putting his story on paper made it real and taught him how self-centered he had been and how he had blamed everyone and everything to avoid looking in the mirror. His life began to change the day he stopped asking God why his child was taken from him and finally got on his knees and asked God to lead him in the direction of a new and healthy life.
In this book, you will read about the depths of desperation and pain from a devastating loss that one man went through and his road to recovery. The author hopes it will show you that there is help available and provide you with the certainty that there is a God and Heaven and that you will see your loved ones again. In the meantime, they can send you signs to let you know you are not alone.
“An emotionally raw memoir that chronicles the author's decades-long battle with addiction, the personal losses that shaped his life, and his spiritual journey toward redemption. The pain and chaos of his experiences come through in his vivid storytelling, particularly in moments such as his recollection of his son's death. The weight of this loss permeates the book, and Hyde’s raw depiction of his emotional unraveling afterward is heart-wrenching. This vulnerability is what makes the memoir so compelling. His belief in signs from heaven, like the pennies that appear at key moments, brings an element of hope and faith to the narrative. It’s a beautiful reminder that even in the darkest times, there can be a connection to something greater, whether it's God, loved ones, or a sense of purpose. This memoir will resonate with readers who are interested in stories of personal transformation and recovery. It’s not an easy read, the content is heavy, and Hyde’s honesty about his failures can be overwhelming. However, for anyone who has struggled with addiction, loss, or finding faith amidst hardship, Pennies from Heaven for Kevin offers a brutally honest look at what it means to rebuild your life one penny at a time.”
"A true story of addiction, faith, and redemption, Pennies From Heaven For Kevin follows Kevin Hyde's heartbreaking battles with addiction and other self-destructive behavior. This memoir is a cautionary tale and a must-read for people in recovery and anyone else who has ever witnessed a loved one's life fall apart in the clutches of vices such as drug abuse or alcoholism. Kevin gives an unflinching account of his life and doesn't hesitate to show readers his lowest lows. He attributes his path to recovery to those who offered him a helping hand in his time of need, including the Keryx prison ministry. He continues to collect pennies in honor of his son and attends AA and Narcotics Anonymous meetings regularly. Kevin's story is a powerful reminder of how some choices can lead us astray while others can help us get back on our feet. Highly recommended."
“Hyde’s vulnerable, honest account of spending twenty years within numerous jails, prisons, and rehabilitation centers details a sobering life story wherein the author comes to know God through “signs” from his deceased child, Kyle. The author’s remarkable attention to detail within these pages is notable. So, too, is Hyde’s unfettered dedication to not holding back in sharing often uncomfortable truths about the choices made and the resultant downward direction of his life story over decades. With an extremely candid autobiographical approach, the memoir is both a story of one man’s fall and eventual return to grace and also an attempt to reach others in hopes of making a positive difference. Hyde’s story is touching, to be sure, but what raises this title above average is his commitment to unguarded, transparent storytelling, inclusive of the good, the bad, and the ugly. His experiences of healing faith, overcoming intense trauma, and the heavenly promise in finding Kyle’s pennies might well leave many a reader teary-eyed.”
