Only Rainbows

Grief changes us. But it doesn't have to destroy us. This mother's memoir celebrates the life of Carley McCord, beloved sports journalist, and the journey her family has walked toward healing after her departure.

In December of 2019, sports reporter Carley McCord perished alongside four others in a plane crash that drew national attention. It would be just one in a series of tragic losses that struck Carley's family before and during the pandemic. In the following years, Carley's mother, father, and surviving siblings faced indelible grief. But through expression, the beauty of memory, and in their own distinct ways, each member of the family began to walk their way toward healing.

Karen McCord, author of infertility memoir Lessons of the Lilies, returns with a tour de force on the impact of suffering and the meaning of a life-even one cut tragically short. Through personal anecdotes and heartfelt stories collected directly from Carley's loved ones, Only Rainbows celebrates Carley's legacy-her ambition, her laughter, and her unwavering determination to be a force of light in the world.

Telling the story of her own grief journey alongside Carley's own unfolding story, Karen unveils the jagged path of her family's healing journey alongside the narrative of a daughter's enduring influence. Readers will witness Carley's transformation from a mid-town girl with big-time aspirations to a beloved media personality who rubbed shoulders with celebrities and left an indelible mark on everyone she met.

This book will be enjoyed by fans of sports memoirs such as We Are Marshall, Sidelines and Bloodlines, and Coming Back Stronger by Drew Brees. A powerful story of faith, hope, and resilience, Only Rainbows is perfect for college sports enthusiasts, aspiring journalists, and women in the media and entertainment industry. It is also a book lovingly crafted for those experiencing grief-and a reminder that our journeys are filled with indescribable color... if we can find a way to hold on to its memory.