Who it is for
For adult readers of personal memoir, including bereaved parents who want to read another mother’s experience.
Adult readers
Phoenix: Forever 17: A Mother’s Promise
Lisa Birkett remembers her son Phoenix: the boy he was, the love that remains and the grief of losing him at 17.
He was seventeen. He was loved. He was so much more than the way his life ended. In Phoenix: Forever 17: A Mother’s Promise, Lisa Birkett remembers her son: the little boy with endless curiosity, the teenager who loved the gym, music, sharks and the sea, and the funny, caring person his family knew. Writing as a mother, Lisa shares memories of raising Phoenix, learning alongside his ADHD, and facing the grief of living without him. Her words hold the everyday moments that loss makes precious, the love that continues, and a promise to keep saying his name. This is a personal memoir for readers who want to know Phoenix’s story, and for bereaved parents seeking recognition in another mother’s words. It offers no timetable for grief and no instruction to move on. A life remembered. A bond that remains. A mother’s promise.
Printed paperback availableDigital PDF available
Amazon editions available · Digital PDF delivered through Payhip
In Lisa’s own voice
Forever loved. Forever my boy.
Listen to Lisa share the love behind Forever 17, accompanied by a symbolic animation of Phoenix becoming a phoenix bird and flying towards the light.
The PDF is £4.50 with code PHOENIX10 until 2 November 2026 at 10:59 am UK time.
Download the PDFRead the video transcript
Phoenix was my son. He was funny, caring and full of life, and he always will be seventeen. I wrote Forever 17 to share the boy behind the name, our memories and the love that continues. The PDF is now £4.50 with code PHOENIX10 at phenature.co.uk until 2 November at 10:59 am. Please share his story. Forever loved. Forever my boy.
An Amazon reader’s words
★★★★★
An Amazing Story of Love and Loss
“Thank you for this heartbreaking and heartwarming story of Phoenix. His spirit continues on.”
Valerie A. Bramley · Amazon verified-purchase review
Kindle edition · United States · 25 August 2026
An excerpt from an Amazon customer review. Reviews submitted directly to PheNature are collected separately below.
Read more on AmazonBefore you choose this book
What you will find
Memories of Phoenix’s childhood and teenage years, life with ADHD, a mother’s grief and the promise to carry his name forward. This is a personal account, rather than a step-by-step grief guide.
Reading at your pace
Read at your own pace. The book discusses the death of a young person and parental bereavement; it is okay to pause or choose another time.
Read before you choose
From the dedication: For Phoenix
A short excerpt from Lisa’s manuscript, presented as text for easy reading.
For Phoenix My beautiful boy. You taught me more about love than anyone ever could. You made me laugh until my stomach hurt. You challenged me. You exhausted me. You made me proud every single day. The day you were born, my heart grew bigger. The day you left, it broke into pieces. This book is not about how you died. It is about how magnificently you lived. It is about the little boy who saw the world differently, the teenager who loved with his whole heart, and the young man whose life continues to change the lives of others. I promised I would never stop saying your name. This is me keeping that promise. Forever your mum. Love always, Mum
Lisa Birkett · Phoenix: Forever 17: A Mother’s Promise
View the book on AmazonHow it can help
Thoughtfully created for the journey.
- Offers recognition to bereaved parents who feel alone
- Honours continuing love and connection
- Shares an honest journey without asking readers to move on
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