‘a beautiful book about a powerful bond’ between mother and daughter’ Excerpts from Miracle Within Small Things: A Mother and Daughter's Journey Through Loss and Aging Mother/Jane McKinney Promise of Spring Walking on the path along the river with the trees budding and the birds singing I am overcome with the promise of spring. Everywhere there are “twos”-- the ducks in the water the geese along the shore-- even birds in the trees call eagerly to each other. Sometimes, instead of “twos” there are “threes” or even “fours” as little ones follow along behind the parents. It is spring-- joy and promise brighten the world. Daughter/Mary McKSchmidt Turquoise Plaid Pajamas Will I remember how peaceful she looks tucked in the recliner, her comforter pulled up against her chin, the life-like golden retriever draped across her lap? How her head lists to the right as she sleeps? How delight sweeps across her face when she opens her eyes and I am there? How she raises her arms for a hug and her excitement is like a flock of robins feasting on the berries of a crabapple tree in winter? How anticipation, hers and mine, swirls about our shoulders as I slide down the side of the bed to the floor at her feet for our chat? How our conversation flows as a river, sometimes slow, sometimes fast, but always moving? How, when I help her rise from the recliner on the count of three, we pause for a morning embrace? How her hair tickles my nose as I kiss the top of her head? How the softness of her fleece pajamas breaks my heart open to the possibilities of each new day? How I left a note to the caregivers asking that mother’s pajamas be spared the whirling efficiency of the dryer? How I hoped air-drying would preserve the feel of the fleece? together they explore loss, pain, fear, change, commitment, aging, loneliness, and loss." Rosemerry Wahtola Trommer, author of All the Honey and Hush "Here’s a collection of prose and poetry doing what it has always been meant to do--make accessible the great mysteries of hearts that have weathered our ineffable perceptions, insights, joys, and sorrows." Jack Ridl, author of Practicing to Walk Like a Heron; co-recipient from Foreword Reviews for the nation's best book of poetry . "More than anything, mother and daughter remind us of the importance of living with joy." Eric Stemle, author of I Was not the Blossom: Growing with Your Students in a Nurturing Classroom “…a beautiful book about a powerful bond.” Anne-Marie Oomen, author of As Long as I Know You: The Mom Book and other Michigan Notable Books awards "A quiet poignancy is reflected in their words that embrace life despite loss and grief." Linda Nemec Foster, author of Bone Country and The Blue Divide " . . . they describe how they’ve learned to live everyday with grace, gratitude, grit and humor as they grow older together . . ." Pamela H. Daugavietis, retired freelance writer, Grand Rapids, MI
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From briefcase to pen, paper and camera, one woman's journey to influence
how we care for the environment, our seniors, each other. Available
from your local bookstore or online retailer ![]() The Ideal Gift Tiny Treasures, a collection of wildflower photographs and poetic prose, available by contacting me. The 2nd Edition of Tiny Treasures is designed for use on PCs, tablets, and phones and is available at online stores. To learn more, click on the Ibook/Ebook button below:
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