Submitted by Mrs. Z on Tue, 02/03/2009 - 1:28am
This isn't a cheerful book and yet I find myself laughing and surrounded by a true sense of joy as Linda Burhans introduces me to her Mama, Jo McCauley. The love and joy they share, even their frustrations as life's journey darkens, it all is woven together into such strong bonds. As I walk the path with them through the end of Jo's life, I find so many parallels between their relationship and the friendship I have with my own mother.
A genuine inspiration, Linda opens her heart and in so doing, opens mine. Love and the time we have together is such a treasure.
Thank you, Linda.
Linda Burhan's tribute to the bond she shared with her mother reminds me of Nancy Friday's excellent "My Mother, My Self," which so candidly explored the often-conflicting feelings daughters hold for their mothers. If you haven't already read it, I highly recommend this book for any daughter who wants to appreciate her mother for the woman she is rather than the idealized mother-figure she is being judged against.
Linda shares a common, yet intimate, milestone in this journey we call life! She shares it simply, unvarnished, enabling the reader to be there too. This book will leave you smiling and enriched, having met Linda and her Mom. Perhaps you will also be just a wee bit eased at your own life's next curveball, whatever it may be! Read it and smile!
"When Jo's adult children urged her to move to a senior community near her New York home they expected her to resist. She did more than that - she refused. Instead, she announced she was moving to Florida to be near Linda 'because, out of all the kids, you make me laugh the most.'"
That, alone, makes me want to read this book. What a beautiful tribute to the love and respect between these two women.
This book tenderly illustrates how one can turn loss into learning, burden into blessings & grief into growth. A must read for the soul!