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Customer Reviews
Linda, I admire your courage and felt that
you truly opened up your heart and wrote what was going on in your mind
while you told this story. It was such a great tribute to your mamma, and
such a manifestation of your love for her - what a neat thing to be able
to do. And to be able to pass this along to other people, and to pass it
on to your daughter and her daughter -WOW!!
I was surprised to find that you were going through this when we first met
on that airplane in August 2007 (page 82).
Your portrayal of your mother really made me feel like I knew her and that
I knew, intimately, your relationship with her.
During this Holiday season, I plan to re-read your book. I find both
laughter and a little peace in your words...
Thank you for writing it, hugs & kisses, Kim Bateman
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I just finished your book and words cannot
express how proud I am of you and the encouragement you have given me. I
started reading it last night and picked it up to read while working out
and could not put it down until I finished it. Unbelievable. You have
amazing strength and I hope that I can be half a strong as you.
As you know my Mom is nearing her final
years and it scares me more than I can say. While she is doing fine for
now my sisters and I know that with her heart working at 35% time is
short. Some of the items you discussed in your book are very relative.
Things like memory. Many times I have to bit my tongue when she tends to
repeat things she has already said. I know I am very blessed to have had
my Mom for as long as I have, but it will difficult when the time comes. I
need to count my blessings and thank God for every day I have with her.
Leah Hoffman
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Aloha My Dear Friend!
I finished your book... and I SO honor you
for your willingness to share such intimate detail about your experience.
I know it will help many others going through a similar situation find
comfort in knowing that ALL the feelings they experience - humor, sadness,
joy, frustration, anger, peace, etc. are all OK. Reading the book was
quite an emotional experience for me on many levels... It also gave me
some great ideas of things I can still do with my mom NOW to enjoy the
time that we spend even more, and how incredibly valuable & healing
silliness and laughter is - something we can always expand in our lives!!!
I know your mom is SO incredibly proud of you! Congratulations on your
creation!!!
Love, Terez Hartmann
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Linda,
What a remarkable book! I laughed and I
cried and then I cried some more.
I could see myself in some parts of your
book because I have such a similar relationship with my mom. And have
often ask myself some of the same things you asked yourself. It is funny
how that voice in our heads just ramble on some times, uh?
I was so touched. Thanks for sharing your story.
In places, reading the situations that you
were in, I kept asking myself, “Where was I during this time?” I just
really wasn’t aware of what was going on and I am sorry I wasn’t there for
you in some fashion because you are such a beautiful person and a great
friend.
May God continue to bless you in your journey,
Love and hugs, Faith Winston
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The book was unbelievable....once u pick it
up you can't put it down, not because I know all of you, but because it
was real, sincere, and all the thoughts that go through people's minds but
dont always come out of their mouths....I can't wait to share it with my
friends...one problem though....toooooooo short.....I got so into it I was
very sad when it ended....I was a big girl though...didn't cry til page
108.....wonderful book Linda-Lou, keepem coming..
Lana Ruotolo
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LINDA, I HAVE FINISHED YOUR BOOK. YOU HAVE
A WONDERFUL WAY OF EXPRESSING YOUR AND MAMA'S LOVE AND DEVOTION TO EACH
OTHER. THE LAUGHTER AND JOKING CAPTURES BOTH YOUR FEELINGS FOR LIFE AND
LOVE FOR ALL YOUR FAMILY.
I WILL BE PASSING THE BOOK AROUND MY FAMILY
SO THEY MAY ENJOY.
TOM COWHEY
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Hi Linda, I am on page 54 and I have to
tell you your wording is perfect but, it does make me cry. I don't know if
I am ready to read it. My Mom sounds so much like yours as far as being
tough, very humorous, sometimes without even trying!!! She had breast
cancer which she survived beautifully, then my Dad died of a massive heart
attack suddenly. He was in awesome shape, went to the gym daily ( a gym
named after him because of his accomplishments as Chief of Police for 40
years) and even had six pack abs at 80. He went hunting with my husband
and died in the woods. Mom was never the same. She had lost her cat pf 17
years and we thought she was depressed but by the time we got her to go to
the doctor (you know how they are about that) it was too late. She had
cancer of the pancreas and died 27 days later. We were able to keep her
home, which was a blessing, with the help of hospice. Myself and 2 of my
sisters cared for her daily and were all in bed with her when she passed.
Linda, I have to tell you, part of me died that day too...but it has been
a year and I do focus on all the positives and the blessings that I do
have in my life. So far your book has just made me tell my husband, family
and friends how much they mean to me and how much I love them. Your book
has made me feel nostalgic and just remembering the good young old days
that were shared by my Mom and Dad and sisters. I think your book will
definitely help people going through the process of caring for a
terminally ill parent. It makes you pick and choose words carefully . No
matter how tired or scared you are it is very important to know that how
you treat your parent at this time will give you peace and strength after
they are gone. That is the gift you have given people through sharing your
journey with "Mamma" and your wonderful phrasing and humor of expressing.
I love it Linda and can not wait to share it with my sister, that I am the
closes to, who ironically called our Mom, "Momma" I'll keep giving you
feed back as I continue, if I am not too dehydrated from crying!!!!!! God
Bless you.
Susan xoxos
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Darling, you are a gifted author, and your
book is beautiful, heartwarming and inspirational. I sat down yesterday
and read the whole thing. It touched my heart so many times as I thought
about my Daddy and the wonderful last years we spent together. And, I want
to give you some more input on it, so here goes.
I loved how you called your Mom Mama just like I used to call my Dad
Daddy. It made your Mama more real as if I knew her too. Your heartwarming
visuals made me smile with delight, as I loved reading your rich anecdotes
about life with Mama. I also loved the quotes from others that you added.
I loved how you sprinkled added bits of humor throughout your stories and
wonderful insights like make things easy to keep Mama's mind active. Your
lessons learned were wonderful -talking about things that bugged her,
learning about things to expect. Your reminiscent style of writing is rich
like a little kid always enjoying life with an eye of wonder with Mama. I
loved her sixty second elevator speech and the crooked finger. Your
beautiful sentiment about the depths of your love for her brought tears
for my heart. And I especially loved your remark "Let me stand on my head
and make you laugh more", in addition to the many many shiny bits of
wisdom and insight about the depth of loss you were going through.
Darling you are truly a gift. Thank you for
sharing your Mama with me.
Love, Lenore Farkas |
