Sunday, January 10, 2016

An Amish Christmas Gift: Three Amish Novellas



AN AMISH CHRISTMAS GIFT: THREE AMISH NOVELLAS by Amy Clipston, Ruth Reed, and Kelly Irvin

Three short stories that are really great! This is a fun collection for a fan of Amish fiction to enjoy at the Christmas holidays or any time, really.

Amy Clipston's story, Naomi’s Gift is my favorite of the three of the three novellas. Naomi was so real and really pulled the reader into her story. It set the tone to feel empathy for Naomi, how she was and how she was misunderstood. Caleb and Susie were also great and realistic characters. The attraction and connection between Naomi and Caleb was perfect. I had not read the series that this novella is connected to, but did not have any problem following along in the story.

An Unexpected Joy by Ruth Reid was a very different read.  The story read more like a young adult novella and seemed a little jumpy at times.  I thought the growth of their relationship was sweet and fun and it was great to bring in the extended family members.  It could have easily developed into a novel.  I enjoyed reading about Micah’s changing feelings for Abigail. Things certainly change quickly at the story’s end!

Kelly Irvin's novella, A Christmas Visitor has great and complex characters.  The tension between Frannie and Rocky is great and the situation that they are in keeps the reader engrossed.  Frannie’s aunt adds plenty of extra tension to the situation, as well, with the way she wants to push Joseph and Frannie together. This novella can stand alone, but it is also connected to the Amish of Bee County series.  It is a great story!

I enjoy these Amish novella collections. If you do, too, then I definitely recommend An Amish Christmas Gift as a book you will want to read.

Saturday, January 2, 2016

What is YOUR "Why?"


WHY?????

On January 7, it will be four years since Tash died.  I have spent much of that time asking "why." 

- WHY did she die?
- WHY was she sick?
- WHY wasn't I there when she died?
- WHY didn't I do things differently?
- WHY didn't I call her that day?
- WHY couldn't she have been born healthy?
- WHY couldn't we have found her a donor?
- WHY couldn't I save her?
- WHY WHY WHY????

Last year, I began asking other questions that began with "why."

- WHY did I continue to live when Tasha died?
- WHY did I survive?
- WHY am I here?

Yes, they all kind of sound alike.  But, there MUST be a purpose for me to continue to breathe.  So, I began digging - reading, talking through more things in counseling, writing, meditating - whatever I could think of to do to find my purpose. I am not there yet.  But, I am closer.

As the new year arrived, I began making a list of possible reasons why I am still here and Tasha is not.  None of them take the pain of loss away - but, they have begun to give me hope.  They have made me think - made me more excited to get out of bed in the morning.

And, I am thankful for another chance at finding my purpose - I will always be Tasha's mom - but, now, I am working to find out who I am on my own.

NAMASTE... 




Friday, January 1, 2016

Happy New Year...2016, what will you bring?

HAPPY NEW YEAR FROM LONDON!

As some of you know and many of you don't, we moved to London last April.  I have called it my "great escape."  It has taken the pressure off me and my grieving process. This "great escape" has allowed me to really step forward in my journey to find happiness again. 

My life will never be the same - mornings will never be easy - but, I believe that it might be okay to be happy again.  Even as I write this, I feel a twinge of guilt.  But, still, "I rise..."

But, I know that living in the cloud of grief without at least making the effort to be happy again is also a disservice to Tasha and her memory.  It allows the day of her death to override all of the days she LIVED!!  She lived a little over 10,000 days - certainly not enough - but, her life is so much more than the one day she died.

SO.....here I am....welcoming 2016 and thankful for the opportunity to find some happiness in my life, while continuing in the discovery and search of my authentic self.

There are no people to judge my process here - no one to tell me to put my "big girl panties on" and get over it - no one to ask "how can you be happy?" - It's just me walking the line...looking up to the heavens, asking Tash if she is proud - to send me signs - to carve my own path in my life that continues without her, but, still honoring her life and memory.

I love London and while I have been writing for myself, I am ready to begin sharing again - this is a great country - a stoic country - a country that opens its doors to provide opportunities to so many - and now, it has given me the opportunity - to feel - to explore - to be more me than I have ever had the chance to be!

And, now, we have entered a new year...with more chances...and, I am ready to take them all...


2016...the year of simple abundance...the year of exploration...the year of love...

There is no better gift I can give my husband, family and friends than myself - a me comfortable and at peace with myself.  This is the year I continue letting go of what and who doesn't work for me any more...it is an opportunity to celebrate the life I have left!

While continuing to miss Tasha every day of my life, I will continue toward happiness...I will choose joy!

So, watch out, 2016...here I come!

Cheers!