Colleen Sell - A Cup of Comfort for Mothers and Daughters: Stories That Celebrate a Very Special Bond

for

Mothers and

Daughters

Stories that

celebrate a very

special bond

Edited by Col een Sel

Avon, Massachusetts

For my grandmother, Mary; my mother, Jeannie;my daughters, Jennifer and Christine; and my granddaughter, Brianna:May our circle of light, laughter, and love be forever unbroken.

Copyright 2003 by F+W Publications, Inc.

All rights reserved. This book, or parts thereof, may not be reproduced in any form without permission from the publisher; exceptions are made for brief excerpts used in published reviews.

A Cup of Comfort is a registered trademark of F+W Publications, Inc.

Published by

Adams Media, an F+W Publications Company 57 Littlefield Street, Avon, MA 02322 U.S.A.

www.adamsmedia.com and www.cupofcomfort.com ISBN 10: 1-59869-661-0

ISBN 13: 978-1-59869-661-5 (paperback) ISBN 13: 978-1-60550-391-2 (EPUB)

Printed in the United States of America.

J I H G F E D C B A Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data A cup of comfort for mothers & daughters: stories that celebrate a very special bond / edited by Colleen Sell.

p. cm.

1. WomenReligious life. I. Sell, Colleen.

HQ755.85.C856 2003

306.874'3--dc21

2002155579

This publication is designed to provide accurate and authoritative information with regard to the subject matter covered. It is sold with the understanding that the publisher is not engaged in rendering legal, accounting, or other professional advice. If legal advice or other expert assistance is required, the services of a competent professional person should be sought.

From a Declaration of Principles jointly adopted by a Committee of the American Bar Association and a Committee of Publishers and Associations Many of the designations used by manufacturers and sellers to distinguish their products are claimed as trademarks. Where those designations appear in this book and Adams Media was aware of a trademark claim, the designations have been printed with initial capital letters.

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844-3-pp000i-x.qxd 5/30/2007 2:39 PM Page iii Acknowledgments

When I first started gathering stories for the flagship book in the Cup of Comfort series, my objective had been simple: to do a good job. In my mind, that meant compiling a cohesive collection of engaging stories that would lift readers spirits and bring hope to their hearts. I believed then, as I do now, that sharing our personal stories benefits not only the listener, but also the storyteller. I knew the job would be challenging and hoped it would be rewarding. What I didnt realize was just how challenging it would be, and how much hard work by so many other people it would require. Nor could I have imagined how rewarding this experience would be, how much healing and joy it would bring to me personally.

In fact, at the time A Cup of Comfort was launched, for the first time in my life, I felt utterly hopeless and joyless, and nothing seemed to comfort iii

844-3-pp000i-x.qxd 5/30/2007 2:39 PM Page iv iv

A Cup of Comfort for Mothers & Daughters me. My son, the youngest of my three children, had been suffering from a debilitating brain injury for almost five years. Recovery had become increasingly less likely; survival was iffy. So I did what I had to do: I did everything I could to help my son, and I got up every morning and went to work.

But then a remarkable thing happened. My workthanks to the countless good people who sent in stories that have so touched and inspired me, and thanks to the amazing staff at Adams Media whose incredible support makes it all possible, and thanks to the readers whove embraced these wonderful bookshelped me to heal, and to feel joy again, and to celebrate lifes blessings.

And for that, I am most grateful.

A deep bow of appreciation goes to the authors whose stories are featured in A Cup of Comfort forMothers & Daughters and to Kate Epstein, Laura MacLaughlin, Kate McBride, Betty Eastman, Mary Hanley, Sandy Smith, Sue Beale, Sophie Cathro, Gene Molter, and Bob Adams.

Thanks also go to my husband, for putting up with my long hours at work and away from us; to my lovely mother and daughters, for their brilliant presence in my life; and to my son, whose journey back to wellness never ceases to amaze and inspire me.

844-3-pp000i-x.qxd 5/30/2007 2:39 PM Page v Contents

Introduction.................................... vii Time Out Nancy Massand........................ 1

She Left a Mess Behind Jaye W. Manus............... 6

Dear Mom Christine Goold....................... 12

The Power of a Mothers Love Richelle Putnam....... 17

A Mother Knows Lynn Ruth Miller................. 27

The Coronation Bluma Schwarz................... 31

Full Circle Annemarieke Tazelaar.................. 38

Heart Choices Kelly L. Stone..................... 43

Daughter of the Bride Molly Hulett................. 51

First Moon Rising Ksenija Soster Olmer............. 55

The Inheritance Camille Moffat................... 65

Lessons from a Four-Year-Old Maureen Anderson...... 71

To Love a Stranger Sande Smith................... 76

What I Wanted to Tell Her Sylvia E. Sheets McDonald . 81

The Bike Trip Peggy Newland Goetz................ 85

A Mothers Arms Pamela K. Amlung............... 93

My Whirling Girl Cassie Premo Steele.............. 102

From a Mother Sheri McGregor.................. 108

Grammy and the Dream Keeper Marla Doherty...... 113

Before the Rain Comes Catherine Olson............ 121

My Mothers Hands Patty Briles.................. 129

The Circle Plant Susan J. Siersma................. 132

v

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A Cup of Comfort for Mothers & Daughters Fashion Amnesia Karen Favo Walsh............... 135

The Birthday Promise Anne Carter................ 139

Leaving Ramona John.......................... 144

The Comforter B. J. Bateman.................... 149

Pearls Martha Lackritz.......................... 156

My Funny Mother Patricia Fish................... 159

Lava Love Jane Tod Jimenez..................... 167

The Demise of Josephine Kristl Volk Franklin........ 175

A Little Night Music Carrie Howard............... 184

Mamas Egg Patricia McFarland................... 189

Mary and Me Maura Bedloe..................... 196

Carolines Prince Inez Hollander Lake.............. 205

The Old Indian Woman Marla Kiley............... 214

My Declaration Irene L. Pynn.................... 218

Pink Ribbons Elaine Ernst Schneider............... 225

The Daughter of Maeve Cassie Premo Steele........ 230

Great Expectations Valerie Schultz................ 240

The Shoebox Pamela Frost...................... 246

Girly Girl Mona Gable.......................... 253

Between the Tears and the Truth Patricia Clark...... 262

The Legacy Susan B. Townsend................... 266

Making Mommy Pretty Diane Meredith Vogel....... 271

The Sponge Bath Mary Karen Burke............... 275

Water Echoes Gina M. Bacon.................... 283