Title: Dad Died, Then Mom
Author: Malia Arries
Genre: Nonfiction Memoir
Book Blurb:
"Dad Died, Then Mom" stands as a beacon of hope and an homage to the beauty of life, even as it draws to a close.
It offers not only a deep dive into the emotional whirlpool of caregiving but also brings to the forefront the profound love, unwavering faith, and unexpected joy that come with this sacred duty. Diane Donovan, the Senior Reviewer at Midwest Book Review, regards it as a remarkable contribution to caregiving literature, one that illuminates the path with its heartfelt sincerity.Malia, joined by her siblings Bill, Marvel, Franchion, and Shonnie, embarked on a journey that every family dreads, yet one that has the potential to become the most profound chapter in their lives. As their parents approached their final days, these brave souls banded together, unified by a single purpose: to give their parents the love and dignity they deserved at the end of their life's journey.This book is a guide, a companion, and a source of strength for anyone who may be navigating these uncharted waters. It is not written from the perspective of a medical professional, but from a place of shared experience. Malia's voice resonates with the authenticity of someone who has walked the path of a family caregiver, speaking directly to the hearts of those who will, one day, wear the same shoes.Whether you're currently in the throes of caregiving, anticipating what lies ahead, or you're facing your own sunset years, this narrative offers a powerful reflection on what it means to be alive and to care for those we love in their most vulnerable moments. Through Malia's intimate recounting, readers are invited to not just observe, but to feel and possibly choose to embrace this extraordinary phase of life with their loved ones, to compare their own experiences, or to simply find solace in the shared human condition.
Excerpt:
[Our last Christmas with Dad]
Christmas Eve that year was a special gathering of the nuclear family and spouses, a very intimate and memorable time with Mom and Dad.
I remember Dad watching as I was setting the table. He commented on how I could possibly make that many trips from the hutch to the table! It was such a pleasure for me, with Mom’s suggestions, to make the table special. The seating arrangement (with our spouses) was how we had sat around the table when we were young kids growing up on the farm.
Rather than recite our usual dinner prayer, we held hands and sang a traditional Christian hymn. Truly it was a very blessed last Christmas for us to be together.
[Our last Christmas with Mom after Dad was gone]
At seven o’clock, we lit a candle for Mom to hold. All the lights in the house were turned off. After lining up one by one, we each lit our candle from hers. We sang a heavenly Christmas hymn together (twice) while Darrell accompanied on his guitar. It was beautiful. It was significant.
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Share a holiday family tradition:
We always had oyster stew and English plum (a “raisin” since the 18th century) pudding – the recipe had been handed down for generations - on Christmas Eve.
Why is your featured book perfect to get readers in the holiday mood?
The holidays are the most love-filled, festive, family and friend gathering time of the year…. And, there will come that first heartbreaking season with a loved one missing from your table or from someone’s table that you know. "Dad Died, Then Mom" is more than a book; it's a companion for your heart and soul, supporting you to find beauty in the goodbye and to honor your loved one’s full circle of life with grace and gratitude.
Giveaway –
One lucky reader will win a $75 Amazon gift card
Open internationally.
Runs December 1 – 31
Drawing will be held on January 2, 2024.
Author Biography:
Malia is a wife, a mom to two dogs, and the award-winning author of "Dad Died, Then Mom." During an ordinary day, she's likely to be at her computer, throwing a ball for her dog, relaxing on an outdoor swing, reading, or watching a movie. She also enjoys teaching ballroom and Latin dance classes to people who then become her friends. Malia, Darrell Shelby (husband), Arries (Labrador), and Shelby (Border Collie/Labrador mix) live full-time in a vintage Prevost bus. Spending summers near Minocqua, WI and winters near Pahrump, NV takes them from clear lakes and lush woods to barren deserts and stunning mountains. They love them both!
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