“Authentic love is the greatest joy there is, but it requires a thousand little deaths to self.”
A dual time book that takes a unique, sometimes irreverent look at death and dying through the eyes of feisty 79 year old Clara Kip.
Set in a hospice care unit, the author description brought back memories of the retirement center that my parents were in and the assisted living facility attached to it where they spent their last days.
I have to say that Clara Kip is a real corker and would have been a real joy to anyone in that situation. “Honey, I’m only dying, I’m not an invalid!”
Aidyn Kelley, a rookie reporter, meets Clara when she is assigned to write her obituary. Aidyn gets so much more than she expected and learns lessons that God wanted to teach her through Clara, a staunch woman of God.
The author brings many emotions to the front while telling the story of a woman who has had troubles but overcame with a living faith. Clara may see her life as inconsequential, but she knows God loves her: “Almost always the Lord has taught me more when I took the hard path with someone instead of the self-protective one.”
A particularly poignant description is of Clara observing a sunrise and pouring her heart out in thanks to God.
This is a profound story that caused me to examine my motives and spurred me to be mindful to thank God for many things in my life. I highly recommend this debut book to everyone.
* I received a complimentary copy of this book from Revell through Library Thing. I was not required to give a favorable review. All opinions are my own.* 5 stars+ and a solid faith thread
Aidyn Kelley is talented, ambitious, and ready for a more serious assignment than the fluff pieces she's been getting as a cub reporter for the Kansas City Star. In her eagerness, she pushes too hard, earning herself the menial task of writing an obituary for an unremarkable woman who's just entered hospice care.
But there's more to Clara Kip than meets the eye. The spirited septuagenarian may be dying, but she's not quite ready to cash it in yet. Never one to shy away from an assignment herself, she can see that God brought the young reporter into her life for a reason. And if it's a story Aidyn Kelley wants, that's just what Mrs. Kip will give her--but she's going to have to work for it.
Debut author Sara Brunsvold delights with this emotional multigenerational story that shows that the very best life is made up of thousands of little deaths to self. You'll want to be just like Mrs. Kip when you grow up!
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