Like the crocheted blanket coming undone on the cover
of this novel, the lead character in The Unraveling of Reverend G is
watching her mind disengage. And the emotional pain causes her heart to cry
silently, “I can’t stand it.”
Reverend G (short for Gertrude) has always managed her
difficult life with grace and courage and, until now, with all her memory
intact. But the insidious and premature onset of Alzheimer’s has completely
thrown this associate pastor into life-altering questions. Will her loved ones
still love her? Will she turn “looney?” Will she lose the joy of God’s love?
Or, even worse, forget about God? These are fears she lives with—and cannot
stand.
Bravely facing an uncertain future, the 62-year-old
minister, with the support of her adult son and daughter-in-law, prepares to
move into a facility where she cannot wander off. Is she now a prisoner? Is her
life over? But God has surprising and unexpected answers for Reverend G as it
seems her ministry is still very much alive. It has just changed.
I don’t think it was by accident that I recently brought my
e-reader to my own mother’s nursing home room. Very ill with the flu, my 98-year-old
mom needed some extra TLC that day. In between offering my mom sips of soda and
encouraging her to take her medicine, she slept peacefully while I read The
Unraveling of Reverend G.
There was so much truth in this novel: The honest portrayals
of family members, friends and caregivers dealing with dementia on a daily
basis; the pain of watching loved ones as they slowly lose the building blocks
of their memories; the brick & mortar of the patient’s thoughts slowly
crumbling away.Where once a child’s
hand was held by the parent, the mother or father now relies on the
encouragement and guidance of the adult child.
Author RJ Thesman paints it all through the eyes of a woman
with dementia. It is brave, brilliant and beautiful.
The loving appreciation of each phase in a person’s life is
celebrated, whether the child in the womb or the child in the old and frail.
This is a book that should be read by everyone, but especially by “the
caregivers who so patiently watch over those who sometimes forget.”These are the tender warriors to whom this
amazing story is dedicated. A must read.
This is the first book in a three-part series. Looking
forward to the sequels.
Author Bio:
RJ Thesman has been a writer since she flipped open her Red Chief tablet and scribbled her first story. Eventually, she had to stop writing and go to school where she earned an education degree and taught at many levels. Thesman is a biblical counselor and a Stephen Minister. She has worked in a variety of nonprofits and has served as campus minister to international students. With a variety of communication skills, Thesman is always writing and building more publishing credits. She teaches writing workshops and enjoys helping beginning writers birth their words. Thesman is the mother of an adult son, and enjoys reading, gardening and cooking - especially anything with blueberries.
When we
sit down at our Thanksgiving meal this month, we’ll be recreating a celebration
that is as old as our country: sharing food with loved ones while thanking the
God Who has provided the abundance.
While we
understand that the First Thanksgiving was celebrated here by the Mayflower
survivors along with the Indians that had helped them, the first official
proclamation that was decreed to celebrate such a holiday was in 1777. It was a
recommendation to the thirteen states by the Continental Congress to set aside
December 18th that year as a “solemn thanksgiving” to celebrate the
first major victory for the Continental troops in the American Revolution: the
Battle of Saratoga.
The
Battle of Saratoga has significant interest for my own family since one of my
ancestors was a soldier there. But he was not on the American side—he was a
British Redcoat. After surrendering to the Americans, he escaped the line of
prisoners and somehow made his way to Massachusetts and into the life and heart
of my fourth great-grandmother. *SIGH* L’amour!
This
family story was the inspiration for my Deer Run Saga that begins in 1777 with
The Road to Deer Run. There is an elaborate
Thanksgiving meal scene in this novel as well as in the sequel, The
Promise of Deer Run.
Some may
wonder why such detail was afforded this holiday in my novels set in
Massachusetts, while Christmas is barely mentioned. The reason is simple:
Thanksgiving was the major holiday in the northern colonies, with Christmas
considered nothing more special than a workday. According to Jack Larkin in his
book, The Reshaping ofEveryday
Life, “The Puritan founders of New England and the Quaker settlers
of Pennsylvania had deliberately abolished (holidays) as
unscriptural.”
But
Thanksgiving was begun as a way to give thanks to God for His provision. It
usually began with attending church services in the morning, followed by an
elaborate feast in the afternoon. The food for this meal was prepared for weeks
in advance.
Since the
individual state governors chose their own date to celebrate the holiday, it was
theoretically possible for some family members—if they lived in close
proximity—to celebrate multiple Thanksgiving meals with family and friends
across state borders. The dates chosen could be anywhere from October to
December, according to Dennis Picard, Director of the Storrowton Village Museum
in West Springfield, Massachusetts.
Chicken
was most commonly served, said Picard, as it was readily available in the
barnyard. And the oldest woman in the home had the honor of slicing the fowl for
dinner.
Pies were
made well in advance of the holiday and stored and became frozen in dresser
drawers in unheated rooms.
“I like
the idea of pulling out a dresser drawer for, say, a clean pair of socks, and
finding mince pies,” said Picard, tongue in cheek.
Indeed!
Have a
BLESSED Thanksgiving!
Author Bio
Elaine
Marie Cooper grew up in Massachusetts but now lives in the Midwest with her
husband, her three dogs and one huge cat. She has two married sons and triplet
grandchildren who are now one years old. The Promise of Deer Run is
dedicated to the triplets and to veterans who suffer from Post Traumatic Stress
Disorder.Elaine has been a magazine freelance writer for many years, and is a
regular contributor to a blog on the Midwest called The Barn Door
(www.thebarndoor.net) and a blog on Christian living called Reflections In
Hindsight (ReflectionsInHindsight.wordpress.com). She is the author of The
Road to Deer Run and the sequel, The Promise of Deer Run. Prior to
becoming an author, Elaine worked as a registered nurse.
Saying
good bye to a loved one leaving for war is a gut-wrenching proposition. But for
those left behind, their deployment marks the beginning of our
battle. And yet, it is possible to find God’s peace in the midst of fear and
conquer the terror that lurks in the darkness of doubt. In Fighting Fear:
Winning the War at Home, parents, spouses and siblings recount their
personal journey as God goes before His people during times of spiritual,
physical and military warfare. Learn the secret to living a peace-filled life
when a loved one leaves for battle. Fight fear; win the war at home.
1. Tell us how you got
involved in this project and what you hope will result.
April: It was actually Elaine that alerted me to the project. I knew
instantly that I needed to do my part, in this amazing book. Deployments are a
regular part of my life. I've been there many times, and will be there again.
Besides the Lord, it's been the support of understanding friends that's gotten
me through. That's what this devotional is--friends reaching out to touch the
lives of those who are lonely, fearful, and in need.
Elaine: I got involved in this project when I saw a posting on a
blog that Edie Melson was looking for contributions to a devotional for
families who had a loved one at war—any war. Edie wanted first person accounts
that emphasized various aspects of dealing with the real-life difficulties of
having a loved one on deployment and how, as Christians, our faith was able to
sustain us. Since my own son had been deployed twice, I was able to draw on the
personal angst of a Mom who knows her son is in danger, yet trusting that the
God Who created him would be his shelter in war. What I hoped to impart was my
own real life scenario: already dealing with the loss of my daughter to cancer,
limited support of my family members, and struggling to maintain faith amidst
my own battles on the home front. I hope that by sharing my own moments of both
fear and faith, I can help others walking in my shoes.
2. Can you share a little
summary of your contribution to the book?
April: When I heard about the project, my husband was in the middle
of an eight month deployment in Baghdad. I knew instantly I needed to be a part
of Fighting Fear, but it took months for the Lord to guide me in exactly
what to write. It was over the holidays at a small town post office that God
used an elderly woman and her generosity to sooth my ache. Needing to be a
constant pillar of strength for my kids, I didn't know how scared and lonely I
was until that kind stranger gave me permission to cry. God's strength and
comfort comes in many forms and it's those forms this book addresses.
Elaine: I couldn’t believe the title of my son’s e-mail: “In the Sandbox.”
My breathing quickened as I clicked to open it.
There were the words that made my heart lurch and my soul cry out. My son was
actually in Iraq on the ground.
He’s supposed to be in
the Persian Gulf on his aircraft carrier,
I thought. Tears were pouring down my cheeks. Why is he there, on the
ground?
My son Ben explained in
his note that he had been flown into the country from “the boat” to help
coordinate flying missions. It was an honor and spoke highly of his character
and leadership ability.
But that’s my son, I cried out to God. This isn’t fair.
I
remembered telling my children for years that life was not always fair. Never
had it seemed more unfair than three years prior to Ben’s deployment, when my
only daughter was taken from us, the victim of a brain tumor. Before she had
been diagnosed with this devastating cancer, the horror of 9-11 had occurred,
prompting Ben to join the Navy and defend our nation. So while my husband and I
fought our daughter’s cancer battle at home, Ben was sent to Florida to train
to go to war in the Middle East. In May of 2006 he left for Iraq.
3. What was it like to write
about this experience?
April: It was tough! But good for me. Writing it freshened the
experience and its encouragement. It reminded me of God's sovereignty and love.
Elaine: Writing about my experience was heartbreaking. Even now
reading it, the tears begin to flow. I don't know that the passage of time ever
removes the deep, painful times from a mother's heart. And knowing that in 2012
he could be deployed again only adds to the distress. Yet the God Who watched
over my son in 2006 is still watching over him today—and tomorrow as well.
4. Have you connected with
others and/or learned something in the process of this project?
April: I've been amazed at how eager and desperate people are for
encouragement during deployments. Not only family members but friends, as well,
who want to do something to help. Many have already told me they can't wait for
the release so they can buy the book for someone in need.
Elaine: Other than April and Edie, I have not connected with any
of the other contributors as yet. I want to read the whole compilation of
stories before reaching out to the others on a more personal basis as we share
our struggles as fellow fighters of fear.
5. Anything else? Thanks for the opportunity to share about this much
needed book. The war in the Middle East is now the longest war in American
history. Our troops are weary. Their families are falling apart. Fighting
Fear couldn't have come at a better time.
About The Promise of Deer Run: America’s war
for freedom from England has been over for seven years, but the wounds of that
conflict still haunt the minds and hearts of the residents of Deer Run. Young
American veteran Nathaniel Stearns has withdrawn to a life of isolation as he
awaits his father who never returned from the war.
A
near-tragedy in the woods brings Nathaniel face-to-face with nineteen-year-old
Sarah Thomsen, someone he had long admired but he assumed had eyes for another.
This chance encounter opens a crack into the door of his heart as mutual
affection quickly blooms.
But slander and lies soon mar the budding romance,
rendering both Sarah and Nathaniel wounded and untrusting as their faith in
both their God and each other is shattered. Set in 1790, this book continues the
story of the Thomsen and Lowe families as they struggle to survive in the
aftermath of the war that birthed the United States.
About the Author:Elaine
Marie Cooper grew up in Massachusetts but now lives in the Midwest with her
husband, her three dogs and one huge cat. She has two married sons and triplet
grandchildren who are now one years old. The Promise of Deer Run
is dedicated to the triplets and to veterans who suffer from Post Traumatic
Stress Disorder. Elaine has been a magazine freelance writer for many years,
and is a regular contributor to a blog on the Midwest called The Barn Door and a blog on Christian
living called Reflections
In Hindsight.
She is the author of The Road to Deer Run and the sequel, The
Promise of Deer Run.
Prior to becoming an author, Elaine worked as a registered nurse.
An Absolutely Charming Tale!
Once again, Elaine Marie Cooper pens an absolutely charming tale of eighteenth century Americana. War, no matter the era, takes its toll on both soldiers and families. The Promise of Deer Run is a precious next story following Mary and Daniel’s story in The Road to Deer Run, picking up with Mary’s sister, Sarah a few years down the line. Be sure to read the first book too! As a historian and author, I am grateful to Elaine for her dedication to authenticity.
—Lisa Lickel, author of A Summer in Oakville
Leave a comment with your e-mail here by November 18 to be
entered into a drawing for the following: Winner announced November 21, 2011.
Grand Prize (Retail Value: $297.38) Contains:• Basket • $25
Starbucks gift card • Spode Christmas teapot • Spode Christmas mugs • Yankee
candle • Hardbound copy The Road to Deer Run • Hardbound copy The Promise of
Deer Run • Bath and Body Paris Amour scent
About The Promise of Deer Run:
America’s war for freedom from England has been over for seven years, but the wounds of that conflict still haunt the minds and hearts of the residents of Deer Run. Young American veteran Nathaniel Stearns has withdrawn to a life of isolation as he awaits his father who never returned from the war.
A near-tragedy in the woods brings Nathaniel face-to-face with nineteen-year-old Sarah Thomsen, someone he had long admired but he assumed had eyes for another. This chance encounter opens a crack into the door of his heart as mutual affection quickly blooms.
But slander and lies soon mar the budding romance, rendering both Sarah and Nathaniel wounded and untrusting as their faith in both their God and each other is shattered. Set in 1790, this book continues the story of the Thomsen and Lowe families as they struggle to survive in the aftermath of the war that birthed the United States.
The Promise of Deer Run
ISBN: 9781462037964
Softcover: $16.95
ISBN: 9781462037971
Hardcover: $26.95
ISBN: 1462037968
E-book: $9.99
Released: August 16, 2011
In book one, The Road to Deer Run and now in the sequel, The Promise of Deer Run, I made every effort to stay true to the colonial times. Descriptions of food, homes, clothing, farming, worship practices, medical care, etc. are the result of extensive research.
It has been a personally inspiring experience to write these novels. While the times have changed since the 18th century, the same struggles of their day are our own. Forgiveness, fear, pain, illness, despair, the pain of having a family member at war, the death of a loved one—these are all the battles we contend with in the 21st century. But we also share faith, laughter, love, the excitement of that first kiss, the wonder of looking at a newborn. These are the same joys that we share with our ancestors who are so much a part of who we are.
Their journeys are interwoven with our own.
Leave a comment with your e-mail here by November 18 to be entered into a drawing for the following: Winner announced November 21, 2011.
Grand Prize (Retail Value: $297.38) Contains:
• Basket
• $25 Starbucks gift card
• Spode Christmas teapot
• Spode Christmas mugs
• Yankee candle
• Hardbound copy The Road to Deer Run
• Hardbound copy The Promise of Deer Run
• Bath and Body Paris Amour scent
ON THURSDAY, COME BACK TO READ THE STORY BEHIND THE STORY AND SEE THE TRAILER.
1777. Massachusetts Colony. Red Coats. Continental Army. Well, we know who didn’t win, but now we have another story behind the scenes. And the best part is that The Road to Deer run is based on family history.
The Thomsen family has already lost husband and father, a young brother to the ravages of hostile environment and the Revolution; another brother is currently serving in the war effort. Widow Ruth Thomsen is left to run her farm with the help of her eldest and youngest daughters. Deer Run settlers are a close-knit community, and the widow is also a healer and midwife. When Mary Thomsen makes a disturbing discovery on the family property, she must decide whether or not to keep the secret.
Daniel Lowe is a young Lieutenant in his majesty’s forces, wounded and taken prisoner after the loss at the Battle of Saratoga. Daniel’s physical wound is secondary to the loss of his young brother, who had died in his arms. Daniel accepted his fate when a Continental saber threatened to end his life, but Daniel’s life was spared. As a prisoner, the lieutenant attempted to keep his fellow soldiers’ spirits up on the terrible march to Boston, even knowing his festering gunshot wound would end his life sooner than later. Hoping for a lonely place to crawl off and die, Daniel takes advantage of a distraction and escapes…or so he thinks. He may not only lose his leg, but also his heart to a lovely American woman.
It doesn’t take long for Daniel to appreciate the cause of the Americans and for Mary to give him her heart.
Told in a dynamic flowing omniscient voice, Cooper’s story unfolds with the coziness of a family hearthside story. The fact that she based this lovely little story on her own family history makes it that much more precious. Well-done research and interesting farming and government details make The Road to Deer Run a very sweet historical love story.
She's got a pretty cool trailer on her web site too!
Reverend G (short for Gertrude) has always managed her
difficult life with grace and courage and, until now, with all her memory
intact. But the insidious and premature onset of Alzheimer’s has completely
thrown this associate pastor into life-altering questions. Will her loved ones
still love her? Will she turn “looney?” Will she lose the joy of God’s love?
Or, even worse, forget about God? These are fears she lives with—and cannot
stand.
