What started as a project to capture some of her funny childhood memories in writing, evolved into a conscious awareness of little nuggets of widsom she'd gained through many of those experiences. It was in the writing where God began to open her heart to specific truths she had never before considered, including her most painful childhood experiences -- the ones she never intended to put into writing. As a result, her memoirs are a mixture of humor, inspiration and faith, that will not only have you laughing but will touch your heart as well.

Memories are the key not to the past, but to the future. -Corrie Ten Boom Life brings simple pleasures to us everyday. It is up to us to make them wonderful memories. -Cathy Allen In this unique, heartfelt, and often humorous collection of true, childhood stories, Cherished Memories encourages you to recall your happiest of memories-and make new ones as well-as you voyage back in time alongside of a young Nathan Cool growing up in scenic Appalachia and rural America. Nathan Cool's endearing memoirs will tug at your heartstrings and tickle your funny bone. But during this enchanting journey down memory lane, you will also be invited to reflect upon your most joyous moments from yesteryear while pondering thought-provoking quotes, facts and insights showing the genesis and significance of reminiscence. As you stroll through scenic woodlands with trout-laden streams, snow covered landscapes and lush, grassy meadows, you'll hear tales from elders, and taste the down-home foods from days gone by. As you experience Nathan Cool's dearest memories and understand their origins, you are sure to find long lost treasures that are indeed your, very own, Cherished Memories.

As Christian women we live in a foreign world where private parts and sexual preferences make it onto Facebook and Instagram; but talking about the frustrations and resentments of balancing babies in diapers and parents in Depends is taboo. Want to clear a room? Just talk about testicular or breast cancer, how your bowels are in an uproar, or that you and your bladder know every clean bathroom in a 100 mile radius of your home. When it comes to discussing medical issues, we are virtually an island unto ourselves. Afraid to ask, fear of knowing and weary of worry - these runaway feelings leave us wondering how we are to survive medical mayhem. Surviving Medical Mayhem explores, educates and empowers the reader to experience the many avenues that medical issues take us down through candid, tell it like it is medical parables. Difficult subjects are treated with grace and honesty using humor to cushion the pain, and Gods word to light the way. Gain God's perspective as you learn not only how to handle the outbreaks but to see the message behind the issues. Surviving Medical Mayhem brings help, hope, and honesty to inspire Christian women at a time when everything is discussed except what is really important: It's a prescription for healing with injections of humor for the soul that bring the reader from pressed to blessed.

Passed and Present is a one-of-a-kind guide for discovering creative and meaningful ways to keep the memory of loved ones alive. Inspiring and imaginative, this bona fide "how-to” manual teaches us how to remember those we miss most, no matter how long they’ve been gone. Passed and Present is not about sadness and grieving. It is about happiness and remembering. It is possible to look forward, to live a rich and joyful life, while keeping the memory of loved ones alive. This much-needed, easy-to-use roadmap shares 85 imaginative ways to celebrate and honor family and friends we never want to forget. Chapter topics include: Repurpose With Purpose: Ideas for transforming objects and heirlooms. Discover ways to reimagine photographs, jewelry, clothing, letters, recipes, and virtually any inherited item or memento. Use Technology: Strategies for your daily, digital life. Opportunities for using computers, scanners, printers, apps, mobile devices, and websites. Not Just Holidays: Tips for remembrance any time of year, day or night, whenever you feel that pull, be it a loved one’s birthday, an anniversary, or just a moment when a memory catches you by surprise. Monthly Guide: Christmas, Thanksgiving, Mother’s Day, Father’s Day, and other special times of year present unique challenges and opportunities. This chapter provides exciting ideas for making the most of them while keeping your loved one’s memory alive. Places to Go: Destinations around the world where reflecting and honoring loved ones is a communal activity. This concept is called Commemorative Travel. Also included are suggestions for incorporating aspects of these foreign traditions into your practices at home. Being proactive about remembering loved ones has a powerful and unexpected benefit: it can make you happier. The more we incorporate memories into our year-round lives as opposed to sectioning them off to a particular time of year, the more we can embrace the people who have passed, and all that’s good and fulfilling in our present. With beautiful illustrations throughout by artist Jennifer Orkin Lewis,Passed and Present also includes an introduction by Hope Edelman, bestselling author of Motherless Daughters.

Memories, those cherished fragments of time that we carry with us, each holding a unique essence that shapes who we are. Among the multitude that resides within the chambers of our mind, there are a few that glimmer with an irreplaceable warmth. Among these memories, there are those that we cherish, like precious jewels nestled within the recesses of our minds. They reassure us that no matter where life may lead, we carry within us a treasure trove of cherished moments to light the way. Cherished memories have the power to uplift and inspire us, even in the darkest of times. They are sparks of light that pierce through the shadows of adversity, reminding us of the beauty, resilience and hope that exist within the human spirit. When we find ourselves facing challenges or uncertainty, it is often these cherished memories that offer solace and encouragement, serving as reminders of the strength and courage that reside within us. Furthermore, cherished memories enrich our lives with a sense of gratitude and appreciation for the moments of beauty and joy that we have been fortunate enough to experience. They are imbued with the warmth of nostalgia, the sweetness of gratitude and the power of love. They remind us that life is not measured by the number of breaths we take, but by the moments that take our breath away. Amidst the hustle and bustle of life, it’s vital to pause and honor these cherished moments, recognizing their significance and embracing their transformative power. They teach us to embrace the present, cherish the bonds we share and find solace in the beauty of life's simplest pleasures. In the grand tapestry of our existence, cherished memories are the threads that weave together a narrative of love, resilience and profound human connection, leaving an indelible imprint on our hearts and minds for eternity. Ms. Zeenat Barkatali Merchant

Sixteen women from all walks of life share their stories of widowhood in this “wonderful collection of ‘life after loss’ experiences” (Natalie Treadwell, founder of Food for Life). When author and life coach Mary Francis found herself widowed at fifty, she turned to other widows for support, understanding, and answers. Now she shares some of the stories that helped her find a new beginning for herself in The Sisterhood of Widows. This powerful book of healing contains sixteen true stories from women who reflect on their lives after the death of their husbands. These women, whose husbands died from accidents, cancer, heart attacks, and even suicide, share their stories openly and honestly. Every widow handles loss differently, yet there is a common bond they share that makes them part of a sisterhood. And each widow’s story provides guidance and insight into the journey of perseverance through grief.