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When Every Day Matters: A Mother's Memoir on Love, Loss and Life | 
 enlarge | Author: Mary Jane Brant
Publisher: Simple Abundance Press
Category: Book
List Price: $21.95
Buy New: $13.65
You Save: $8.30 (38%)
New (14) Used (6) from $11.72
Avg. Customer Rating:  20 reviews
Sales Rank: 106519
Media: Paperback
Number Of Items: 1
Pages: 300
Shipping Weight (lbs): 1
Dimensions (in): 9 x 6 x 0.8
ISBN: 0981780903
EAN: 9780981780900
ASIN: 0981780903
Publication Date: October 1, 2008
Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days
Shipping: International shipping available
Condition: Brand New, Perfect Condition, Please allow 4-14 business days for delivery. 100% Money Back Guarantee, Over 1,000,000 customers served.
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Product Description
There are painful moments in life when we think we shall never recover: the end of a long-standing marriage, a devastating diagnosis, the catastrophic loss of our home or our livelihood. Then, there are moments in which we wish we'll never recover: when a child is wrenched from us through accident, illness, an act of cruel violence, a drunk driver, lost hope or war. In her courageous book, When Every Day Matters, M.J. Hurley Brant chronicles the first year of living without her beloved daughter, Katie Brant. For ten years Katie and her family lived with the diagnosis, treatment and progression of brain cancer. MJ shares with us not the story of a life lost through tragedy, but the legacy of a renewed life filled with grace, compassion, wisdom and choice. A life in which Every Day Matters. Living with grief is a lonely journey, but you don't have to do it alone. Within these pages you will find a reassuring companion who knows what you are going through because she's been there. From practical reminders to drink more water so that your body does not suffer the effects of dehydration on top of emotional devastation, to creating memory gardens to channel sadness, MJ Hurley Brant's words, suggestions and sentiments will comfort and guide you to an understanding that sometimes the only way we get over the unbearable is by going through it.
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| Customer Reviews: Read 15 more reviews...
 Heartfelt but Structurally Flawed November 10, 2008
3 out of 4 found this review helpful
Motivated by a moving article in the Philadelphia Inquirer, I recently read "When Every Day Matters" by Mary Jane Hurley Brant. It is difficult to write negatively about such a poignant and heartfelt message as found in its pages. Nevertheless, I must express my reservations as to its merit. I found it rambling, diffuse, and structurally flawed. Instead of a succinct, focussed and clearly explained account of a harrowing journey through grief and pain, it too often veered into descriptions of seemingly unrelated episodes. The long account of the author's response to the death of her father, the detailed narrative of the loss of the dog Beauty, the episode of a family meeting, and intermittent digressions about in-laws changed the focus of the book thereby diffusing its overall therapeutic effect.
Some minor errors appear. St. Thomas More's name is misspelled as Moore, confusing him with Thomas Moore, a 19th century poet. William Hazlitt is identified as "the Irish Protestant" rather than as the celebrated English essayist. In addition, I found the appellation "Dear Reader" cloying and sentimental.
Aside from these flaws, the book shows a genuine depth of feeling and of faith as it honors the courage and character of the author's daughter, Katie. Those grieving the loss of a child may find it helpful and a source of comfort.
 It is a gift to oneself to read this book. November 10, 2008
2 out of 4 found this review helpful
This is the remarkable, inspiring, story of a woman who faced the unthinkable, the unimaginable...the loss of a child...her beautiful, spiritual, life infused daughter, Katie. Mary Jane Brant's own growth and choice to live on and mulitply her own positive impact on others with this book honors Katie's memory more than anything else could.
It is a gift to read this book and it will be my gift to many friends and clients because it helps us face the small and large losses inherant in living every day...and it helps us choose to be happy in the face of anything.
What a gift! November 10, 2008
2 out of 3 found this review helpful
I was so pleased to come across this beautiful book. Ms. Brant offers us an intimate portrayal of the relationship between her and her remarkable daughter, Katie. She writes of the long journey they shared during the sickness and eventual death of Katie from pediatric brain cancer. This book is a triumph in its contribution to anyone dealing with a serious loss. As a Marriage and Family Therapist, I have had many opportunities to recommend this book to my clients. It serves as a useful and poignant handbook to help us navigate the lonely, and often, scary territory of personal loss. Thank you, Ms. Brant, for opening your soul in the service of others.
Patricia Williamson, Marriage and Family Therapist
What gift to all of us! November 10, 2008
3 out of 5 found this review helpful
As the mother of three children, I approached this book with fear but with the trust that the author, a renowned psychotherapist would treat the reader with care, respect and with an authentic experience in relaying the deeply painful story of the loss of her daughter. I did not believe I could bear to share the pain of a mother's worst nightmare. Instead, I learned about the life of an extraordinary young woman for whom 5 brain surgeries and her encroaching mortality were not enough to dissuade her joyful and contagious pursuit of her life purpose - to help children diagnosed with brain tumors. For her mother, the choice to put aside her own terror, to embrace her daughter's indominable spirit and to make a way for her daughter's compelling life vision constituted amazing selflessness and unconditional love.
I am only an ordinary woman, a mother. Am I capable of rearing an extraordinary child and then releasing her not only to her dreams but to her death? We learn in this book that all things are, indeed, possible and that the strength and grace we need to triumph over anything is within us.
I have recommended this book to mothers and fathers, a brain surgeon and to children of parents who love them more than life. This book will change any reader who doubts the reservoir of grace that waits to be summoned in each of us.
Heartwarming, Inspirational and Well Written November 10, 2008
1 out of 2 found this review helpful
I could not put this book down! Reading about Katie's life as well as her bravery and moxy while dealing with terminal illness is so very heartwarming. I found the author's addition of inspirational quotes and looking back reflections to be extremely comforting. I have personally suffered multiple family losses over a very short period of time. We can only bury our sorrow and grief for so long. Every day really does matter! Life goes on .....with sorrow, memories and new experiences.
When Every Day Matters will bring comfort to anyone who has suffered from loss.
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