Since today is Cinco de Mayo, instead of "Thank you," I will say, "Gracias" to everyone who followed my posts during the A to Z April challenge. "Gracias," for your thoughtful comments and your encouragement; and "Gracias," for your friendship and kindness.
The 26 vignettes have been removed, and after some editing, they will be compiled into my book in progress entitled Hold My Hand.
The book is about Mrs. MacMillan, an elderly resident of a nursing home who suffers from Alzheimer's dementia. The reader will follow her good and bad days, her confused and lucid moments, and the underlying love story that spices the series.
Although the character and the story are both fictional, the vignettes are based on events I observed in patients with dementia. The story centers on Mrs. MacMillan and what she possibly thinks and feels.
"Gracias" to Nancy Pearce, author of Inside Alzheimer's: How to Hear and Honor Connections with a Person who has Dementia who inspired and encouraged me to continue with this project. These were her insightful words:
Dear Doris,
Thank you so much for your expressions which touch my heart deeply. I am excited to hear your approach to writing about dementia from a more personal perspective...we need more books that help readers get out of their heads/perspectives and encourage the opening of heart-understandings of the person who has dementia. This, of course, is the reason for my own writings in the form of telling stories.
Good luck with your journey!
With many blessings,
Nancy.
Finally, special "gracias" to Arlee Bird, the creator of the A to Z April Challenge, a wonderful blogger friend and mentor.
25 comments:
That's so great that you'll compiling a book from the vignettes. I for one enjoyed them very much.
Happy Cinco de Mayo!
I am so glad to hear you'll be incorporating those wonderful vignettes into your book. I look forward to the book being available!
Looking forward to the book, Doris.
Hi Doris .. that's great to hear you're going to add another book to your repertoire - I love having last year's book here to refer to ..
Congratulations on Mrs MacMillan - these were special stories ..
You certainly deserve the recognition you're getting in opening up people's minds to the vagaries of Dementia ..
Cheers Hilary
Gracias to you Doris dor a most interesting and wonderful post in the A to Z.
Good luck with your book.
Yvonne.
It was a wonderful Challenge this year. I only wish I'd had more time to visit everyone!
so many things to love about you and your blog. I appreciate that you do this complex and consuming work, and that you are using the experience to enrich and inform many others about how to be a help to our loved ones. I also have a book or two inside me and need others like you to inspire me to "let it out".
God bless you, and your work and your writing!
Delighted to hear that your A to Z stories will become a book, Doris! I've loved reading them and just know the book will be very special.
This is a very good planning. Your book will be special for most people including me. Congratulations!
It's great that you came out of the Challenge with something usable. It sounds like it will make a difference to those who are dealing with persons who suffer from dementia.
Congratulations on completing the A to Z Challenge for 2012. The experience this year and last left me exhausted for about a week, even though I had written all my posts in advance!
Yesterday, at our local Book and Music Festival, I listened to speaker Dr. Lani Leary offer wonderful advice from her book No One Has to Die Alone.
http://gail-baugniet.blogspot.com/2012/05/fast-five-author-interview-with-kate.html
YOU, here giving thanks (gracias) to everyone. While that is noble of you (and I'm sure you are a grateful Peep!)
it is definitely you. YOU, Ma'am, who I thank for four weeks of education and entertainment, and gave each of us (me) an opportunity to look into myself, check my spiritual condition, and grow just a tad more.
BRAVA!
PEACE!
Steve
I thought as I was reading that your stories would make a great book! Hurrah!
Dearest Doris,
You did a great job and no doubt the book will turn out to be a good one too. Cinco de Mayo is a special day, also it is the Dutch Liberation Day. Often the young generation doesn´t stop and think about it but we pray and hope that Freedom will last!
Love to you,
Mariette
De nada!
Even though I haven't been a faithful follower, I do try to touch base with all blogs that I follow on occasion.
Much success with your book!
Congratulations on completing the challenge and on your reflections post!
Hi Doris, I enjoyed your stories VERY MUCH! I am glad to know that you are incorporating them into a book, and I can't wait to read it.
Kathy M.
I came back to read the ending of your A to Z and it's gone, guess I'll just have to wait for the book.
I need to get that book. I have thoughts of writing a play with a family member who has Alzheimer's. You did so well with this story, Doris.
Great idea!!!!
I apologize for not visiting during the Challenge. April was a busy month on its own; the Challenge had me scrambling for time (even tho I'd written posts ahead). But I'm looking forward to reading your book.
Thank you for the wonderful reflections on the lives of the elderly.
My mom now resides in Assisted Living and to day I heard that her "neighbor" had died. Tomorrow is the memorial. I find that although she lives apart from me, I am still learning.
Your blog helps many the book is a great thing. B
I will enjoy this next book, as much as I enjoyed, "Home Sweet Nursing Home." You touch the hearts of many. Many blessings to you!
Thanks for the acknowledgement. Glad to hear that you're going to do another book as a result of the Challenge. Don't forget that we now have the A to Z Challenge Blog that will be more than happy to give you a special day on the site to promote the book when it's ready.
We love hearing your A to Z success stories.
Lee
An A to Z Co-Host
Tossing It Out
Oh this is such good news. I hope you will add a link to how to purchase it once it comes out. I cannot wait. Your A-Z made April wonderful.
And since I do not see another way to contact you... Thank you for following both my blogs; I am truly honored. Sending blessing and a prayer for you beautiful heart. xo
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