Do You like book Hannah's Gift: Lessons From A Life Fully Lived (2003)?
This is a great read that will make you laugh and cry at the same time. The thought-provoking words that 3 yr. olds come up with are hilarious. Hannah knows that she is dying but that doesn't stop her from living life to the fullest. She knows what she wants and nothing is gonna stop her from getting it. We see that when she is determined to wear her red patent-leather shoes into surgery. Her brother,Will who is 5, is amazing also. They get along so well & have deep conversations about her illness in their own way;a child's version of death and dying.We also read how her mother dealt with Hannah's death after she was gone. Even though she had 2 little babies to care for, she went into a deep depression over Hannah's death & it took her a few years to deal with it. Every year on Hannah's birthday, they celebrate it with a cake and balloons. She also learned that one doesn't need to be perfect nor should your spouse expect you to be perfect. JUST LIVE!!
—Suzanne
This is a true account told by the mother of a little girl who suddenly develops a rare cancer and has a year to live. The diagnosis comes about a month before her 3rd birthday and she passes away 2 weeks before her 4th. Contrary to what it may sound like, this book, though at times heartwrenching, is truly a tale of hope, love, and life. Despite her mother being fairly honest with her in response to her questions, Hannah lives happily, fully, and without fear of her imminent death. The parents faced numerous difficult decisions regarding treatment plans, surgeries, etc. But throughout it all they are grateful for the gift of Hannah in her final weeks and days, vibrant (at least in spirit) until the end. The story does not end with her death, it continues with the months and years of coping, grieving, surviving, and eventually emerging from darkness and into a life that commands to be lived fully.
—Audrey
I have never in my life cried while reading a book. I've gotten choked up and maybe even shed a tear, but never, never have I actually had tears streaming down my face. If I had one tenth of the strength Maria Housden had I'd be above average in the strength department. How Mrs. Housden manages to go on after losing Hannah and then to help others is beyond me. I honestly don't think I could do it. I'd lay down and die. On page 3 I started crying. I was on and off crying until about three quarters of the way through when it wasn't turning off anymore. Mrs. Housden gave the entire world a gift by writing this book. She writes in an almost elegant way, she manages to bring the joy she felt with and about Hannah through to the readers even while she let the world in on what it was like when Hannah was dying. The book encompasses Hannah's life from age three- her last year alive to a few years after her death. She was diagnosed with a rare form of cancer and given less than a year to live. At three years old. Mrs. Housden speaks about her husband and her other children a little bit to let the reader get an idea of the rest of the family's perspective. The individual stories are absolutely heartbreaking. Her older brother Will telling his mom that he'll never say no to Hannah when she asks to sleep in his room again broke my heart. The story of when Hannah found the red shoes in Stride Rite brought a different kind of tear to my eyes. Seeing how Hannah embraced life with so much celebration, Mrs. Housden was able to let go of some issued while learning other, very important, lessons that most of us will never, ever learn. I'm so, so happy I not only found this book, but was able to read it. I waited a long time for my daughter, who happens to be the same age as Hannah when she was diagnosed, and even though I already knew enough to cherish every moment with her, this book brought it home even more. Learning about the relationship between Hannah and her mom makes it hurt even more to think so many children never get the chance to know that unconditional love and pure joy. Every mother, even the ones like myself who had to wait for their child and who know the fear of never getting to hold a baby of their own, could learn a lot from this book and this super-woman/mom. It's a hard, hard, hard book to read.....but worth it every step of the way.
—Eva Leger
