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Summary: An Incredible, Beautiful, Sad Journey
Review: Beginning with John Gunther's DEATH BE NOT PROUD, there have been many poignant and touching books written, tragically, by parents who have lost beloved children. Hannah's Gift is different than all becuse it is the story of a very young girl who died at the age of four of cancer, but whose lasting legacy was to change the lives of all who loved her -- and, at the same time, live the end of her much too short life with dignity, grace and joy. It is also beautifully written in very surprising ways that come right off the page and grab a reader who will never forget many of the moments of this amazing book. I am the mother of a seven year old girl, and for me, one of the most astonishing moments in any book I have ever read comes near the end of Hannah's Gift. At Hannah's burial, her mother writes that the family decided to bury Hannah instead of cremate her because "I wanted to be able to come to her grave and know that the little hands I held and the form I had loved were there." Need I say more? The book is a must read for...everyone.
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Summary: Straight from the heart.
Review: Books usually don't keep my attention like this one did. Hannah's Gift was written so honestly and from the heart you can't help but be touched by this little girl's strength and spirit in such a painful time for her and her family. I read this in 2 days and cried many tears also.
I myself don't have any children but that didn't stop me from understanding what this family went through and how important it was for Maria to write this book.
After I was done, I gave it to a friend and asked her to pass it on after that to spread the important message the book has to offer. It's not how long you're on earth, it's what you do while you're here that's important.
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Summary: The Teachings of a Child
Review: Hannah's Gift as been the best book I have read in a long time. It made me laugh and it made me cry, but I also learned many things while reading this outstanding book. During the story, Hannah teaches everyone around her many things about life and how to live it to the fullest. Even though she knows she is sick, she does everything a little kid would do. I recommend this book to everyone who knows or has a friend with cancer. It will definitely help you get through the situation and make you feel better as a person.
Rating:
Summary: The Teachings of a Child
Review: Hannah's Gift as been the best book I have read in a long time. It made me laugh and it made me cry, but I also learned many things while reading this outstanding book. During the story, Hannah teaches everyone around her many things about life and how to live it to the fullest. Even though she knows she is sick, she does everything a little kid would do. I recommend this book to everyone who knows or has a friend with cancer. It will definitely help you get through the situation and make you feel better as a person.
Rating:
Summary: Hannah's Gift
Review: Hannah's Gift was an excellent book. It really showed the emotions both the cancer patient and the loved ones felt. It would be a great reference if you are dealing with a loved one having cancer because it tells a lot about how Hannah's mother feels throughout Hannah's ordeal. It also answers a lot of questions that a cancer patient might be afraid of asking. For anyone going through a hard time, this book would be a great source of help. It gives lessons on joy, faith, courage, hope, and wonder. While i was reading it, I was going through tough times and it helped me think about the things that were going on in my life and it helped loosen the knot around my heart. It doesn't so much tell about cancer, but it deals with emotions and decisions wonderfully.
Rating:
Summary: Hannah's Gift
Review: Hannah's Gift was an excellent book. It really showed the emotions both the cancer patient and the loved ones felt. It would be a great reference if you are dealing with a loved one having cancer because it tells a lot about how Hannah's mother feels throughout Hannah's ordeal. It also answers a lot of questions that a cancer patient might be afraid of asking. For anyone going through a hard time, this book would be a great source of help. It gives lessons on joy, faith, courage, hope, and wonder. While i was reading it, I was going through tough times and it helped me think about the things that were going on in my life and it helped loosen the knot around my heart. It doesn't so much tell about cancer, but it deals with emotions and decisions wonderfully.
Rating:
Summary: Straight to the Heart
Review: I read Hannah's Gift in an evening. The painful yet beautiful way that Maria Housden tells the story of her daughter's last year on earth left me crying and remembering my own daugher's third and fourth years (she is now 6). I closed the book deeply touched by Hannah, Maria and Will, the brave older brother whose love is tender and strong. The lessons that Housden shares, like the importance of letting go of the fear of what others will think, are poignant. Hannah's illness and death force her mother to break through what seems important to what truly is. Three-year-olds have an amazing capacity to be in the moment. It is something I will work to remember in my own life and with my own children.
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Summary: Hannah was a brilliant, fascinating little girl.
Review: I think everything I would have said, has been said, except for one thing. It is plain to see that Maria Housden's children were/are both exceptionally gifted children.Little Hannah was extraordinarily verbal, and good at putting her feelings into words at a very young age. She was a loving child with a keen sense of humor, lots of good healthy spunk, and an excellent and sensitive intelligence. By the time three year old Hannah nears her dying, I find myself loving her as though I had known her all her life, and grieving myself. That is how well her mother lets us be acquainted with her daughter. And that is a tremendous gift. I would think that this book would be very comforting, and also very informative for anyone whose child has terminal cancer. As for everyone else in the world - this book lets us look in a precious quiet peek-hole to the life, hilarity, imagination, and laughter of a fascinating, precocious little girl. Thank you, Maria! May God bless you and yours.
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Summary: Grateful for Hannah's Gift
Review: I was moved and inspired by the lessons and truths in this book. One of the lovelist aspects of Hannah's Gift is the way the author shares her story; simply and with such humanity that the messages really reach out and touch you.
A friend of mine says that although having a massage when she hurts is painful it is a 'grateful pain' because she knows it is helping her heal. Hannah's Gift hurt to read but it was a 'grateful pain'.
Maria Housden shares with you her lessons of Truth, Joy, Faith, Compassion and Wonder and illustrates them with intimate recollections of Hannah's last year and the path she travelled in coming to terms with her grief. I felt I was very much carried along on her journey. I was amazed at how the narrative had me crying from the bottom of my heart. There are also moments of touching tenderness and happiness which touched me just as deeply.
I think that Hannah's Gift is much more than just a book for those struggling with grief, it is an inspiration for those seeking to "live all the days of their life".
I bought this book a few days ago and have read it three times since. I have now given it to my Mum and bought another copy for a friend whose father recently died. I highly recommend Hannah's Gift.
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Summary: "Red Shoes"
Review: One wonders if there has been an increase in the sale of red shoes...in all sizes...following the publication of this book...? Red shoes exemplify Hannah's zest for life. As adults, Hannah's story reawakens our own desire for zestful living, our own need for "red shoes." Even though my son Jim died at the age of 23 rather than 3, Hannah's joyous spirit reminded me very much of my son as well as of the many children whose parents I've been honored to meet (following the death of their children). Maria Housden's gentle prose distinguishes this book from many books written by bereaved parents. Hannah's life, rather than her family's grief, is the primary focus of the book. Hannah taught her family great lessons on "how to live life more fully." Hannah's legacy continues as readers learn much about life, death, and grief through Hannah's example. This book should be on the bookshelves of bereaved parents, nurses, physicians, and all caregivers.
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