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Liked It1 of 1 members found this review helpful “Kate is one of the most powerful communicators that I know. She is able to totally take her emotions and place them inside the readers heart. You will not read this book and not be moved. And you will not look at death the same way, ever again. |
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“The memoirist (Is that a word?) is a mother of four, widow and game warden chaplain. She relays facts and feeling about all of her life rolls. Her writing is honest, down to earth, sometimes sad, sometimes heart wrenching, sometimes funny, and always interesting.
Karen wrote this review 11 days ago. ( reply | permalink ) Was this review helpful? Yes | No
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“This is an exceptional book.
Cindy B wrote this review Saturday, October 24 2009. ( reply | permalink ) Was this review helpful? Yes | No
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“In 1996, Kate Braestrup's husband, a Maine state trooper, died in a car accident. Kate and her four children were left to absorb the terrible shock. In the time of grief that followed, Kate decided to take up a dream that her husband had looked forward to for himself after retirement: she studied to become a minister. This led her to a job serving as chaplain for search-and-rescue missions in the Maine woods. She became the one that the wardens would call to come sit with the family as they went off to search for the child or husband or sister who had gone missing. Kate sits with the anguished family members, listening, offering patience and understanding, giving last rites when the loved one is found dead. Out of her own grief, and then through this profound way of helping others, Kate develops a faith that is real, solid, and strong. She learns, and then shares with others, how to see and feel God in the midst of pain and crisis. Kate can fluctuate between making us laugh with her easy (and sometimes blunt) sense of humor, and then making us cry as she helps someone through an awful situation. And I think these are the strengths that make her so good at what she does. She can ache for someone, helping them through with compassionate strength, and she can also find comic relief when she needs it. Kate has some different beliefs than I do—for instance, she doesn't believe in a life after death. And yet, I am touched and helped by her amazing ability to recognize God's love, and how that comes straight through those wonderful people, like herself, who come to the aid of those in need.”
Karin C wrote this review Tuesday, October 6 2009. ( reply | permalink ) Was this review helpful? Yes | No
“I found this woman's story to be interesting and enjoyed her descriptive writing style. It was an easy read and I finished it in just a couple days.”
Renae M wrote this review Wednesday, September 9 2009. ( reply | permalink ) Was this review helpful? Yes | No
“A bit gross in some parts, but a very good and inspiring read.”
Rob M wrote this review Thursday, September 3 2009. ( reply | permalink ) Was this review helpful? Yes | No
“This is a thought-provoking but funny piece of writing. Braestrup uses the death of her husband, her grief, and her new career as a Unitarian-Universalist minister serving as chaplain of the Maine Game Warden Service to illustrate her belief that God is love. Followers of any other religion will probably find ideas with which to argue but the author clearly has such a giving heart that it's impossible to dislike her, even if you don't agree with her. The writing style is challenging - bits of her home life are parsed with bits of her work life to ultimately make a point - and some readers in my book club felt she didn't include enough detail about her kids or new husband but the point of the book is less memoir and more testifying to a nonjudgmental, all-inclusive view of God and religion. She does include graphic details of death but always toward providing the reader with a new experience - preparing a body for cremation, death in the woods, the dangers faced by search and rescue personnel, etc.”
bookappeal wrote this review Saturday, August 1 2009. ( reply | permalink ) Was this review helpful? Yes | No
“ This was a really great read! Although not outwardly religious, I find it exciting to read about those who live their lives trying to follow God's plan. For Ms. Braestrup, that involves working as the chaplain for a group of Wildlife Search and Rescue Operatives.
Jennifer Wardrip wrote this review Sunday, July 26 2009. ( reply | permalink ) Was this review helpful? Yes | No
This book isn't just about religion -- it's about the author's desire to both follow her heart and honor her deceased husband's dream, and about helping others in the only way she knew how.
Very encouraging and uplifting, this is basically just an all-around good read. ”
“Incredible. Thoughtful. Poignant. I found myself at times reading, with tears dripping down my face, unable to stop crying as she described the death of her husband and the ways that her family has dealt with this devastating loss.”
Krista T wrote this review Wednesday, July 15 2009. ( reply | view 1 replies | permalink ) Was this review helpful? Yes | No
“Awesome book! She's an amazing lady. Well written and insightful.”
Claudia wrote this review Wednesday, July 15 2009. ( reply | permalink ) Was this review helpful? Yes | No
“This book is so touching. I love the tenderness and love with which the author goes about her work and her daily life. Very inspirational. I want to read it again.”
my4giraffes wrote this review Sunday, July 12 2009. ( reply | permalink ) Was this review helpful? Yes | No
