Blogs by Glenda A Bixler
Standing the Watch - A True Story of Love! 10/15/2008 8:55:11 AM
Check out R. J. Brown, A/D member! I just finished her book, Standing the Watch and was very impressed! You may never know when you will need to care for a loved one. This book gives personal insights and experiences that will be helpful to anybody who loves somebody! Standing The Watch:
The Greatest Gift
By R. J. Brown
Big River Press
ISBN: 978-0-9798744-3-7
You may think by reading the blurbs for Standing the Watch: The Greatest Gift by R. J. Brown that this book is about death and dying. It is not!
This book is about Life! And giving the greatest gift that can be given to a parent or loved-one(s)—giving them the best possible life they can have as they live out their last days, months or years! For my mother, who had been living with me for many years, it was not a time of turmoil as I cared for her. She simply and quietly died in her sleep. I had only one thing to do for her right then—I immediately put a new pair of slippers on her worn feet as she had asked me to do.
But for some individuals, there are not only medical issues to be attended to; there are logistical issues of concern, based upon where a family lives. And then there is the burden that is placed on the caregiver(s) as time goes on and stress and strain develops.
Standing the Watch in its second edition provides not only specific issues to consider, but, more importantly, in my opinion, the writer shares exactly what happens—both the good and the “not so good.”
David and Rebecca had already made a commitment to Lincoln, David’s father, that he would live with them after his wife died. And after many years, as Lincoln’s health failed to a point that he was considered terminal, he asked for another commitment—for him to be allowed to die at home. Standing the Watch is the story that centers in on those final days of Lincoln’s life¾a story that should be read by everyone old enough to understand and grieve at the death of another! It should also be read and taken as a learning tool for pastors, doctors and friends of those who are caregivers!
I found that I could read this story from two sides—as a potential friend of Rebecca and David, as they lived through their pain and worry. The other side, as an individual who could very well be in the role of caring for loved ones in their declining years. This book does not need a review that tells you about the storyline, for we all know what occurs. It does, however, give you specifics about what must be done at that time, in one book, with places to make notes...and with checklists that can be reproduced easily and used!
Rebecca writes this book as if she is sitting, talking to you. You feel her disgust when Lincoln, who had been a missionary, has a pastor who cannot be bothered to visit him during his last days. You see her inclusion of email friends’ notes, which obviously were so meaningful that they kept her and David going when inner strength was sagging. But, no matter what, you will see the love of a family, facing one of the toughest, most life-changing events in anybody’s life—the loss of a loved one.
This book should be on your home bookshelf because you never know when it will be needed—to share with others in the same situation, to learn and brace yourself for the future, or to guide you day by day as you and a loved-one face the dance to the death. Some readers will search for this book at that time; but I urge you to read and be prepared...for Standing the Watch really is about now—and living and loving!
G. A. Bixler
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More Blogs by Glenda A Bixler Have you Checked Out Raw Talent by Dave Ross - Thursday, April 29, 2010 Attention Poets - Wednesday, April 1, 2009 Free Books! - Tuesday, January 6, 2009 Thought for the Day... - Tuesday, January 6, 2009 Welcome My Friend Doug Boren - Saturday, January 3, 2009 Welcome to Richard S. Lucas - Friday, November 14, 2008 Standing the Watch - A True Story of Love! - Wednesday, October 15, 2008 Check out the Gray Fox! - Saturday, October 11, 2008 Peer Critical Reviews - Friday, September 26, 2008 Check It Out! - Saturday, September 20, 2008 A/D's youngest author??? - Saturday, September 13, 2008 Do we Want Only Good Reviews? - Friday, September 12, 2008 The Reviewer Gets A Bad Review... - Thursday, September 11, 2008 Honor Defended Coming Soon! - Tuesday, September 9, 2008 Starting to Read a New Book - Monday, September 8, 2008 A New Friend - Sunday, September 7, 2008 Critiques - Tuesday, August 26, 2008 Oh Boy... - Tuesday, August 19, 2008 Charlie's Book - My Review - Monday, August 18, 2008 Bob Noonan Snags Award Finalist Recognition! - Tuesday, August 12, 2008 Sweetwater's Sips... - Wednesday, August 6, 2008 Charlie's High! - Wednesday, August 6, 2008 The Good News - Tuesday, August 5, 2008 Yours to Hold.....and Sell! - Saturday, August 2, 2008 Edit Me, Honey - Friday, August 1, 2008 Proofreading and Grammar - Does It Matter? - Thursday, July 31, 2008 Saturday at the Computer - Saturday, July 26, 2008 Didn't Know, Did You? - Monday, July 21, 2008 So Many Writers... - Sunday, July 20, 2008 I'M So Excited! - Saturday, July 19, 2008 Taking a Break - Friday, July 18, 2008 Color Me... - Wednesday, July 16, 2008 Good Morning - Tuesday, July 15, 2008 Reading A Book a Day - Monday, July 14, 2008 Thoughts on online publishing - Monday, July 7, 2008 Browsing Authors' Den - Saturday, July 5, 2008 Hello - Wednesday, July 2, 2008
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