The hearing mother of a deaf child recounts her experiences and provides advice for other parents in a similar situation. Author tells of her 25-year struggle through divorce, poverty, & intractable physicians & educators to raise Alandra her deaf daughter, & the bond she now has with her deaf grandchildren.

“A personal journey of introspection by a young woman whose childhood was spent as parent to her deaf parents” (Kirkus Reviews). From the time she was a toddler, Lou Ann Walker acted as the ears and voice for her parents, who lost their hearing at a young age. As soon as she was old enough to speak, she assumed the responsibility of interpreter—confirming doctors’ appointments and managing her parents’ business transactions. While the Walkers’ family was warm and loving, outside the comfort of their home, they faced a world that misunderstood and often rejected them. In this deeply moving memoir, Walker offers us a glimpse of a different world, bringing with it a broader reflection on how parents grow alongside their children and how children learn to navigate the world through the eyes of their parents. In recounting her story, she encourages us to question the inequalities that shape our society, introduces us to the warm, supportive deaf community, and illuminates the creativity and kindness of humanity. Winner of the Christopher Award “A deeply moving, often humorous, and beautiful account of what it means to be the hearing child of profoundly deaf parents . . . I have rarely read anything on the subject more powerful or poignant than this extraordinary personal account by Lou Ann Walker.” — Oliver Sacks

The hearing mother of a deaf child recounts her experiences and provides advice for other parents in a similar situation. Author tells of her 25-year struggle through divorce, poverty, & intractable physicians & educators to raise Alandra her deaf daughter, & the bond she now has with her deaf grandchildren.

Nautilus Book Award Gold Winner A psychotherapist offers “crucial” guidance on how to “alter fundamentally our fearful relationship to deep feelings,” from depression and anxiety to grief and fear (Los Angeles Times) We are all touched at some point by the dark emotions of grief, fear, or despair. In an age of global threat, these emotions have become widespread and overwhelming. While conventional wisdom warns us of the harmful effects of “negative” emotions, this revolutionary book offers a more hopeful view: there is a redemptive power in our worst feelings. Seasoned psychotherapist Miriam Greenspan argues that it’s the avoidance and denial of the dark emotions that results in the escalating psychological disorders of our time: depression, anxiety, addiction, psychic numbing, and irrational violence. And she shows us how to trust the wisdom of the dark emotions to guide, heal, and transform our lives and our world. Drawing on inspiring stories from her psychotherapy practice and personal life, and including a complete set of emotional exercises, Greenspan teaches the art of emotional alchemy by which grief turns to gratitude, fear opens the door to joy, and despair becomes the ground of a more resilient faith in life. “This remarkable book has taught me a whole new way of thinking.” —Harold Kushner, author of When Bad Things Happen to Good People “A beautiful piece of work destined to become a perennial classic.” —Martha Beck, author of The Joy Diet

Kate runs away from home because her mother and sister are too busy for her, but being independent is only fun for a little while.

German immigrant and farm wife Hulda Klager possesses only an eighth-grade education, and a burning desire to create something beautiful. What begins as a hobby to create an easy-peeling apple for her pies becomes Hulda's driving purpose: a time-consuming interest in plant hybridization that puts her at odds with family and community, as she challenges the early twentieth-century expectations for a simple housewife.

Mary Kate is a serious young girl who has dreams of becoming a teacher. She comes from a large family and is closest in age to her brother, Hen and her sister Lottie. Lottie is Mary Kates exact opposite. She is a boy crazy flibberty gibbert and talks about nothing except boys and Uncle Edwards coming home from the marines and the gifts he will bring them. Hen talks about nothing except joining the Navy worrying Mary Kate tremendously. It is l9l6 and war has started in Europe. Their best friend is their cousin Maria Schmidt who is the daughter of her mothers oldest brother Adam and his wife Hilda. Aunt Hilda is a little stuffy and Mary Kates father John is not too crazy about her, but he loves his brother-in-law Adam. Their father, John, drives a horse drawn hearse, for a living. He has developed a cough, and has been losing work days pretty often. Mother, Catherine, works as a cook to supplement his salary, and as a cleaning lady at the girls Catholic school, to help pay their tuition. After Johns cough worsens and he starts spitting up blood, Mother calls the doctor. He diagnoses T.B. and notifies the Board of Health since it is highly contagious. The Board of Health orders the house quarantined and tells Catherine, the girls mother, that the children must be removed and sent to foster homes. Uncle Edward comes home to find all is not well. When Catherine decides to keep her family together, she seeks Edwards aid in setting up a separate home for her children in a nearby cottage. One night after father has gone to bed, Catherine calls the older children and Uncle Edward together to discuss her plans with them. They are all heartbroken at the thought of leaving their parents, but take it well. Hen is working as an apprentice carpenter, he will help out financially, Mary Kate will have to quit school and stay home and be Mama to the little ones and Lottie will quit school and go to work in a local factory as a seamstress. Uncle Edward and Hen work on cleaning up the cottage and the girls help furnish it. Lottie gets a job at Kleinerts factory and they settle in. Mary Kate learns that taking care of a two year old and an eight year old, as well as keeping house and cooking is a full time job. Mary Kate grieves that she cannot finish high school since she is a senior and has only a few months to go. Their parish priest, and family friend, comes to call and tells Mary Kate that she can graduate with her class if she will study at night. He insists that Hen and Lottie can help with the little ones in the evenings. Time passes and Mary Kate studies and worries about her fathers illness and Uncle Edward going overseas. The time comes and Uncle Edward must leave. They have a tearful parting. Mary Kate not knowing how she will cope without her Uncles guidance. Lottie and Hen are both doing well at work. Once day a young man calls on Mary Kate to discuss Lotties future. Mary Kate offers him coffee and cake. She thinks he wants to marry her young sister because of the approach he uses and the fact that Lottie told her sister she met the man she would someday marry. Finally he explains that he wants to send Lottie to a special school in Canada. It is run by nuns who specialize in making lingerie and embroidering. Mary Kate has to decline. She says Lottie is needed at home but hopes he will ask again. As he leaves, Mary Kate gives him a slice of cake for his father because Daniel said it tasted like his mothers and his father would enjoy it. One day in May, Papa dies. Mama is heartbroken and has to tell the children. Uncle Edward comes home for the funeral, but has to leave soon after. Mama has to make some more decisions once her family comes home. Mama calls a family meeting and surprises the children by including Father Emil. She informs Lottie she is to go to Can