Beyond birthday parties, anniversaries, holidays, and holy days, there is the every day. And while the loss of the first tooth or the first day of school may seem like normal, ordinary occurrences, these authors show that even "just because" events are enough reason to celebrate the One who gives us life each day. There is spirituality behind all celebration. With more than 200 inventive ideas plus Christian inspiration, brief reflections, and biblical examples of everyday celebrations, the authors give concrete, practical, and tangible ways to bring that spirituality into everyday. Readers will be encouraged to create their own family traditions and bring faith to life by making home a place where Christ, family, and friendships can be celebrated openly and often-because life doesn't have to be ordinary.

Matilda "Matt" Black possesses the unique ability to speak with inanimate objects and witness the dreams of other people. Alone, yet never lonely, she’s now found a kindred spirit in Edmund Reynolds—a wandering witch of a spiritual quest to help those in need. Together, these two special people who live outside normal reality will embark on an odyssey of the imagination. They will look into the darkest depths of the past. And they will encounter things both wonderful and terrifying. “A Red Heart of Memories is full of beautiful, impossible magic. Hoffman has a unique talkent for manking prose soar.”—SF Site “…Hoffman’s best and most complete novel to date.”—Locus

Ruthless, Controlling, A Loner. All words used to describe Dr. Micah Steinberg by the hospital staff for their next head of surgery. When a letter arrives from his grandmother’s friend at the assisted living facility, his orderly world tilts dangerously out of control. Josh Rosen had everything until it was revealed much of his world was a lie. Forced to re-evaluate his life, Josh gives up his career and returns home to New York City to care for his beloved grandmother. What Josh didn’t figure on was an attraction to a man who on the surface, appears to be exactly like the life Josh chose to leave behind. As Micah struggles with the reality of his grandmother’s illness, the bond these two share deepens, as Josh helps Micah heal, then open his heart. Micah discovers there is more to life than work, control and success. Josh is in deep but has yet to tell Micah who he really is. When the fight for the hospital’s head of surgery turns ugly, Josh’s past and present collide. Micah must let go of the past and accept who he is, if his life is going to move forward. Life is full of surprises, and as both Micah and Josh learn, love can happen whether you plan for it or not.

This book is a collection of memories, memories reminiscent of the truth of our lines, poetic truth and wisdom.

The purpose of this publication is to pass on to future generations reflections of the past. How times can change and yet remain the same. How you can survive regardless of hard times. Also, the desire to inspire those that come after me is important. A wise person once said that gratitude is the memory of the heart. My memories enrich my life as the days and years go by. I recall treasured memories that continue to enrich my soul. I choose to review my memory bank with gratitude. Recalling the kindness of others brings a smile to my face and lifts my spirits. I appreciate the people who have shared this life with me. My memories of good times and good people reveal the light of God that shines unceasingly on us all. As I look back with gratitude for the loved ones and opportunities that have brought me great joy and fulfillment, I also enjoy the fullness of this present moment. Right now, I am making memories for the years to come. I hope to leave the world a better place because of my living in it—to love and be loved, to do good and show respect, to act justly and fairly, to care well for the earth in my small patch of the planet.

Anyone who has lived life long enough already knows that with tremendous love also comes tremendous loss. Often, we are faced with a life limiting illness before the loss, leaving us time to anticipate our next move. Other times, the loss comes suddenly, leaving us in shock and unsure where to turn next. Through both professional experiences as a hospice nurse and personal experiences as a widow, there is no question that Kerry Aldridge understands our pain, fears, and grief process. In her touching memoir, Kerry shares the story of how she and her late husband, Jack, forged their way through his fourteen-year battle with lung cancer, one day at a time with gratitude and grace. While recalling stories from their life together and his subsequent illness, Kerry addresses her difficult transition from being a hospice nurse to being the wife of a loved one whose health was failing. In addition to providing valuable insight regarding the different facets of grief, Kerry also provides reassurance that the more we understand death and grief, the less we have to fear. Memories of the Heart shares the story of one woman’s journey as her husband battled terminal illness and she learned to find the balance between her job as a hospice nurse and her soul’s purpose to provide comfort and love.

Hannah Frys life has just changed in an instant. When her husband of thirty-three years is killed in a car accident, she is overcome with fear, anger, and grief. The fear of living without her husband is paralyzing. The anger at him for abandoning her is overwhelming. The grief of losing him forever is unbearable. Worse yet, Hannah cannot remember who she used to be. As Hannah wonders what she will do with the rest of her life, she is forced to face her one mortal enemyherself. Left with only her memories and a closet full of his clothes, Hannah begins questioning everything in her lifeher faith, her past decisions, and her uncertain future. As she slowly emerges from the darkness and begins to move forward and search for her purpose in life, Hannah finds an inner strength she never knew she possessed. Boosted by the love of her children and grandchildren, Hannah begins a journey of hope and healing that takes her full circle to the realization that nothing will ever have the power to take away her memories of the heart.

Memories of a Lacerated Heart gives us a painful insight into one of the most brutal and historically under-reported wars, and its effects not just on the country but on the mind of a patriotic and unassuming army officer. In 1947 the Indian subcontinent was split into two countries, India and Pakistan. East and West Pakistan were geographically separated by the larger nation of India and the country was ruled by martial law for the first 25 years after gaining independence. The governing of the two wings of the country, hundreds of miles apart, was a logistical challenge and the cultural, economic, geographical and language differences became divisive. East Pakistan had the larger population, albeit in a smaller area, but West Pakistan held the political and economic power. East Pakistan secured the majority of seats in the 1970 elections but, despite winning the majority vote, it was deprived of the right to govern. This lead to a bloody civil war that later escalated into a conflict between Pakistan and India. This is the memoir of one Pakistani Army officer who witnessed the events first-hand and suffered as a consequence of being a patriotic young company commander who passionately wanted to prevent the break-up of his country. It is a formal collection of his diary entries documenting his experiences during the civil war, the subsequent conflict with India, and as a prisoner of war. While still a war memoir, it is also the raw and heartfelt account of a man separated by duty from his loved ones, and ordered, along with his young soldiers, to fight a pointless war ruthlessly orchestrated by generals and politicians.

A collection of moments big and small from a grandmother to her grandchild A grandparent's wisdom is priceless, and so is this beautiful guided journal for grandmothers to record their memories, advice, hopes, and dreams for their grandchildren. This lovely, hidden-spiral-bound memory book has inspiring prompts, sweet quotations about family, and places to paste in favorite photos, enabling a grandmother to create a one-of-a-kind keepsake her grandchild will treasure for years.

As life expands outward, Mr. Petrakis's darker sketches tell of gambling obsessions and life in the streets and the risk of death. In reports of travels, he turns a sharp eye on England, the Middle East, and his Greek homeland. Whether he is recalling the world of his family or the world grown large, he writes with a novelist's eye and a poet's language.