Life is Tough

Life is Tough- I Doubt I'll Make It Out Alive

Stacy Gooch-Anderson

Ok, I am having one of those life is tough weeks and this review is just one of the things. Stacy sent me all kinds of graphics and info and links and daily lifesavers that I could use in this post. They are all stored on my laptop and as you know from yesterday's post, my laptop is in the shop. So I guess we will just wing it this morning, ok?

Life as a human on this planet is not always a happy thing. There are days-weeks-months and even years that I feel like I am drowning in my life and it will never be better and it is hard and why can't I just stop where I am and sit down until someone comes along to rescue me and make it happy and sunshiny again? Then someone like Stacy writes a book that reminds me that there is sunshine even on the gloomiest days if I will just look for it.

Stacy Gooch-Anderson, author of The Santa Letters, has had her share of trials as a mother. Grom making decisions about her career and future to dealing with illness in her family, she has learned that life will continue to teach her lessons in all circumstances. These lessons can be poignant, meaningful, and, in the case of Stacy, quite humorous.

Stacy reveals a life filled with laughter and wit as she chronicles her adventures of being a mother. Join her as she shares 28 life lessons that changed her perspective and helped her grow in character. Full of humor and practical advice, Life is Tough-I Doubt I'll Make It Out Alive is sure to inspire mothers everywhere!

In the 28 chapters of this book, with titles like "Calling all Prince Charmings, How to Tour the Pacific without Crossing an Ocean and Toddler- 864 Mom-0, Stacy takes us through some of the tough life lessons she has learned. Choosing a husband, having and raising children, loosing a child at birth, death of family members, buying a house that needs numerous repairs- all things that will teach you lessons. All things that can bring you down to the depths of despair. Stacy is able to see the bigger picture and the humor in the everyday mundane things. And she reminds us that the humor and lesson can be our lifesaver.

Under each chapter title she has a chapter summary. One of my favorites accompanies Life Lesson Number Seventeen: Another One Bit the Dust:

If wisdom equals age and age is a state of mind, then it's safe to assume that one can use wisdom as he gets older to state his mind and never mind his mindless state when having fun. Everyone expects old people to dress oddly, have messy hair, and be opinionated anyway.

Or how about Life Lesson Number Twenty-five: If I Want to Get Over the Rainbow, Can I Use a Stepstool:

Walt Disney once said, "All your dreams come true if you have the courage to pursue them." It's good advice from a guy who succeded by living most of his life in a fantasy land with a six-foot mouse and a duck who never wore pants.

Because I don't have my list of daily lifesavers, you will have to click over here to see what the lifsaver for today is. I'll post it here as soon as I get my laptop back, hopefully today.

Purchase the book here

Release Date:
2009-02-01
ISBN/UPC:
9781599551760
Dimensions: 6x9
Pages: 192

---

Indeed.

The Santa Letters

One year ago on Christmas Eve, William died. For Emma Jensen, the hit-and-run driver killed more than her husband; he killed her joy in Christmas and in every other day of the year.

Now, as Christmas approaches again, Emma finds herself sinking into a depression that nothing can breach-- not her job, not her love for her family, and certainly not the season. The Jensen children understand that Christmas will be strained this year-- all except 6-year-old McKenna. Of all the family, only she still believes in the magic of Christmas, and in miracles.

But that is about to change.

When an ornate letter and a mysterious package arrive on the doorstep, Emma and her sons find themselves joining McKenna on a magical journey to Christmas. Each day, a package and a letter signed Santa arrive for the Jensens, and as the meaning ofthe Santa Letters unfold, the Jensens come to realize that the joy of Christmas does not have to be lost forever- and that William may be closer than they think.

This year, the Santa Letters will take the Jensens ona Christmas experience that will show God's love can heal any wound, no matter how deep.

I love Christmas. It is my favorite time of the year. The decorations, the lights, the happiness, the music, the presents, the smells, the colors, the stories. With my first glimpse of this book I knew that I would love it too. The cover is a deep, deep red- almost maroon with fancy gold lettering and it just evokes that wonderful peace of Santa's love. Just holding it made me want to get out all the decorations and start filling my house with cheer. But I didn't.

No, I opened the book and read instead. I read of a happy loving family. Then I read of that same family torn with the unneccesary death of their husband and father and the depths of despair that the mother is feeling. Emma, the mother, is barely holding it together. She has sunk into such a deep depression that life is almost unbearable for her. Her biggest nightmare has come true and she cannot imagine living without her dear William. But, she must, as there are children to take care of, bills to pay and Christmas to try and celebrate.

Enter Santa. Santa has watched Emma turn from her usual happy, cheerful self to a shell of a person. Santa knows that something must be done to help Emma deal with her grief and start living again. So he devises a plan. Each and every day, starting with Dec. 13, Santa delivers a letter and some goodies to the family to help them realize that all is not lost. At first, Emma thinks that someone is playing a cruel joke on her family and that Christmas will be spoiled forever for them when they realize that there is really no such thing as Christmas magic. Then, with each passing day, Emma begins to look forward to the letters. She even begins to live her life again and start to find some happiness in what is still here for her.

Through the letters, the Jensen family learns the true meaning of Christmas and service and love. As you read, you too, will find these things. This is truly a story to be told again, and again. It will hold a special place on my bookshelf.

If, after readng, you would like to participate in helping someone find the true happiness of the season, Stacy has provided downloadable templates of Santa letters for us to use. Just go here and then go spread some Christmas cheer.


Buy the book here

Official Santa Letter webpage here

---

Indeed.