Tuesday, December 20, 2011

A Mosaic Heart - Reshaping the Shards of a Shattered Life

A Mosaic Heart - Reshaping the Shards of a Shattered Life


Terry Jones-Brady

Quartet, 2011, $17.95

ISBN: 9780615517209



In 1966 in New York City, Terry and Tim met when she auditioned for a part in his production in Norfolk of A Shot In the Dark. They married and in 1969 had their first baby Heather who stayed longer than normal at the hospital due to weighing so little. Soon afterward the couple learns that Heather suffered from cystic fibrosis; at seventeen she was dead. Their second child Holly was also diagnosed with CF, but her condition was considered worse than her older sister. However, like Heather Holly had a strong will and attended college until the illness finally forced her to drop out. She soon joined her sister and grandma.



Terry Jones-Brady provides a poignant memoir focusing on the impact of the worst kind of mental suffering; watching helplessly your children dying while she and her husband also grow emotionally stronger from these tragedies. Both parents changed their dreams to accommodate the needs of their beloved children, and after their deaths to accept that their lives are shattered yet enriched by these brave little girls who fought to live. Terry and Tim accept the need to honor their children by “Reshaping the Shards of a Shattered Life” to help others somewhat heal from similar family losses.



Harriet Klausner





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