The past belongs to everyone who was there. What do you remember? ADD YOUR STORY
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We are thrilled that our readers are writing in to tell us how the book made them feel – people are hugging their kids, calling their siblings, and updating their wills – just as we had hoped!! We thought we’d share all their responses with you as they come in…
Thanks to Debbie Weiss for writing in and agreeing to let us share her email on our blog! Here’s what she had to say:
“I lost my dad when I was 16 in 1986 so I relate!! (Although I could not have fathomed losing both of my parents; one was hard enough.) I totally relived those times — and my recklessness — through your book and it was very cathartic somehow so I wanted to thank you.
I have never written to an author (let alone 4) of a book before, but I was inspired to as I just found this book so life-affirming — oddly enough. I jammed through it in 2 days and it made me want to hug my kids a lot (especially during the Diana chapters; it made me want to just smack that witch of a “mom”!!!)
It’s stories like these that make you realize anything can happen at any time and you just have to seize the moment, enjoy and appreciate all those who you love and hang on to your family tight no matter what because in the end that’s who you can depend on.”
Hello Amanda, Liz, Dan, and Diana,
I’m so glad to hear that the “kids are all right!” I enjoyed reading your touching book, that was given to me to read by Karen. I am her brother’s fiance. (Norm Kayser, Jr.) We met Liz and Dan briefly at Karen and Norm’s Dad’s 95th Birthday gathering, 4 years ago. You have a remarkable story to tell, and you told it well. My Dad died when I was 15, so I could relate to some of the story. Luckily, my Mom is still living. (She’s 89) I think I’ll go call her right now! Hang on to the laughter that helps you survive.
Norm says “hi” too!
Love,
Cheryl Scanlan
Estero, Florida
Liz,
I went to Fox Lane with you. I watched your Mom on Edge of Night and Loving. I don’t think I realized until the obituary printed that your Mom was Ann Williams.
I always knew that you had it tough after your parents died but did not know the degree of it. My brother Tim was friendly with your brother. Our Mom died in 91. My brothers were 14 and 18 at the time. I am interested in reading your book and wish you and your siblings happy times together. Tell your sister to read books by Hope Edelstein it is called Motherless Mothers. She also wrote Motherless Daughters which was alsoa tremendous help to me.
Best, Kerry