The
discovery of one woman’s heirloom hope chest unveils precious memories and
helps three people who have each lost a part of themselves find joy once again.
Ever since she was diagnosed with ALS, fiercely
independent Mattie doesn’t feel like herself. She can’t navigate her beloved
home, she can’t go for a boat ride, and she can barely even feed herself. Her
devoted husband, Don, doesn’t want to imagine life without his wife of nearly
fifty years, but Mattie isn’t likely to make it past their anniversary.
But when Rose, Mattie’s new caretaker, and her
young daughter, Jeri, enter the couple’s life, happiness and the possibility
for new memories return. Together they form a family, and Mattie is finally
able to pass on her memories from the hope chest she received from her mother.
With each item―including a favorite doll, family
dishes, an embroidered apron, and an antique Christmas ornament―the hope chest
connects Mattie, Don and Rose to each other and helps them find hope again in
the face of overwhelming life challenges.
A
beautiful story about the unconditional love and support of family, The Hope Chest by Viola Shipman will remind you that
hope can be found where and when you least expect it.
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the book at:
About the author:
VIOLA SHIPMAN is a penname for Wade Rouse, a
popular, award-winning memoirist. Rouse chose his grandmother’s name, Viola
Shipman, to honor the woman whose heirlooms and family stories inspire his
writing. Rouse lives in Michigan and writes regularly for People and Coastal Living, among other places, and
is a contributor to All Things Considered. To date, The
Charm Bracelet has been translated into nine languages.
Connect with the author at:
