Reviews
“You will always be too much of something for someone: too big, too loud,
too soft, too edgy. If you round out your edges, you lose your edge. ~ Danielle LaPorte
“Some journeys we embark upon with excited anticipation; some are forced upon us. Lynn Abate Johnson’s “Out of Love” is the story of her family’s 6 year journey through the illness and subsequent death of the family matriarch, their beloved Rah-Rah. She writes with compassion, wisdom and humor as her family struggles to find a way forward in their battle with an implacable enemy, ovarian cancer. She shares with us her personal discoveries, her anger and grief as well as her pragmatic strategies in caring for her mother. I was honored to share this journey with Lynn and her family. This book is a loving tribute to an amazing woman and the family she nurtured.”
Susan R., Sonoma, California
“In this heartfelt book, Lynn Abate-Johnson tells the bittersweet true experience of her mother’s cancer passage. By using this book as a guide to better navigate the cancer experience with your own loved ones, you can gain insight and reassurance about the entire cancer experience. The author gives tips on the journey through medications, chemotherapy, diet, and hospital treatments. Most importantly, this book can inspire you on your own emotional journey as a caregiver and teach you how to better cope. Well worth the read.”
Shawna C., Mesa, Arizona
“Lynn Abate-Johnson’s book, Out of Love, is a must-read for any person who is a care provider or may someday be thrust into the role of caring for a loved one or friend diagnosed with a prolonged illness.
I appreciated Lynn’s priceless daily notes, shared in her book. She does not prescribe what to do or not do. Instead, Lynn shares vignettes about what worked and what did not work for her, her mother and family, in a very transparent manner. Lynn invites us, in a clever way, to start processing issues that she, her mother, and family faced during (and after) their journey together.
As a Hospice/Palliative Care Chaplain for 30+ years, I highly recommend this book, as I believe readers will feel supported and connected, especially when put in a position where they have to make tough choices . . . Out of Love. You will want to keep this book in your library for future reference.”
~ Steven R., Hospice/Palliative Care Chaplain
“I am finally getting a chance to read some of Lynn's entries and I must say, she is quite a writer. I have been trying to go back to the beginning of Feb 2011 and read forward. I now have mostly white hair but much curlier and thicker. Very curly! And thick! Legs and arms still weak but I am hoping this too will pass. Thanks for all the messages.”
~ Rosemary Ann Hakim (upon feeling well enough to take a look at the journal entries I had been writing)
What starts as a blog to keep family and friends appraised of her mothers battle with cancer becomes a personal growth adventure. As she observes and records, her mothers, grace and kindness through her healing process, she becomes increasingly aware of the gifts of cancer for life improvements.Each chapter concludes with meaningful insightful questions to provoke applications.
~ Dr Robert Adams, Adams Chiropractic Neurology , Sonoma, California
To be sympathetic, attentive, effective and useful and to grow and not shrink or shirk under the weight of this holy responsibility is one of life’s most important lessons (and gifts). I am sure that others who find themselves taking care of a dying loved one will find inspiration, strength and solace in reading it.
~ Karen Y., Career and Lifestyle Transition Coach
“Lynn has taken every adult child’s worst nightmare and written a poignant account of the personal transformation that can come from true unconditional love. Shining a light into those shadows will brighten the path for me when the time comes and the added gifts of expectations, insights and tools are invaluable.”
~ Katherine Z., Creativity Coach & Photographic Artist