I gave this book five stars not because I am a colleague of the author but because it’s an awesome and heartfelt story of what it’s like to be a caregiver. It’s a short read, one which you will not put down. It’s filled with love, humanity, compassion, wisdom and selfless sharing of self. It’s a must read for anyone caring for a love one or one preparing for a health care profession.

This book is a great short read that offers support, guidance, and wisdom to those who have not just experienced the death of, but lived and cared for a parent, as well as the author’s personal story of her beloved mother’s life and death. Through the lens of Christianity, the author offers her in-depth personal and professional perspective and provides us with an example of what is means to live a purposeful and meaningful life in the aftermath of losing a loved one.

I got the call my elderly uncle needed a place to stay. Of course he could stay with me I said. People questioned if I could handle it and I didn't understand why. My uncle didn't\coundn't stay a week before it was clear I was in over my head. We eventually put him in a home and I've felt so bad about it. Within a month he was gone. This book was a book of love and how to truly be selfless when caring for a family member. If only I had read it sooner.

Grab a cup of coffee and tissue. Truly and inspiring book for caregivers or soon to be caregivers.

This book shatters the 5-star rating permissible by Amazon. The rating should be infinite! Detailed, and superior written, Dr. Hickman intertwines family life and pulls off a "hat trick" portraying a triad of identities, one professionally, and two personally caring for "Shibby", the great matriarch! The book is full of pertinent information from Dr. Hickman's personal accounts of caregiving to any person who finds themselves in any of the three identities expected, or unexpected, assuming the "humble" role of caretaker possibly for the first time.

Care givers will recognize the journey of service, sacrifice, and growth and be encouraged. Reviewed in the United States on March 10, 2021 From the Lens of a Daughter, Nurse, and Caregiver describes 20 years of care giving. All care givers will appreciate the journey of loving service, sacrifice, and growth. This book describes aging, needing help, faith in God, the irreplaceable memories, and precious intimately between mother and adult child. I recommend this book to all care givers.

Wow is the word I hold in my mind as I ended chapter 9. I have paused at chapter 10 but I plan to continue this evening when the house is quiet. I asked my husband to sit with me as I read your book aloud. He agreed and we sat together as I read. You were correct when stating that we seem to have a lot in common. Honestly, it is incredible the similarities. You know, my full name is Candace Jean Collins. Isn't that funny, we share a middle name as well. The way you described your various emotions and thoughts was like I was reading my own. My momma did not live such a long or extraordinary life as yours did. She was 56 when she passed. Her health was very poor for the last 4 years. She lived a rather hard life. She was a single mother of 4, 3 girls and one boy. I am the eldest. I would find myself angry when I felt alone, and they were not there for us. But I have realized that they too had their roles just as you realized. I love my siblings and we are close. My husband was at my side and helped with my mother. I could not have done it without him I do not think. This is why I wanted to share the book with him. I wanted him to experience your story with me. He too is blown away by the similarities. The descriptions of emotions or thoughts or worries. The caregiver role strain and the change of roles, the good, the bad, and the ugly. I thought of how I felt when I received my paper back from you and your red marks and how you wrote about your mother's proof reading and red marks. I laughed and though my goodness, Cynthia is so much like her mother. She has instilled greatness in you. You are so intelligent, educated, compassionate, loving, giving, and God fearing just as she was. I love how she loved the Lord. I need to be more diligent in my relationship with the Lord. I need to "Go". My husband and I are so impressed with your mother. "Wow! what a pioneer for not only woman, but for black woman" my husband said. She was amazing! What a blessing to have her in your life, and what a blessing for her to have you. My momma told me I was her angel. I too had moments of outbursts or fits when I became overwhelmed. We have 4 children (2 home schooled this year ahhhh!), work, adult school, and well you know the overwhelming schedule. I am so glad I took the time to tell my momma I was sorry for those moments of weakness. I told her how much I loved her and that sometimes I just felt overwhelmed, but it wouldn't stop me. We had a birthday party for my son the week before she passed, almost to the day. She had a chance to enjoy her children and grandchildren. We canceled other plans that day to extend the time we had with her. We had no idea it would be our last gathering. This too was similar to your story. God intended for this. He knows my emotional struggle and I have asked for his help. You are my help. You have given me something I cannot find the words to explain except that I no longer feel guilt. I no longer feel I didn't do enough. I feel comforted in knowing I am not alone in my experience and that it was all normal. I know that you are my professor, and after this class we may never communicate again, but I will forever cherish you. Thank you for sharing your story. I look forward to finishing your book. Exhale.

When I read this book it was like reading my own story. I am a nurse, mother of 4, and nursing student who was caring for my mother. I recently lost my mother in April. It has been one of the deepest pains I have ever felt. I had been struggling greatly. I prayed for the Lord to help me and without telling the entire story, the author and this book, came into my life. I am honored and blessed to have read this. I cried, I laughed, I breathed deeply, and I felt so many similar emotions to the author. It was astonishing. I could not believe her bravery, telling her story. How difficult it must have been. I am forever grateful for this brave and beautiful story because it helped me to feel like I was not alone in this world facing these circumstances. You see, I had felt guilt. I wondered If I had done enough or pushed enough or fought hard enough. I realized after reading this, that I did just that. I gave my momma life before death and I did it with everything in me. I need not feel any guilt. Thank you Dr. Cynthia J Hickman. Forever cherished.