My favorite metaphor for the transformational journey is a butterfly emerging from a cocoon. Monarch’s, despite how fragile they look, demonstrate how strong and resilient they really are as they fly thousands of miles from North America to Mexico.
Revisiting my life events, I witnessed myself emerging from a caterpillar (“I’m a mess”) into a cocoon (“I’m getting my act together”) to a butterfly (“I”m getting the hang of life now.”) With lots of help, I moved from helplessness to strength and resilience … a long journey of both hard work and unfathomable gifts of grace.
Writing about my journey opened me to a whole new perspective on my life … transforming my overwhelming challenges into valuable spiritual lessons I might not have learned in any other way.
I hope my story will inspire others to risk their own process of emergence. It is worth the effort and the unimaginable gifts bestowed along the way.
Reviews from:
Mark Nepo, New York Times best-selling author of The Book of Awakening:
In A Long Awaking to Grace, Linda Marshall recounts with honesty and tenderness her decades long journey in caring for her children through a labyrinth of pain and limitations. Her story affirms that not giving up on love — though we often don’t know what is happening — leads us to gifts where we least expect them.
Susan J. Tweit, author of Bless the Birds: Living with Love in a Time of Dying
A Long Awakening to Grace shows the transformative power of an open heart and questing spirit. Faith buoys Linda Marshall through decades of family pain and tragedy caused by a mysterious genetic condition. Over the course of this inspiring journey, love opens the way for profound healing.
April Wilson, Contemporary Romance Novelist and Advocate for Writers
Linda’s memoir is more than just a retelling of her life story. This work of nonfiction functions on so many levels. In addition to being a brilliantly insightful spiritual exploration and narrative about a rare genetic disorder, it’s the quintessential story of the American woman born in the 1940s, growing up in the 1950s, and dealing with stifling gender roles imposed on American women of that era.
Helen LaKelly Hunt, author of And The Spirit Moved Them: The Lost Radical History of America’s First Feminists
Out of her desire to accomplish God’s purpose for her life, Linda Marshall courageously shares the pain and shame that held her captive for years. You will be challenged by her journey that took her from a silent position of fear to a vocal position of vulnerability and freedom.
B. Lynn Goodwin, Never Too Late: From Wannabe to Wife at 62, writing coach, and managing editor of Writer’s Advice
When I first heard that this was a story about women with disabled children, I assumed I’d read the equivalent story in many forms. I was wrong. This one is about the narrator’s struggle as she integrates her spiritual life and personal journey with the needs of two children, both suffering from a rare form of muscular dystrophy. It’s accessible, detailed, and unique. I came away with a new understanding of grace and great appreciation for the narrator.
Harville Hendrix and Helen LaKelly Hunt, New York Times Best-selling authors of Getting the Love You Want & Making Marriage Simple
A Long Awakening to Grace reads like a compelling novel by a talented author who knows how to keep the reader on the edge of suspense. We encourage its reading by anyone interested in the emergence of a heroine from darkness into light.
John T. Kissel, MD; Retired Ohio State University Director, Division of Neuromuscular Medicine
This remarkable memoir chronicles a hero’s quest to find an answer to a genetic riddle that had severely impacted her family for decades. The story is moving, meaningful, and inspiring, and reading it has made me a better doctor. It is a tremendous resource.
Alice Carlton, Aspiring Author; Retired Imago Relationship Therapist
A Long Awakening to Grace, hooked me at the first sentence and wouldn’t let me go. Bravo! It’s well written, the descriptions are vivid, and the narrative flow kept me reading. Her willingness to be vulnerable and open about her challenges and struggles and self-criticism leaves me in awe. She might adopt the tag line: “Nevertheless, she persisted.” She kept on seeking divine guidance and her own personal growth. It’s amazing how long it took to find the correct diagnosis for her family. I resonated with how hard it has been to let go of adult children and stay connected in a loving way. Good job!
Pamela Brubaker, author of Women Don’t Count
Linda Marshall has written an eloquent, heart wrenching and deeply moving memoir. From the time she was a child, she searched for ‘a better way’ to be a family. Her courage and commitment throughout a journey with many challenges is admirable, and reflects a deep spirituality. What she learns in the process provides resources and wisdom for all who yearn for a better way.
Recent Comments