The Gift of an Ordinary Day: A Mother’s Memoir
is an intimate memoir of a family in transition-boys becoming teenagers, careers ending and new ones opening up, an attempt to find a deeper sense of place, and a slower pace, in a small New England town. It is a story of mid-life longings and discoveries, of lessons learned in the search for home and a new sense of purpose, and the bittersweet intensity of life with teenagers–holding on, letting go.
Poised on the threshold between family life as she’s always known it and her older son’s departure for college, Kenison is surprised to find that the times she treasures most are the ordinary, unremarkable moments of everyday life, the very moments that she once took for granted, or rushed right through without noticing at all.
The relationships, hopes, and dreams that Kenison illuminates will touch women’s hearts, and her words will inspire mothers everywhere as they try to make peace with the inevitable changes in store.
I immersed myself into this book over the weekend. I knew I would be offering a giveaway today and wanted to include my review. Author, Katrina Kenison (40ish) is facing a time in her life when her sons are quickly running towards adulthood and there is a yearning in her to move from their technology driven, suburban home in search for a wider spaces and a reconnection of her family. She did not expect to sell her current house before buying a new house, moving back home with her parents, losing her job and dealing with teen-age angst. That goes a little beyond when it rains it pours. Yet, the struggles the family faces are exactly what is needed to bring them together.
Ms. Kenison describes her fears of an unknown future – where will we live, high school, college, finances – and how this time of upheaval can actually be viewed as a time of freedom, an opportunity to start over and live a fulfilled life. There are many instances of reflection to when her sons were young and so much time was devoted to fulfilling their days. Now, with her boys requiring less of her and beginning to live their own lives, she realizes her own thoughts on what she desires has changed.
Ms. Kenison’s writing is very poetic. Perhaps a little too poetic bordering on the very flowery. Mind you, I am not a flowery gal and while there were times I found my mind wandering during the story, I certainly appreciate the author’s meaning. I too am 40ish, lost my job and have a teen-age daughter who is ready to take on the world. This is a turning point in my life. This book did poke my brain and has caused me to take a look at what I want for my future. Do I take any job that comes my way or try to wait it out for a job I may actually enjoy most days? Should I go back to school? How much leeway and assistance do I give my daughter? How much do I insist she finds her own way? What do I want her to learn from me and how I handle this stressful period? I believe this book has fulfilled it’s mission! Thank you to Hachette Book Group for providing me a copy of this book for review.
Have you ever been at a cross-roads in your life? What was your inspiration to get through it?
Book information:
- Hardcover: 320 pages
- Publisher: Springboard Press (September 7, 2009)
- Language: English
- ISBN-10: 0446409480
- ISBN-13: 978-0446409483
Giveaway winners announced!
I would love to be entered in your draw. Thanks.
wandanamgreb(at)gmail(dot)com
I loved this book! My review is at http://imbookingit.wordpress.com/2009/08/20/the-gift-of-an-ordinary-day/
The language was beautiful, and I normally don’t like it when the words get in the way of what the book is saying, but this book spoke to me strongly enough that I didn’t mind.
Don’t enter me, I already have the book. I just had to stop to gush about it.
I’ve been looking forward to this book…I very much enjoyed her previous book.
Oh, this sounds good. I’m at a crossroads myself…it’d be fun to read about how another person managed it. Thanks for the opportunity!
I’d love to read it. I clicked through Animal Rescue and Social Vibe. Thanks!
ang_vaughan[at]yahoo[dot]com
Please enter me.
tbranco(at)hughes(dot)net
Would love to win this! christinegordonmanley[at]yahoo[dot]ca
I’d love a chance. Thanks for the giveaway.
s.mickelson at gmail dot com
Thanks for the review and giveaways.
gahome2mom/at/gmail/dot/com
Twitter: mysticconn
15. Sep, 2009 at 8:21 pm #
Thanks for the chance to win.
simplystacieblog@gmail.com
Please enter me. Thanks for the chance.
lizzi0915 at aol dot com
Oh I can’t imagine my son going off to college, high school is hard enough! Please include my entry, my email is savedbygrace7215(at)yahoo(dot)com
I would love to read this.
misusednnocence@aol.com
this looks wonderful thanks minsthins at optonline dot net
I know how the author feels. I am at the same point right now. My oldest son is now a senior in high school and trying to decide where he wants to spend the next 4 years of his life. We’re trying to be supportive (he’s looking at ivy league colleges) but also trying to figure out how to pay for it. My other son is 2 years younger and immersed in all the sports, music, etc. activities he can handle. When my oldest goes to college it will be different around here, but after the younger one goes, I will have a big hole in my life that is now filled with soccer games, band concerts, etc.
seknobloch(at)gmail(dot)com
I subscribe to your feed via google.
seknobloch(at)gmail(dot)com
PLease enter me into the draw.
dftrew(at)gmail(dot)com
I’d love a chance to win a copy of this book. I think it would be a memorable read. Thanks for the chance.
espressogurl at hotmail dot com
Your RSS feed goes to my google reader. Reading you at rubymoonstone/gmail
contact: espressogurl at hotmail dot com
You’re faved at Technorati
Tech name: rubymoon
espressogurl at hotmail dot com
Clicked to feed critters
entry 1
espressogurl at hotmail dot com
Clicked to feed critters
entry 2
espressogurl at hotmail dot com
Clicked social vibe
entry 1
espressogurl at hotmail dot com
Clicked social vibe
entry 2
espressogurl at hotmail dot com
sounds like an interesting read!
wynne.duong@gmail.com
Hi Looks like a book I’d love to read. Count me in. Cheers. polo-puppy-fluffy AT hotmail *dot* com
Clicked the critters button two times. Cheers. polo-puppy-fluffy AT hotmail *dot* com
Clicked the critters button two times(2). Cheers. polo-puppy-fluffy AT hotmail *dot* com
Clicked the social vibe button two times. Cheers. polo-puppy-fluffy AT hotmail *dot* com
Clicked the social vibe button two times(2). Cheers. polo-puppy-fluffy AT hotmail *dot* com
I would so like to read this. Please enter me. Thanks!
mia at jcobsracing dot com
oops put a typo in my email
mia at jacobsracing dot com
I just clicked on the Animal Rescue site.
Twitter: nouveauwriter
22. Sep, 2009 at 10:11 pm #
Sounds like a great read! Please enter me. I have clicked on Animal rescue and Music for relief.
laura(at)laurafabiani.com
http://libraryofcleanreads.blogspot.com
This book sounds good. Love to read it. Please enter me. Thanks!
ayancey(at)dishmail(dot)net
I am a email subscriber!
ayancey(at)dishmail(dot)net
I would love to read this book.
linna.hsu at gmail dot com