THE CAREGIVER'S GUIDE TO THE UNIVERSE
The Reviews
"I am a puppies & rainbows, happy-ending, tie-it-up-in-a-bow consumer. I have enough reality in my face as a "honorary caregiver" myself. I was hesitant to read about what I deal with day after day. But this wasn't another book telling me what to do or how to feel. These lyrical glimpses into one family's beautifully painful journey were soothingly cathartic to me. It reminded me I am not alone in the day to day challenges. It gave me tools & wisdom to carry with me courtesy of a loving husband & his observant, beautiful daughter. Sure I cried - but it was because of the love story. And I laughed - because we all have lived (or will soon enough) these moments that make you breakdown (& you will over & over again as a human.) But the gratitude for the precious moments they are, allows you to rejoice in the shared experience. READ THIS. I read it aloud to the one I help care for & she laughed & cried with me. The truth doesn't always hurt. It can console & heal & unify & make you a better human being. If I can become half the human being the CAREGIVER is in this memoir, I will have achieved something special." - amazoniangal
"Renee's account of the care she and her family provided to their mother was touching, instructive, cathartic and inspirational all in one. The beauty of their love and commitment was inspiring. The reading flew by and at the end I wished for more. I enjoyed it from cover to cover and would recommend it to everyone whoever has been or will be a caregiver. It shows what is possible and further helps us to have a small glimpse into the complex and sad yet ultimately fulfilling world of long term care with Alzheimer's. I will never eat spaghetti diner again in the same way without shedding a tear and at the same time smiling with the joy and satisfaction of knowing that comfort and joy comes from the simplest places. Beautiful is too simple a word and yet describes such a touching and personal account." - Trudy W.
"This book shows the reality of a terrible disease with candor and insight, beautifully written and honest, I laughed and cried and felt like I was on a journey with this family. This memoir is a tribute to a legacy of love, and the resilience of a family caring for someone with early onset Alzheimer's. A must read"
"I thoroughly enjoyed this book. It was a captivating memoir from start to finish, with just the right amount of endearing light humor. As I read the book, I learned how this family coped with their mother's/wife's early-onset Alzheimer's for decades while always helping her maintain her dignity and personal identity. The light touch of humor made an otherwise sad story light & positive. The vintage photos were nice to help us visualize the mother when she was young. I appreciated how the author learned to move forward in life and find moments to celebrate. I recommend this book to any who are currently caregiving or may find themselves doing so in the future. I also recommend it to anyone else who would would like to understand better the role of caregivers and show empathy. All in all, a very good book." - JMG
"I have been delighted, entertained and moved by this author's words for years and am so happy to see many others get to enjoy her writings too. I am so impressed with how she can take such an example of love, joy, and pain and deliver it in a way that not only entertains; but draws people into the account causing them to reflect on their own personal experiences. In this electronic age...this book has a permanent place on my bookshelf." -RD
"There's a problem with this book. I just can't keep my eyes dry. But I recommend it to everyone. Very well written. I loved it!"- The Caregiver