Review
‘a heartbreaking and heartwarming tale’
People Magazine
'I couldn't read more than a few pages of this for my tears obscuring the print- it is the story of a three-year-old child's battle with cancer. Uplifting I understand, but too heartbreaking for me. However, I've no doubt it will sell.'
Sarah Broadhurst, The Bookseller, Paperback supplement
‘’Will fill you with tears and laughter…a heartwarming and life-enriching read.’ Woman’s Way
Product Description
Transformative lessons in life learnt through a remarkable three-year-old girl's battle with cancer. From Hannah's story emerge five profound lessons – of truth, joy, faith, compassion and wonder – that have the power to change our lives.
Every once in a while a book comes along that can change your life – a book so special, it is destined not just to be read but to be cherished, to be passed from one reader to another as a precious gift. Filled with wisdom and grace, tears and laughter, Hannah's Gift is one such book. Maria Housden shares the transformative lessons in living she received from her three-year-old daughter Hannah, who brought courage, honesty and joy to her struggle with cancer.
During the last year of her short life, Hannah was fearless in the way she faced death – and irrepressibly joyful in the way she approached living. The little girl who wore her favourite red shoes into the operating theatre changed the life of everyone who came in contact with her. Now, in a book that preserves Hannah's indomitable spirit, Maria Housden offers the gift of her daughter's last year to all of us. In a lyrically told narrative, both moving and unforgettable, Housden recounts Hannah's battle with cancer in simple, straightforward language that transcends grief and fear to become a celebration.
Hannah's Gift nourishes the soul with an ageless wisdom all the more invaluable for having come from someone so young. A remarkable story, remarkably told, it will bring comfort to anyone touched by loss and renewed faith in the power of love.
From the Publisher
From the Back Cover
THE TRUE MEASURE OF A LIFE IS NOT ITS LENGTH BUT THE FULLNESS WITH WHICH IT IS LIVED
During the last year of her short life, Maria Housden's three-year-old daughter Hannah was fearless in the way she faced death – and irrepressibly joyful in the way she approached living. The little girl who wore her favourite red shoes into the operating theatre changed the life of everyone who came in contact with her. Now, in a book that preserves Hannah's indomitable spirit, Maria Housden offers the gift of her daughter's last year to all of us.
In a lyrically told narrative, both moving and unforgettable, Housden recounts Hannah's battle with cancer in simple, straightforward language that transcends grief and fear to become a celebration. From Hannah's story emerge five profound lessons – of truth, joy, faith, compassion and wonder – that have the power to change our lives.
During her illness Hannah showed how we can truly live in the moment and break free from lives suffocated by too many unlived joys. 'Hannah's Gift' nourishes the soul with ageless wisdom that is all the more invaluable for having come from someone so young. A remarkable story, remarkably told, it will bring comfort to anyone touched by loss, and renew faith in the power of love.
"Maria Housden's testament to a dying daughter's transcendent wisdom, a mother's all-too-earthly devotion, and love's uncanny gift for transforming the greatest suffering into joy and self-awareness comes as a gift to us all."
MARK MATOUSEK, author of 'Sex, Death, Enlightenment'
"'Hannah's Gift' is a celebration of life in all its richness, pain, mystery and wonder. Maria Housden gives us renewed faith in the transformative power of love."
JOHN WELWOOD, author of 'Toward a Psychology of Awakening'
"As Maria Housden guides us through her daughter's grave illness, we too receive Hannah's gift to the world. Like a master spiritual teacher, this remarkable little girl opens our hearts to what matters – compassion for ourselves and one another."
'New Age' magazine
"Superlatives seem pointless. Read it and weep for the sheer joy of being alive."
JEREMIAH ABRAMS, author of 'Meeting the Shadow'
About the Author
Maria Housden has led bereavement support groups an speaks throughout the US to groups as diverse as church and civic organisations, high school students and medical professionals.
