A Mother's Heart Knows

I received some news today that made me so angry, I had to share it with you. Our neighbors recently moved from across the road. They are a fantastic couple, the best neighbors you could ask for. They've been married for over 50 years, and have lived in their house forever. Their children grew up with my father-in-law and his brothers and sisters, and they all played together. When we first moved in, I brought baked goods over occasionally. When my van broke down last fall, he brought over a battery charger and left it overnight for me. If he saw me walking outside without a coat on, he'd jokingly chew me out. Every time we had a snowfall, he always brought out his snowblower and cleaned out our mailboxes, not just theirs, but ours as well. Truly nice people.

The wife has been ill for some time, in fact I rarely saw her, but she always waved and smiled when we passed on the road. Last month they packed up and moved out to live with one of their children in Arizona. Jesse and I thought it was for her health, but last week, we found out that they had lost their home. She's been so sick for the last few years, that they had to take out a mortgage on their home to pay for her medical bills. They couldn't keep up and the bank foreclosed. Today I spoke to their granddaughter at the grocery store and found out that the wife is in the hospital and not doing well physically. She seems to have given up and doesn't want dialysis or treatment anymore. I understand; she's grieving the loss of her home. This is a couple who worked hard their whole lives to raise their children and have a nice home. But then she became ill, and everything changed. Instead of being able to relax in their retirement in the home they worked on for over fifty years, they will spend the rest of their lives moving from one of their children's homes to the next.

This is just not right. Medical charges are out of control, and the government isn't doing anything to help. This should be a wake up call to all Americans. It can happen to anyone. I am broken hearted for this couple. Please put them in your prayers.

A Mother's Heart Knows by Margaret McSweeney is a charming gift hardcover book. It's filled with black and white photos of mothers and children along with a poem about the things that a mother's heart knows. A mother's heart knows when to offer to guide; a mother's heart knows when to step to the side. The pictures are each a little piece of art, and I love the variety of faces. A perfect gift for a first time mom, for Mother's Day, or even to remind yourself how wonderful it is to be a mother.

I'll be running a contest starting on Friday to give away a copy of this book. Check back then to sign up!

Remember to drop me an email at christysbookblog@gmail.com to enter to win one of two copies of A Mending at the Edge by Jane Kirkpatrick before midnight on Thursday. I'll announce the winner here on Friday.