About the book
After she loses her husband of sixty-three years and six weeks later, her beloved dog, Jane McKinney turns to writing poetry to find comfort. Residing in Arizona and feeling isolated from her six children located in the eastern part of the country, she moves to an independent senior living facility in West Michigan to be closer. Her daughter, Mary, lives seven miles away. Together they find comfort and delight in writing, in nature, in a variety of outdoor adventures as they weather the loss of loved ones, the often grim realities of aging and the threat of the ever-lurking coronavirus. When Jane falls in the midst of the pandemic, Mary becomes the primary caregiver. Her mother in the recliner, Mary on the floor at her feet, the two create a daily ritual they call “chair chat.” Sharing their writing, an intimacy develops between mother and daughter as they reveal their respective journeys to find peace of mind and joy of heart, even in life’s most difficult times. Threading through both their stories is the healing power of nature.
About the Authors
Jane McKinney is the author of nine books, including a children’s book, a memoir on motherhood, a collection of essays, and six books of poetry. The mother of six children, she was the Director of Public Information for the East Lansing School District for eighteen years and a pioneer in the use of cable television in education, for which she won several awards. Her most recent book, Joy in My Heart, was published in 2022, the year she turned ninety-six. A resident of Michigan, she is the mother of co-author Mary McKSchmidt.
Mary McKSchmidt is a published author, photographer, newspaper columnist, and former sports editor. At age fifty-three, she gave up her position as a president with Baxter International to pursue her passion: building the political will necessary to clean up and protect the Great Lakes. She appears frequently as a public speaker throughout West Michigan and posts monthly at marymckschmidt.com. Her books include Uncharted Waters: Romance, Adventure, and Advocacy on the Great Lakes and Tiny Treasures: Discoveries Made Along the Lake Michigan Coast. She is a resident of Michigan and daughter of co-author Jane McKinney.
With gratitude and excitement, I wish you a Happy New Year!
Mary
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