Dancing in Heaven: a sister's memoir [Paperback]

Christine M Grote (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: October 1, 2011

Dancing in Heaven is an inspirational story about my sister Annie s life, death, and her significance in the lives of those of us who loved her and others who were touched by her. Born with severe brain damage, Annie never outgrew the needs of an infant. She didn't walk or talk. Our parents fed her, changed her clothes, and lifted her from her bed to her wheelchair and back for her entire life of 51 years. This memoir provides a window into my family' s life with a severely disabled member. But more importantly, Dancing in Heaven is a testimony to the basic intrinsic value of human life. --Christine M Grote

Editorial Reviews

From the Back Cover

"This is very courageous, brave writing. Annie's story has enriched my life."  Carolyn Walker, published memoirist

 "A story crafted in the greatest love, you cannot possibly get at the stark truth of caregiving any more than this book does." Jeffrey Hillard, editor , redwebzine.org

About the Author

Christine M Grote earned a bachelor’s degree in Chemical Engineering from the University of Dayton, Ohio, in 1979. After working for three and a half years in product development at Procter and Gamble in Cincinnati, Ohio, she became a full-time homemaker as she raised three sons and a daughter. In 1999, she returned to school at the College of Mount St. Joseph, Cincinnati, Ohio, earning a bachelor’s degree in English in 2007. Christine lives in Cincinnati, Ohio with her husband Mark and their dog Arthur.

Product Details

• Paperback: 192 pages
• Publisher: Grote Ink, LLC (October 1, 2011)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0983819807
• ISBN-13: 978-0983819806
• Product Dimensions: 9 x 6 x 0.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 10.6 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (24 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,655,648 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Christine M. Grote earned a bachelor's degree in Chemical Engineering from the University of Dayton, Ohio, in 1979. After working for several years in product development at Procter and Gamble in Cincinnati, Ohio, she became a full-time homemaker as she raised three sons and a daughter. In 1999, Christine returned to school at the College of Mount St. Joseph in Cincinnati, Ohio, earning a bachelor's degree in English with a minor in Written Communications in 2007. She enjoys writing non-fiction and human interest stories.

Christine lives in Cincinnati, Ohio with her husband and their dog Arthur.

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Portrait of a Loving Family February 5, 2012

By The Kindle Book Review

Format:Kindle Edition

I received a free copy of the Kindle version of this book to review for The Kindle Book Review website, and am in no way affiliated with the author or the publisher. So when I tell you that I loved it completely, through and through, my only wish is that people will make the decision to read this book.

The author is heart-felt in her love for her extremely mentally and physically damaged younger sister, a 51-year-old perpetual infant. Christine Grote beautifully expresses her family's love and life-time devotion to Annie, who eventually died of cancer. Annie, throughout her life, doled out big dollops of love and smiles, delighting those around her. Her care was 24/7, and at the end of her life, her father also began to show the effects of the onset of Alzheimer's. Her mother, in her 70s, tried hard to be the sole caregiver and controller, but was beaten by the hefty circumstances.

Nowhere in this book did I find false affection propped up to look like family loyalty. All the emotions were genuinely loving, expressing true concern and deep loss. Again, I cannot recommend this book highly enough.

-- Java Davis (The Kindle Book Review)

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Dancing in Heaven October 12, 2011

By Margaret Sleasman

Format:Paperback

In this poignant memoir of her sister, the author tells of the love and devotion of her parents and the blessedness of having Annie in their family for 51 years. The family never regretted the decision to keep Annie at home and take care of her themselves; saying, "God gave her to us and we will do the best we can to care for her, she simply does not belong in an institution."

I could not put the book down and read it in one sitting; from it, I learned what is really important in life. Everyone should read this memoir, the author wrote with love, honor, and care to preserve the precious memories of Annie. She also wrote about some of the mixed emotions she had growing up so that we could see the struggles in her and her famillies lives. A very true-to-live story that you won't be able to put down.

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Dancing in Heaven October 20, 2011

By Linda Caldwell

Format:Paperback|Amazon Verified Purchase

"In some ways, she's the lucky one. She's never known rejection or failure or reprimand. All she's ever known is Love"

Just one of the many quotes that sticks with me after reading this loving tribute to Annie. Annie was surrounded by Love her entire 51 years of life, blessed with a remarkable family. This is a sister's story about strength, compassion, determination and unconditional Love. Annie's sweet smile speaks volumes for the love and care she received from her amazing family.