Customer Reviews

Hannah's Gift: Lessons from a Life Fully Lived

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Hannah's Gift belongs right alongside Michael J. Fox's Lucky Man on every bookshelf in the world. Nearly everyone will brush up against cancer at some point in their lives, but most of us are totally unequipped in terms of squeezing the very last drops from an ebbing life. Hannah's Gift does just that. Maria Housden addresses grief without sugarcoating its fabric and its entity. In a hospital scene, she captures the crunch of fear with a poet's quill: "There was no room in that tiny space for anything but two chairs and the truth." Housden also captures the joy, the impulsiveness, the treasure and lesson of a life that teaches us how to address the rest of ours. Hannah's red shoes, the symbol of her rich vision and carefree embracement of a moment, enrich the canvas of ours. I have loaned out this book so often that the binding is broken -- but I firmly believe it is a story that must be shared. Housden is self-effacing in her treatment of her own poignant courage, but you will see it there between the lines you absolutely can't forget.

It says that I have the opportunity to be the first one to review your book through Amazon.com. Who would have known that the spiritual connection between myself and the author, Maria (Martell) Housdan would guide me to this place to review a book that is so real and so utterly uncannilly true, because I was there, not in the forefront,but as one of Will's teachers who couldn't help to try and be totally present in the life of this family; mother Maria, son Will and daughter Hannah..Sweet Hannah in her red sparkling shoes. For all of you readers out there, as you read this book, you will find that not only is Maria Housden an incredible, inspiring and motivated author, but the story she tells is so painstakingly true, that for all of us mother's, or anyone else that has the priveledge to read this book and find yourselves "living" the story, I am almost speechless to the powerfulness of this truth as to what it might feel like to lose a child, a very old soul like that of Hannah, in the "earthly" realm of existence we call LIFE, and yet go on living and learning and transforming through the stages of grieving. The teachings that this story offers are done so in such a brave and honest way, that it gives me and I hope all of you who read "Hannah's Gift"; deeper clarity about "living joyfully in the present" and establishing a place in our lives where EGO does not rule. Where there is divine spiritual connection, one can find inner peace and harmony despite the challanges put forth to us in daily living! My tears did flow while reading this book,and although I am a very sensitive person, I think that anyone who reads Maria's book will be touched and possibly changed forever..Thank you for the opportunity to share my thoughts to all of you, especially to you my friends, Maria, Will and Hannah! I miss you all so much, please write me. Congradulations on another step in your journey!

One wonders if there has been an increase in the sale of red shoes...in all sizes...following the publication of this book...? Red shoes exemplify Hannah's zest for life. As adults, Hannah's story reawakens our own desire for zestful living, our own need for "red shoes."

Even though my son Jim died at the age of 23 rather than 3, Hannah's joyous spirit reminded me very much of my son as well as of the many children whose parents I've been honored to meet (following the death of their children).

Maria Housden's gentle prose distinguishes this book from many books written by bereaved parents. Hannah's life, rather than her family's grief, is the primary focus of the book. Hannah taught her family great lessons on "how to live life more fully." Hannah's legacy continues as readers learn much about life, death, and grief through Hannah's example.

This book should be on the bookshelves of bereaved parents, nurses, physicians, and all caregivers.

Beginning with John Gunther's DEATH BE NOT PROUD, there have been many poignant and touching books written, tragically, by parents who have lost beloved children. Hannah's Gift is different than all becuse it is the story of a very young girl who died at the age of four of cancer, but whose lasting legacy was to change the lives of all who loved her -- and, at the same time, live the end of her much too short life with dignity, grace and joy. It is also beautifully written in very surprising ways that come right off the page and grab a reader who will never forget many of the moments of this amazing book. I am the mother of a seven year old girl, and for me, one of the most astonishing moments in any book I have ever read comes near the end of Hannah's Gift. At Hannah's burial, her mother writes that the family decided to bury Hannah instead of cremate her because "I wanted to be able to come to her grave and know that the little hands I held and the form I had loved were there." Need I say more? The book is a must read for...everyone.

I was moved and inspired by the lessons and truths in this book. One of the lovelist aspects of Hannah's Gift is the way the author shares her story; simply and with such humanity that the messages really reach out and touch you.
A friend of mine says that although having a massage when she hurts is painful it is a 'grateful pain' because she knows it is helping her heal. Hannah's Gift hurt to read but it was a 'grateful pain'.
Maria Housden shares with you her lessons of Truth, Joy, Faith, Compassion and Wonder and illustrates them with intimate recollections of Hannah's last year and the path she travelled in coming to terms with her grief. I felt I was very much carried along on her journey. I was amazed at how the narrative had me crying from the bottom of my heart. There are also moments of touching tenderness and happiness which touched me just as deeply.
I think that Hannah's Gift is much more than just a book for those struggling with grief, it is an inspiration for those seeking to "live all the days of their life".
I bought this book a few days ago and have read it three times since. I have now given it to my Mum and bought another copy for a friend whose father recently died. I highly recommend Hannah's Gift.

I read Hannah's Gift in an evening. The painful yet beautiful way that Maria Housden tells the story of her daughter's last year on earth left me crying and remembering my own daugher's third and fourth years (she is now 6). I closed the book deeply touched by Hannah, Maria and Will, the brave older brother whose love is tender and strong. The lessons that Housden shares, like the importance of letting go of the fear of what others will think, are poignant. Hannah's illness and death force her mother to break through what seems important to what truly is. Three-year-olds have an amazing capacity to be in the moment. It is something I will work to remember in my own life and with my own children.

This is not a book about a little girl's death. It's a book about her extraordinary life, how she made the most of her short years, and changed the lives of those she touched. Read this book and you will become one of the touched. I read this book in an afternoon. At times the story is heartwrenching--I cried a lot! However, it's a small price to pay to learn some very important lessons. It's time we stop trying to isolate ourselves from cancer. Ignoring it won't make it go away and don't think for one second that ignoring it means it won't happen to you. Share the burden(and joys)of Hannah and her family and you will be richer for having done so.

Thank you, Maria, for writing the touching story of your daughter's struggle and eventual succumb to cancer. To have had such a joyful, honest, and open spirit in your life must have been amazing. My daughter is now three years old and I often find myself trying to shape her into my mold of what is "correct" instead of letting her be what she wants to be, whether it's wearing her pink, sequined dress-up outfit all day or dancing in her underwear in the front yard. I have been inspired to just let her be her 3-year old self and not worry about should be, but what is.

The prose in this book will suck you in and put you right at Hannah's bedside as she deteriorates. You will feel everything her mother feels and I guarantee you won't finish with a dry eye. After you do finish, you will go to your children and hug them as tightly as you can, as I did...it was a compulsive feeling.

Thank you, Hannah, for being such a free spirit and for showing the rest of us what a life fully lived means. It means putting yourself in the moment and taking every ounce of pleasure from it, no matter what anyone thinks. I am going out today to buy Gabrielle some red mary janes!

When you think of it, how often do we allow ourselves to learn from children. How often do we signal to our kids that we are open to their wisdom- that, indeed, they have much to teach us.

I think that's what I'm so grateful to Maria for. It is awesome to realise what an impact Hannah Martell had on the people she met, aged just 3 then 4. She even permanently influenced hospital procedures by her insistence on being treated as an individual. And the closeness between her, her older brother Will and Maria herself is such a wonder.

I can't imagine anyone not loving this book - and finding so very much to apply to their own lives, and how to live them most fully, accepting ALL the wonders that come.

What a team!

Once you pick this book up you can't put it down. I laughed and cried through this poignant story that teaches us about life's important lessons.

As a father and person trying to live life the best way possible this book is a guide and window into your soul.

In the same way "Tuesdays with Morrie" touched us, "Hannah's Gift" lifts us all while speaking life's truth from the perspective of a beautiful child and courageous mother.

Don't miss this treasure.