Customer Reviews

On My Own at 107: Reflections on Life Without Bessie

5 star:		(15)
4 star:		(0)
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1 star:		(0)

 

 

i think this book would be a wonderful source of comfort for ANYONE who has lost a partner or loved one...it is so 'upbeat' and positive that it would help the survivor cope with loss. it is delightfully written and offers a perspective from 107 years of life that most of us will not achieve! i am giving this book to friends who need comfort and a new perspective on continuing with their lives.

I read the first two books about these two remarkable sisters ("Having Our Say," and "The Delaney Sisters' Book of Everyday Wisdom") and they also deserve five stars each, absolutely. In fact, the best book, in terms of literary merit, is the first one, and I loved looking at the photos in the book of the whole family, going back a few generations.

But this book here really helped me in the first year of my husband's death. I read it at least once a week, usually more. I found strength in the fact that if Sadie could make it on her own after being practically attached at the hip for over 100 years to Bessie, and loving each other so much and so well, then I would somehow find the strength to go on too.

Sometimes I was so cried out, but I was still so sad and wanted to cry more, but the tears wouldn't come. The way the "as-told-to" author Hearth expressed Sadie's feelings always helped bring back those cathartic tears.

I read many books of comfort for the grieving widow, but for some reason, this little book near saved my life.

Bessie was my favorite sister. She had so much fire and flare. I'll miss her. This book really allows people that have lost someone to understand that a relationships still exists even though a person isn't physically here. Sadie has pictures of Bessie's favorite flowers from her garden on every other page. It is the best tribute to a person's life that I have ever read or seen. This book proves that it is the simple moments of compassion that make a life so great!

Grief is pictured beautifully here as "Sadie" describes her first year after the death of her beloved sister with reference to the beautiful flowers Bessie always raised. The fall and winter of dormancy and renewal in her grief gradually gives way to the vibrancy of spring blooms and summer sun.

When Sadie sees the first spring flowers peeking through the snow, she realizes for the first time that she will grow through her grief. This is a stirring portryal of the experience we all face.

Sarah Delany is truly an inspiration as she speaks from her heart about coping with the loss of her sister. I found the flower sketches and comments relating to her sister to be very comforting. This book is a moving account of how it feels to lose someone close to you. Having lost both my parents last year--I found that this book made me feel a little better!

What a courageous and forthright account of the mourning of a soulmate. Having Our Say is complete with this little book as its follower. Sarah Delaney shares her inner thoughts in this moving chronicle of her first year without Bessie. Her strength at 107 years old is beautiful to witness. After my first reading, this book was sent to my own baby sister for her birthday

Sadie and Bessie Delany lived together for over 100 years before Bessie died at the age of 104 in the home that the two sisters shared. They were well-educated African-American women in an era when few blacks or women attended college. Sadie was a teacher and Bessie worked as a dentist. The sisters were devoted to each other and Bessie's death was a severe blow to her older sister.

The original story about the sisters is told in "Having Our Say". This book by Sadie chronicles her experiences in learning to live without her sister in the difficult first year after Bessie's death. Sadie's faith, common sense, love, and wisdom come shining through in this little book.

Sadie Delaney's beautiful tribute to a 100 yr.old relationship. Sisters separated by death (but not by spirit) live on in this poignant memoir. The grieving process unfolds within the pages like the blossoming of Bessie flowers. Seasons of life (and death) bloom in synchrony with the flowers that live on to comfort Sadie. They bloom in spite of their loss as does Sadie. The indominable spirits of both Sadie & Bessie abound.

The book was received quickly and in excellent condition. This is a charming book about the relationship between two elderly sisters and how one of them goes on after the death of the other. Good spiritual insights, charming.

I love this book! These two ladies grew old gracefully & with dignity, very positive role models. This is a very easy read book as well as encouraging & uplifting. I highly recommend this to anyone.