Customer Reviews

Slices Of Sunlight, A Cookbook of Memories: Remembrances of The Children We Held

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In Slices Of Sunlight by Alice J. Wisler creates a delightfully creative, painfully original tribute to children who have died. Just as meal times traditionally draw families together, even as food has always been a way to draw people together, Wisler portrays that tradition to honor the memory of shared meals, recipes and love in this wonderful cookbook. Bereavement is such a difficult subject, especially when one has lost a child. As Wisler reminds us, we are identified by our children. How many we have, how old they are, what they become. And when they die, be it a car accident or cancer, life never returns to "normal" for the parents left behind. We expect to die first but when our children leave, others are often unable to accept our expressions of loss, pain, and grief. But somehow, the grieving parent must find a way to live again. And with Slices Of Heaven, Wisler has discovered a way to bring the memory of the lost children into shared memories and recipes, allowing the children to figuratively live again. Wisler shares what makes this cookbook different from any other: "Here, within these pages, the recipes hold the memories of children, thereby adding the best and brightest flavor to each of them. The favorite recipes are not just food, they are etched into the fibers of our hearts along with the other dear memories connected to our children. These recipes hold powerful legacies." Within the pages of this book, the reader is introduced to many wonderful children. Some of my favorites: Meet Billy, who ate meatloaf sandwiches every day at school for three years. Gregory, who climbed up on the kitchen table to scarf Caesar salad while his parents prepared dinner every night. Curt, the micro-chef who sprayed the wrong bottom of the pan. Jennifer, who could eat the entire recipe of Butter Almond Crescents herself. Slices Of Sunlight is a self-published book, and the proceeds from the sale go to The National Childhood Cancer Foundation in Arcadia, CA. I heartily recommend that all readers help themselves to a generous slice of this wonderful cookbook. For those who would enjoy contributing, Wisler is planning a second edition that will "focus not only on recipes but memorials and tributes to the children we long to hold."

Cindy Penn Reviewer

This book was helpful to me as a friend of grieving parents. There is so much hurt and misunderstanding in the world of grief. This book helps people to vent their grief in a loving and thoughtful way of their loved one; remembering as simple a thing as their favorite food...something we all take for granted with living children and family members. What a great way to introduce to the rest of the world a very precious soul of the parents'. What a great way for those of us left here to remember the one who has died. What a significant way for those of us who still have all our children here to never take them for granted. Thank you, Alice.

Yes,it is a cookbook, but more, it is a tangible way to meet these dear children of ours who have left the earth but left much behind. This provides a real way to actually taste one of the things left behind -- a favorite food! The short writeup on each child gives insight into just who he or she was. How preciious are these sons and daughters. Here, an opportunity to know them better! Thank you Alice Wisler for providing this venue.

How uplifting to see author Alice J. Wisler on WRAL's noon news today (Raleigh, NC) and hear her speak with such courage and dedication about her commitment to perserving the memories of children who have died. "Slices Of Sunight" is truly a unique grief book and one that continues to bring comfort and hope to those who are bereaved. And by the way, the Chicken Breasts Alfredo recipe she talked of on the air is delicious, too.

Alice Wisler has so thoughtfully written a wonderful book filled with warm and loving memories of our children who are no longer with us. This book brings hope, light and poetry to all who suffer the overwhelming journey bereaved parents endure as they struggle to adjust to their new lives. These recipes are poignant reminders that our children have died, but they also lived, and they will always be with us, but in very different ways. Alice's intelligence, her warmth, and her compassion for others shine throughout this book. "Slices of Sunlight" has inspired me and I recommend it enthustiastically.

I just bought Slices of Sunlight and read a little from it each night. I feel I have met the children whose lives are recorded in the pages. Truly comforting. One of these days I will, with tears, no doubt, make one of the recipes.