Twenty Two Prayer Poems for Care Givers [Paperback]

Donna Iona Drozda (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: April 16, 2001

Twenty Two Prayer Poems for Care Givers is a 59 page book of beautiful illustrations and poems. It has been prepared by a hospice care giver for those who are faced with the difficult task of caring for a loved one who is in the last stages of life. It is also a valuable tool for moving through the process of grieving.

Editorial Reviews

Review

"An inspired book bound to help the heart of all care givers." -- Gerald Jampolsky M.D. author of Love is Letting Go of Fear

Drozda, wrote and illustrated her first book...out of a need for balance. She was a hospice volunteer... -- Plain Dealer April 20,2001

From the Publisher

Wren House has published this first book by artist and writer Donna Iona Drozda because the area of care giving is so vital for us to learn about and acknowledge. This volume of pictures and words speaks directly to the heart and soul of the care giver. It is also an excellent source of inspiration for anyone who is interested in their spirit's health and can be used as a daily source of meditation and focus.

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Product Details

• Paperback: 59 pages
• Publisher: From Wren House (April 16, 2001)
• ISBN-10: 0970767609
• ISBN-13: 978-0970767608
• Product Dimensions: 8.8 x 8.8 x 0.3 inches
• Shipping Weight: 7.2 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (6 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,923,874 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

As a hospice volunteer my first client was 90 year old 'Nanny'. She lived in the shadow of tall luxury condominiums encroaching onto the beach of the Chesapeake Bay. Her tiny hovel, a cement block structure, where she lived alone for decades may have once been a bayside bait shop. The robin's egg blue paint peeling, every window nailed shut she lay inside the small hot and claustrophobic rooms with a space heater blowing on her frail ancient frame.

All of the prayer poems arrived as my lessons, what I call my 'compassion in action' curriculum as I sat with her. Week after week I witnessed and helped provide assistance while her life wound down. Nanny's end of life taught me, what Rosalynn Carter, recently testifying before congress teaches us all:

There are only four kinds of people in the world -

1. Those who have been caregivers
2. Those who currently are caregivers
3. Those who will be caregivers,
4. And those who will need caregivers. -

In this intimate volume I write as a care giver, for those who are currently care givers and for all of us who will one day require care givers.

Testimonials:

I have been reading your Twenty Two Prayer Poems for Care Givers and it has really helped. I am a caregiver for my husband who has a brain tumor. There are times when I feel so overwhelmed and the prayer poems help me to center again. Can we have permission to print, "Let Go" in our newsletter?
C.M. Cleveland, OH

I was immediately impressed by the book ...When reading, every now and then I found I had to stop, gather myself and start over at the top ...I am in awe. Your book is profound: deeply moving, stirring, inspiring, thought provoking and just beautiful. Also comforting and joyful.
T.R. Kansas City, MO


Fare Thee Well.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars 'A Precious Jewel of a Book', May 11, 2001

By 

Barbara (Ohio, USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Twenty Two Prayer Poems for Care Givers (Paperback)

Donna Iona Drozda has written and illustrated an exquisite first book. She is open in sharing some of her more poignant life experiences which shaped the heart of this beautiful "collection of paintings and prayer poems", including her trip to Tibet and her relationship with a 90-year old hospice patient named 'Nanny'. A Course in Miracles and other sacred teachings, particularly the study of Buddhism, lay the foundation for her refreshingly positive attitude towards life and death. This heart-felt body of work was composed for those who attend to the needs of the dying. These twenty-two prayer poems were written throughout the year and a half that Donna Iona and Nanny were together. The poems have brought me to tears in their beauty and depth and represent Donna Iona's philosophical and spiritual approach to being fully present in the world, especially to those who are in our care.In addition to her powerful poems and artwork, the quotes and stories serve to inspire one to live in a prayerful and compassionate way. It is truly grace-filled, a gift to the world, a precious jewel of a book! A portion of the sale of this book is being donated to Hospice Volunteers, Inc.

4.0 out of 5 stars Comfort floated from the poems, March 15, 2011

By 

Camylle - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Twenty Two Prayer Poems for Care Givers (Paperback)

The poems were very insightful and I found comfort within the pages. Since I am a person who reacts to colors of nature, flowers, sunshine and the endless green, yellow, red and blue, the paintings did not hold the light for me.

5.0 out of 5 stars Absolutely incredible!, September 20, 2010

By 

Jenny - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Twenty Two Prayer Poems for Care Givers (Paperback)

This book is absolutely incredible! The artwork is so beautiful, and each prayer is written with a great deal of thought and intimacy. It's so spiritual and uplifting. There were times I was moved to tears. Even the introduction to the book is beautifully written. Shortly after I read it, I shared it with a friend whose mother is receiving hospice care and he could not say enough wonderful things about it. I ended up buying another copy right away for a friend who specializes in grief ministry, and she too, was very moved by the prayers and artwork. I work in the ministry and am a hospice volunteer; I will definitely recommend this book to others. The other amazing thing about this book is that both copies I received were autographed by the author. Talk about impressive! (Note: The author's website is pretty amazing. What a lovely, gifted woman she is.)