Customer Reviews

Twenty Two Prayer Poems for Care Givers

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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.

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.

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.)

Donna Drozda's book is filled with inspiring and uplifting words that fill your heart with joy. Every page brings a smile to my face. The titles of each poem catch my eye, the quotes from A Course In Miracles intrique me, the poetry is heartfelt and her paintings tie everything together. It is an easy read that touches your heart to the divine. This is a book I will read over and over. Its a great gift for anyone.

FARE THEE WELL by Sara Linda Wasserman A review of Twenty Two Prayer Poems for Care Givers by Donna Iona Drozda The original function of these prayer poems was as a listening ear, the receptacle of the inexorable feelings of doubt, fear, inadequacy, wonder, grief, helplessness, chaos, grace that unyieldingly seeped into Donna Iona Drozda's experience as a Hospice Volunteer assigned to a deteriorating, impoverished, ninety year old woman named Nanny. Twenty-Two Prayer Poems was inspired by teachings from A Course in Miracles and other sacred texts. From it's beginning, the reader is offered gentle guidance through candidly stated and reflective verses. The primary focus is to share similarities of giving care to those in the process of dying. This is, undeniably, a universal role. In one-way or another, we are all care givers. The aspiration to live an abundant life, a life free from "attachment and aversion" in the face of challenges is affirmed and supported. It is explicitly stated that this undertaking is no small accomplishment. It only happens through conscious unity with Holy Spirit. I suggest initially reading the book from beginning to end. The introductory writings and the epilogue are integral parts to gaining the totality of acumen expressed. Each prayer poem is a signpost to transformation and revelation: The Call, Authentic Power, Waiting, To Choose, Dancing on Top of the World, etc. In Being Free, we are introduced to the concept of non-attachment. In Letting Go, the fear of unclenching our fists of control is described. We are given the option to allow Spirit to "lift me above the battlefields." In True Wealth, the phrase "I dance and sing and play..." makes leaping into faith and trust joyfully three-dimensional. All Is Well, can be a mantra of reassuring love. The original artwork is a montage of paintings created by Donna over the last 10 years. The power of the images is subtle. Take time to sit with them. They too speak to us. The majority of them have shadows or darkness as part of the composition. This beautiful visual dance of light and dark may be a metaphor of the movement of life. It is an honor to re-view this precious and steadfast book birthed by my soul friend Donna Drozda. She has deftly and generously woven her ardor for creativity, art, compassion, Tibetan Buddhism, and A Course in Miracles, into a spiritual handbook for all pilgrims on the planet. I was fortunate to be Donna's assistant at her much-loved "Creativity Salons." I recall the grace it was to hear the wisdom now crystallized in these prayer poems. Her mission to make us each "portable units" is greatly facilitated by the plentiful "tool box" she presents us in this literary gift. "Can you imagine what it means to have no cares, no worries, no anxieties, but merely to be perfectly calm and quiet all the time? This is what time is for to learn just this and nothing more." ACIM

I received this book as a gift. It is great. The pictures are elegant - the thoughts profound. Very moving, touching, stirring, comforting, inspirational and just beautiful. Heartfelt.

Can you guess how much I like it?!!!