Remembering Mother, Finding Myself: A Journey of Love and Self-Acceptance (Paperback)

by Patricia Commins (Author) "Death does not end a relationship..." (more)
Key Phrases: understanding our mothers, remembering mother, internal mother, Path of Understanding, World War, Aunt Jeanne (more...)

Editorial Reviews

Review
As we enter the age of balance, we need to take a close loot at how we, as women, have perpetuated the demands of perfection that kill our souls. This book is, without a doubt, inspired by the feminine face of God. As we examine our connection to our first source of love, we open our hearts to fell that unconditional embrace of acceptance that we all crave. -- Sonia Choquette, author, The Pychic Pathway: A Workbook for Reawakening the Voice of Your Soul

Thank you for creating the book, Remembering Mother, Finding Myself. You have addressed an area of concern to many in an enlightened yet practical and forthright manner. Drawing upon and sharing your own experiences and inviting others to do the same in order to promote healing in the mother-daughter relationship sets a brave model to others. This is a book for all women. -- Dr. Micelle Thompson Iyaman, Psy.D., licensed clinical psychologist, president, Iyamah Behavioral Healthcare, Ltd.

Product Description

The loss of a mother is one of the most traumatic experiences of a woman's life. At any age, a mother's death may leave a daughter with feelings of anger, abandonment and profound sadness that taint the way she views herself, her world and every other relationship around her. In this breakthrough book, author Patricia Commins, who lost her mother at 26, shows readers that the key to escaping the sorority of sorrow is by understanding their mothers as women and by feeling an ongoing connection with them.

From this perspective -outside the parent-child relationship that is so fraught with conflict and complex emotions - women gain key insights into their mothers and themselves. By addressing the psychological and spiritual connection that remains after a mother's death, Remembering Mother, Finding Myself offers the essential element that is missing from other books on motherless daughters. The Path of Understanding -a unique experiential process based on journaling, conversations with friends and relatives, and meditative exercises- does not seek to negate the loss a woman feels when her mother dies. It instead gently leads her beyond the grief and pain to a new awareness, freeing her from forever trying to be the perfect daughter.

Through her own illuminating experiences and those of other women, Commins shows women how to reconnect their deceased mothers while finding peace and self-acceptance. Included are interviews with dozens of women, including such notables as writers Joyce Maynard and Nancy Friday and psychiatrist Elizabeth Kubler-Ross.

--This text refers to the Kindle Edition edition.

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Product Details

• Paperback: 275 pages
• Publisher: HCI (April 1, 1999)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1558746668
• ISBN-13: 978-1558746664
• Product Dimensions: 8.3 x 5.4 x 0.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 14.1 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars See all reviews (11 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #141,586 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

12 of 12 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Truly a blessing, August 23, 2005

By	Janet Giffin (Ajax, Ontario Canada) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

What a blessing this book has been for me! My mother passed away recently after a long illness. Our relationship was often turbulent and my childhood and teen years were sometimes difficult. I spent a lot of my time being angry with her but this book really opened my eyes as to the struggle my mother had just with trying to survive on a day to day basis. I saw my mother in this book and discovered the answers to many questions that baffled me about the kind of person she was. Loving and laughing one minute then crying and accusing the next minute. Now I know why. Thank you, Patricia, for writing this book. My mom and I had many good times too. She had a great sense of humour and I cherish that part of my mother. Your book is a precious gift.

12 of 13 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars It was a gentle, helpful guide to understanding my mother, April 12, 1999

By A Customer

This is a gentle, loving book. Patricia Commins pulled me through this process without judgement or bias, using compassion and support instead. I did some of the exercises and found them useful, especially putting my mother in the context of the years in which she grew up and was a young adult. The book helped me take what I admire about my mother and leave the rest. I think any reader could find themselves in this book, including and especially women whose mothers are still alive. The book is really for and about the reader. I found it a wise, wonderful read.

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars remarkable,well-written book, April 26, 1999

By	[e-mail] (USA) - See all my reviews

This book is so well written. It is a journey every woman should take whether they had a good relationship with their mothers or not. I received alot of knowledge and healing from reading certain parts of the book and have been able to come to terms with my mother because of Patricia,s book.