A Daughter's Promise

by JoAnne Harrop

In the earliest days of the pandemic, Covid-19 cut a deadly path through Pennsylvania's nursing homes. When the governor hinted at closing the facilities to the public, Pittsburgh Tribune-Review reporter JoAnne Klimovich Harrop had no doubt in what she would do as a result. One hour before the doors of her mother's Pittsburgh nursing home closed, JoAnne walked away from all that was precious – her husband, her home, and her career – to live in her 93-year-old mother's 250-square-foot room for the next three months. She slept on a cot next to her mother's bed, ate meals with her, and showered in a shared room with other residents. They talked about life, death, and her mother's beloved Pittsburgh Pirates. They laughed, cried, and thanked God they were together.
Eventually, the pandemic proved to be the least of their problems. Midway through JoAnne's stay, her mother was diagnosed with late-stage breast cancer. Amid her turmoil, JoAnne learned that she would be among the many reporters furloughed as the pandemic sapped her company's revenues. Her story, first appearing in the pages of the Tribune-Review, elicited an outpouring of raw, poignant introspection as readers asked themselves what they would do in her situation.
Eventually, JoAnne left the nursing home to rejoin the life she had left behind to be with her mother. The return to her former life and the mental anguish that came with it proved more difficult than she could have ever imagined. This story, both heartwarming and heartbreaking, chronicles the joy and pain of their time together. "A Daughter's Promise" reveals the bond between a mother and daughter that was so strong, not even a global pandemic could tear them apart.

244 pages, Kindle Edition

Published August 18, 2023

Reviews

[Frani Wyner]

Dedication beyond the words

This touching story of love, devotion, courage, kindness, heartbreak and strength is to be felt by all and shows us there is more to life when it comes to family...family is the strongest thing we have in life and should be cherished even in the hardest of circumstances...JoAnne is exceptional ❤️

[Paige Montgomery · Rating 5 out of 5]

Had to whip out my computer to write this review because typing it on my phone would never do it justice. JoAnne is a close family friend and from the moment I opened the book and read the hand-written message she wrote to my mom, I started crying. The tears did not stop there (Not until well after I finished the book and sat with it for some time. Edit: I cried again writing this review). I read this book in one day, a feat for me as I am easy distracted. I finished it at 1:00 in the morning, knowing I would not be able to sleep without finishing this incredible story. I'm not someone who reads newspaper articles, but I'd always take some time to read JoAnne's pieces and see the world through her brilliant eyes.
What could even be said about such an incredible story? JoAnne demonstrates bravery and faith, not only in her decision to step away from her entire life, but in deciding to share this story with the world. It took me two years to finally pick up this book (I don't know what took me so long), but as I read it I am living back at home with my parents for the first time in about five years with a broken ankle, I rarely leave the house, and I see my husband for about two hours each day. It can never compare to JoAnne's journey, but the feeling of being thrusted out of my normal life is certainly there. It really puts things into perspective that some ankle fractures aren't the end of the world. I think my mom even mentioned JoAnne offered to make me chocolate chip cookies. That's just who JoAnne is: generous, thoughtful, always doing what she can to make someone else's day better.
I don't know anyone else that has the strength to do what JoAnne did (Without a second thought, I might add) and the strength to take the time and endure the pain of reliving it to tell the story. "A Daughter's Promise" isn't just beautiful and simultaneously heartbreaking, it's a guide on how to love fully, without hesitation, and without limits.
JoAnne, I hope you see this review, because I don't know if I could ever bring it up to you without breaking into tears (As I am now, writing this). You are so fabulous and kind and brilliant. I feel really blessed to know you. It meant a lot to me to see my Aunt Nancy and Uncle Eddie's names mentioned in your story as well. Now I just really want a cup of wedding soup from Big Jim's.

[Jenn Adams · Rating 5 out of 5]

Beautiful story of an unbelievable relationship between a daughter and her parents. I don’t usually read memoir, but after reading this, I’m open to exploring the genre. The author gives a beautiful picture of Catholic life in Pittsburgh so much that I want to go visit and explore the neighborhoods and places that she described. Also this is such a spellbinding story of grief and recovery. Never have I read anything that describes grief in such a visceral way.

[Patrick Whalen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Not my typical genre, but a very well written book. A very intimate portrait of a mother-daughter relationship that will warm your heart and make you cry. And you might even learn something too. I highly recommend.