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Grief and Grit(s): A Daughter's Journey of Love and Loss When the World Was Upside-Down
Marsha Gray Hill's Grief and Grit(s) is an emotional odyssey that illuminates the complexities of grief, while offering a beacon of hope and inspiration for those navigating their own journeys of loss. This extraordinary memoir serves as a testament to the resilience of the human spirit and the power of love to transcend even the darkest of times.
In times of unprecedented panic, we see what we’re really made of.
Though the worldwide pandemic affected each of us differently, this time of turmoil brought one thing into stark the value of human life. When tragedy begets triaging and certain demographics are seen as more disposable than others, what does that say about our society? And what does it say about us ?
This is a story about America, about how we view the most vulnerable people in our society—our aging and elderly—both in times of crisis and in our everyday lives.
This is also a story about a mother and daughter, of a mother raising her daughter in love, faith, and confidence, then the bizarre role-reversal as that mother deteriorated to the helplessness of a child. Nothing can prepare you for that intensity of sorrow and joy.
Nothing can prepare you for what happens when the coroner refuses to show up and pronounce your mother legally dead, either.
In this stunning debut, author Marsha Hill invites you into a personal look at an uncomfortable how we treat our elderly today defines our own future. Full of tragedy and triumph, laughter and tears, grief and—yes, some good, old-fashioned grits— Grief and Grit(s) is not only a reflection of the life and tragic death of Adaline Gray, but the power of our generation to fight for human dignity at every stage of life.
In times of unprecedented panic, we see what we’re really made of.
Though the worldwide pandemic affected each of us differently, this time of turmoil brought one thing into stark the value of human life. When tragedy begets triaging and certain demographics are seen as more disposable than others, what does that say about our society? And what does it say about us ?
This is a story about America, about how we view the most vulnerable people in our society—our aging and elderly—both in times of crisis and in our everyday lives.
This is also a story about a mother and daughter, of a mother raising her daughter in love, faith, and confidence, then the bizarre role-reversal as that mother deteriorated to the helplessness of a child. Nothing can prepare you for that intensity of sorrow and joy.
Nothing can prepare you for what happens when the coroner refuses to show up and pronounce your mother legally dead, either.
In this stunning debut, author Marsha Hill invites you into a personal look at an uncomfortable how we treat our elderly today defines our own future. Full of tragedy and triumph, laughter and tears, grief and—yes, some good, old-fashioned grits— Grief and Grit(s) is not only a reflection of the life and tragic death of Adaline Gray, but the power of our generation to fight for human dignity at every stage of life.
- GenresMemoir
224 pages, Hardcover
Published February 13, 2024
3 people are currently reading
97 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 43 reviews
February 9, 2024
Grief and Grits is a daughter’s beautiful, and honest testimony to her dear mother. The events described happened during the time when the world was anxious, confused, worried and scared, yes, the global pandemic.
This account hit home to me in so many ways… caregiver to an aging mother, North Carolina setting, strong values, a fierce faith in God, parenting and grand parenting and of course as a daughter to mother who suffered with Covid in her 90’s
Marsha Gray Hill, the author, has penned a loving and heart felt story of her beloved mother she lost to Covid.
Part of the story unfolds during the height of the uncertain and scary time of the pandemic. Her words bring back so many emotions of that recent time in our history, The other parts of the book highlight the author’s childhood and the wonderful Christian influence of her parents. Her mother Adaline reminds me so much of my amazing Christian mother who actually and barely survived Covid at age 94. I was allowed to see my mama for 30 minutes a day, dressed in full protective gear and was only allowed to touch her through the bed clothes.
I relived those years of role reversal as I became the mother to my baby who looked to me for care and comfort. What a privilege!
My heart was so warmed as I read how her mother dedicated everything in her life to Jesus as she cared for family, friends and even the unlovely that many of us would be tempted to look the other way.
We are humans and in that light the author is honest and open about the events and decisions made during her mother’s care days.. What a wonderful and dedicated daughter and thank you for writing this tribute to your momma and sharing it with the world.
I would love to meet Marsha Gray Hill and invite her to a book signing in my North Carolina local bookstore.
This account hit home to me in so many ways… caregiver to an aging mother, North Carolina setting, strong values, a fierce faith in God, parenting and grand parenting and of course as a daughter to mother who suffered with Covid in her 90’s
Marsha Gray Hill, the author, has penned a loving and heart felt story of her beloved mother she lost to Covid.
Part of the story unfolds during the height of the uncertain and scary time of the pandemic. Her words bring back so many emotions of that recent time in our history, The other parts of the book highlight the author’s childhood and the wonderful Christian influence of her parents. Her mother Adaline reminds me so much of my amazing Christian mother who actually and barely survived Covid at age 94. I was allowed to see my mama for 30 minutes a day, dressed in full protective gear and was only allowed to touch her through the bed clothes.
I relived those years of role reversal as I became the mother to my baby who looked to me for care and comfort. What a privilege!
My heart was so warmed as I read how her mother dedicated everything in her life to Jesus as she cared for family, friends and even the unlovely that many of us would be tempted to look the other way.
We are humans and in that light the author is honest and open about the events and decisions made during her mother’s care days.. What a wonderful and dedicated daughter and thank you for writing this tribute to your momma and sharing it with the world.
I would love to meet Marsha Gray Hill and invite her to a book signing in my North Carolina local bookstore.
January 24, 2024
Grief and Grits is a daughter’s beautiful, and honest testimony to her dear mother. The events described happened during the time when the world was anxious, confused, worried and scared… the global pandemic.
This account hit home to me in so many ways… caregiver to an aging mother, North Carolina setting, strong values, a fierce faith in God, parenting and grand parenting and of course surviving Covid.
Marsha Gray Hill, the author, has penned a loving and heart felt story of her beloved mother she lost to Covid.
Part of the story unfolds during the height of the uncertain and scary time of the pandemic. Her words bring back so many emotions of that recent time in our history, The other parts of the book highlight the author’s childhood and the wonderful Christian influence of her parents. Her mother Adaline reminds me so much if my amazing Christian mother who actually and barely survived Covid at age 94. I was allowed to see my mama fir 30 minutes a day, dressed in full protective gear and was only allowed to touch her through the bed clothes.
I relived those years of role reversal as I became the mother to my baby who looked to me for care and comfort. What a privilege!
My heart was so warmed as I read how her mother dedicated everything in her life to Jesus as she cared for family, friends and even the unlovely that many of us would be tempted to look the other way.
We are humans and in that light the author is honest and open about the events and decisions made during her mother’s care days.
I would love to meet Marsha Gray Hill and invite her to a book signing in my North Carolina local bookstore.
This account hit home to me in so many ways… caregiver to an aging mother, North Carolina setting, strong values, a fierce faith in God, parenting and grand parenting and of course surviving Covid.
Marsha Gray Hill, the author, has penned a loving and heart felt story of her beloved mother she lost to Covid.
Part of the story unfolds during the height of the uncertain and scary time of the pandemic. Her words bring back so many emotions of that recent time in our history, The other parts of the book highlight the author’s childhood and the wonderful Christian influence of her parents. Her mother Adaline reminds me so much if my amazing Christian mother who actually and barely survived Covid at age 94. I was allowed to see my mama fir 30 minutes a day, dressed in full protective gear and was only allowed to touch her through the bed clothes.
I relived those years of role reversal as I became the mother to my baby who looked to me for care and comfort. What a privilege!
My heart was so warmed as I read how her mother dedicated everything in her life to Jesus as she cared for family, friends and even the unlovely that many of us would be tempted to look the other way.
We are humans and in that light the author is honest and open about the events and decisions made during her mother’s care days.
I would love to meet Marsha Gray Hill and invite her to a book signing in my North Carolina local bookstore.
February 16, 2024
I received a digital ARC in exchange for an honest review.
I did not finish this memoir, mostly due to the fact that it was not what I expected. Gray Hill's elderly mother died in the early days of Covid, and while any loss is a great loss, her mother was many, many years into living with dementia and extremely elderly (over 90 if I recall correctly). Gray Hill states one of her purposes is exposing the many ways in which our healthcare system is broken and ill equipped to deal with elderly patients. This was a topic I was already personally and professionally familiar with, and Gray Hill didn't want to explore solutions. Perhaps if she had researched suggestions from health care workers (of which her daughter is one), or researched the varying ways in which other countries fail and succeed in this area, I might have been more inclined to keep reading. Furthermore, the book starts out as a dry biography of her mother, rather than a memoir recalling their lives. I think this could have made an interesting magazine article but did not warrant an entire book from what I could tell.
I did not finish this memoir, mostly due to the fact that it was not what I expected. Gray Hill's elderly mother died in the early days of Covid, and while any loss is a great loss, her mother was many, many years into living with dementia and extremely elderly (over 90 if I recall correctly). Gray Hill states one of her purposes is exposing the many ways in which our healthcare system is broken and ill equipped to deal with elderly patients. This was a topic I was already personally and professionally familiar with, and Gray Hill didn't want to explore solutions. Perhaps if she had researched suggestions from health care workers (of which her daughter is one), or researched the varying ways in which other countries fail and succeed in this area, I might have been more inclined to keep reading. Furthermore, the book starts out as a dry biography of her mother, rather than a memoir recalling their lives. I think this could have made an interesting magazine article but did not warrant an entire book from what I could tell.
February 2, 2024
When I read the sneak peek of Grief and Grit's I knew it was going to be an intense story. It is a daughter’s story about losing her mother during the COVID pandemic. It is heartbreaking but unfortunately not what I expected. While completely heartbreaking and I cannot even imagine the pain I couldn’t connect. I think it was the tone of the story it jumped around the pace was way too fast and I felt like author spent so much time trying to be perfect like she thought her mom was. Rather than expressing how much she loves and misses her. That might sound odd but she came across so cross at times. Other times very judgmental like at this stage of life you do this… one thing she kept repeating throughout the book was that she referred to her mom as her baby. That was very strange and creepy to me. The Benjamin button reference was really again odd. While this was a wonderful tribute to her mom this one wasn’t for me.
February 9, 2024
This is certainly a story that needs to be told and there are thousands very similar to it. Working in the medical field during and after the COVID pandemic I’ve seen all too many. I found the author needlessly repetitive, often re-stating or copying nearly exact sentences just a few pages or paragraphs apart. I felt like she was trying to convince us and maybe herself of how she felt by repeating it several times. I was turned off by the statement that she and her husband had donated a large amount to a local hospital wing and yet her mother couldn’t get a bed. From then on I knew this was coming from a place of extreme privilege. The book became less and less about her mother and more the series of perceived slights and inconveniences that had befallen the author. Even making her sister’s reaction to their mother’s death about her, sure to point out all that she had done for her mother, multiple times. There are many valid points about American healthcare, elder culture, family values and grief, sadly all those points are lost swimming in the mire of the author’s martyrdom, ego, and privilege.
February 14, 2024
I am grateful to have received a free advanced reader copy of Grief and Grits, thanks to the author and BookishFirst. My review is my honest opinion and I’m leaving this review voluntarily. What an incredibly touching tribute this is Marsha Gray Hill’s mother. As I began reading the sneak peak, the theme and tone struck such a chord. I also lost my mom unexpectedly during the first few months of the pandemic (not from COVID, but suddenly, and in the height of the environment of fear and unknown) and I knew that this book may help me settle some of my lingering grief that I haven’t managed to process.
As the title suggests, this memoir is Hill’s own way to begin to heal and grieve from the loss of her mother, which happened at the beginning of the pandemic. She details the struggles of fighting the losing battle with the medical system during those first few months, while sharing personal stories about her mother’s life and impact on the world throughout her life. It was a little more centered on COVID than I expected, a little more of a commentary, but nonetheless, it was powerful.
I loved the author’s passion for her mother and her story. It was a beautiful tribute and also, as the title suggests, I’m sure a very cathartic means to express the multitude of feelings one goes through at the loss of a parent. I love that she got the opportunity to do this and share her story.
There are parts where she still comes across as angry (and although she acknowledges that anger is part of the grieving process) and it felt a tad misdirected at certain points. A minor criticism is that the content is bit scattered and repetitive at times, moving back and forth through time and events but ultimately saying the same thing with different words. That being said, I applaud Hill - this is clearly her deeply personal experience and it’s a wonderful way to honor the memory.
A couple of things struck me. I absolutely loved the expression and articulation of Hill’s love and grief - so many parts I was nodding along and saying “YES-that’s exactly how I feel!” So many times I highlighted portions of text because they just hit hard and perfectly capture how I feel still. For example: “I don’t think I appreciated it at the time because I couldn’t have possibly imagined life without her... But now that Mama’s gone, I can finally see the gaping spaces she used to fill. And as much as it aches to miss those empty places, I’m also overwhelmed with love and gratitude.”
The second big thing was the sentiment about how WE will be the elderly someday - and our current culture really does not value our older generations. As a society, this needs to change and I’ve never really considered that before. it really puts a lot into perspective.
I think most of us are still reeling from the pandemic and even if we think we have moved past it, there are a lot of remnants still lingering. Things that are forever changed in our lives and will never be the same again. There is definitely something to be said for the need for all of us to heal from the traumatic experience, no matter how intimately you felt loss, fear, dread, isolation, anxiety (etc, etc) during the pandemic. My takeaway from this book is that the pandemic has forever changed us, just like how the love and loss of a parent (or any important person to us) will forever change us. We can heal but we need to talk about it.
I’ll leave you with one final quote from the author: “Let's tell our stories. Let's share our losses. And as we grow and learn from the triumphs and the tragedies, maybe-just maybe—we can begin to heal.” Well done.
February 6, 2024
While reading Grief and Grits, I felt very connected to the author. There are so many facets to being a caregiver, and when a parent (in my case, both parents and my special needs brother) is the one in your care, well, that's a whole new ball game. Grief and Grit(s): A Daughter's Journey of Love and Loss When the World Was Upside-Down by Marsha Gray Hill discusses the health and wellness of family members in need and the caregivers' hardships for those they love.
Hill focuses on the time, care, and consideration it takes to be a caregiver. It is difficult for others who are not caregivers to understand the roller coaster ride caregiving truly is. It is time-consuming to ensure the loved one receives the medical attention they need, in addition to the physical demands and emotional strain. The emotional strain can be even worse when questioning if they are getting the correct care, standing up for patient rights, and navigating relations with medical staff when doing so. Sometimes, assisted living does not mean the patient gets everything they need to succeed in everyday life and tasks. Quality of life is vital during this big life transition, and it is essential to recognize that they have so much to give, even during this challenging period. I constantly looked for an advocate and fought for my family when needed. I can relate to Hill when I state that I am so glad I could be there for them and would do it again in a heartbeat.
Hill addresses how difficult it is to accept help and the emotional toll of feeling like a burden. This made it challenging for her to find the help that she needed. My mother was the same way, always smiling and not wanting to put anyone out. Hill has made a personal impact on my thoughts about caregiving as well. I'm going through some health issues right now, and I am finding myself in a similar emotional situation of having difficulty allowing others to care for me. I've always been the one in control and providing care. Thankfully, I have a husband and amazing daughters who have stepped up and are trying their hardest to help. Reading this novel has allowed me to feel more comfortable allowing loved ones to help me in return. Grief and Grits has allowed me to see that my family loves me and wants to be here for whatever I need.
This heartfelt story put into words what I couldn't seem to. Marsha Gray Hill did that for me. Her story shared the love she has for not only her mom but for her family and tradition. She also made an excellent point: someday, we will all be in those shoes (God willing). She is letting people know that now is the time for change and how important it is to prioritize family and those you love.
Thank you, Marsha, for sharing your story. Grief and Grit(s): A Daughter's Journey of Love and Loss When the World Was Upside-Down provides the reader with an eye-opening experience of helping family and opening the conversation regarding advocating for needs and quality of life. It provides comfort in knowing that you've done your best and that vulnerability is okay. This enables us to look at the future and change how those in need are cared for. I recommend this novel to anyone looking to find connections and empathy within the world of caregiving.
Hill focuses on the time, care, and consideration it takes to be a caregiver. It is difficult for others who are not caregivers to understand the roller coaster ride caregiving truly is. It is time-consuming to ensure the loved one receives the medical attention they need, in addition to the physical demands and emotional strain. The emotional strain can be even worse when questioning if they are getting the correct care, standing up for patient rights, and navigating relations with medical staff when doing so. Sometimes, assisted living does not mean the patient gets everything they need to succeed in everyday life and tasks. Quality of life is vital during this big life transition, and it is essential to recognize that they have so much to give, even during this challenging period. I constantly looked for an advocate and fought for my family when needed. I can relate to Hill when I state that I am so glad I could be there for them and would do it again in a heartbeat.
Hill addresses how difficult it is to accept help and the emotional toll of feeling like a burden. This made it challenging for her to find the help that she needed. My mother was the same way, always smiling and not wanting to put anyone out. Hill has made a personal impact on my thoughts about caregiving as well. I'm going through some health issues right now, and I am finding myself in a similar emotional situation of having difficulty allowing others to care for me. I've always been the one in control and providing care. Thankfully, I have a husband and amazing daughters who have stepped up and are trying their hardest to help. Reading this novel has allowed me to feel more comfortable allowing loved ones to help me in return. Grief and Grits has allowed me to see that my family loves me and wants to be here for whatever I need.
This heartfelt story put into words what I couldn't seem to. Marsha Gray Hill did that for me. Her story shared the love she has for not only her mom but for her family and tradition. She also made an excellent point: someday, we will all be in those shoes (God willing). She is letting people know that now is the time for change and how important it is to prioritize family and those you love.
Thank you, Marsha, for sharing your story. Grief and Grit(s): A Daughter's Journey of Love and Loss When the World Was Upside-Down provides the reader with an eye-opening experience of helping family and opening the conversation regarding advocating for needs and quality of life. It provides comfort in knowing that you've done your best and that vulnerability is okay. This enables us to look at the future and change how those in need are cared for. I recommend this novel to anyone looking to find connections and empathy within the world of caregiving.
February 18, 2024
Finished this amazing book this weekend and I have to say, I wish a copy was available a year ago! I could literally feel the heart and soul the author put into telling the story of her mama’s life, the unintended and devastating consequences of dealing with a worldwide pandemic, gaps in the healthcare system, the unrecognized value of our elderly population, but most of all being able to relate to what it’s like to feel the privilege of loving and caring for your parents in their times of need.
The year 2023 was a tragic year for me and my family. My mom had an accident and by the grace of God survived and is doing well. Almost two months later my dad passed away. I believe the dear Lord knew He was going to call my dad home and He knew my sisters and I could not lose both parents within the span of a couple of months. For that I am eternally grateful.
As I sit here, writing this review (drying the tears from my eyes) I remember what an honor it was to be able to take my dad back and forth to see his specialists, to be with him during hospitalizations, and to spend quality time with him as mush as possible…all in spite of COVID. However, I still struggle with my grief. When the author mentioned Dr. Clark’s multidimensional grief models, it really resonated with me and is so spot on; at least it is for me.
Hill mentions carrying guilt…thinking about what she could have or should have done differently or better…reflecting on the “what if’s”. I do that often. The worry can and does consume you. This book serves to give us all inspiration and encouragement to have hope and to find peace, which is a work in progress for me. The compilations of writings in the book made me feel validated.
As the book reflects on the healthcare system, specifically throughout the pandemic, I thought about what both a blessing and a curse it can be. During either of my parents’ hospitalizations, my sisters and I never left their side. We experienced good times and bad and realized that while our parents were capable of communicating their needs, they were still in a vulnerable situation at the time and needed a voice, an advocate…someone to ask more questions, someone to hold providers accountable. My heart broke for those that had no one to even visit them, much less advocate on their behalf. It is unimaginable and such a shame. This book touches on how vital caregivers, paid or unpaid, are to those in need and highlights the author’s unwavering commitment to her mama.
I want to personally thank you for writing this book so boldly and so eloquently. Thank you for wearing your heart on your sleeve, for having the courage to highlight our own vulnerabilities, for encouraging the world to have difficult conversations, and to face our fears as we navigate dreaded and dreadful situations. After reading this book, which caused me to laugh and cry, my heart feels a little lighter!
I can’t imagine how difficult it must have been to be able to share a journey that captures the heart, mind, body, and soul but this book successfully incorporated all and told a story that should be retold for generations to come.
Well done Marsha Gray Hill!!
The year 2023 was a tragic year for me and my family. My mom had an accident and by the grace of God survived and is doing well. Almost two months later my dad passed away. I believe the dear Lord knew He was going to call my dad home and He knew my sisters and I could not lose both parents within the span of a couple of months. For that I am eternally grateful.
As I sit here, writing this review (drying the tears from my eyes) I remember what an honor it was to be able to take my dad back and forth to see his specialists, to be with him during hospitalizations, and to spend quality time with him as mush as possible…all in spite of COVID. However, I still struggle with my grief. When the author mentioned Dr. Clark’s multidimensional grief models, it really resonated with me and is so spot on; at least it is for me.
Hill mentions carrying guilt…thinking about what she could have or should have done differently or better…reflecting on the “what if’s”. I do that often. The worry can and does consume you. This book serves to give us all inspiration and encouragement to have hope and to find peace, which is a work in progress for me. The compilations of writings in the book made me feel validated.
As the book reflects on the healthcare system, specifically throughout the pandemic, I thought about what both a blessing and a curse it can be. During either of my parents’ hospitalizations, my sisters and I never left their side. We experienced good times and bad and realized that while our parents were capable of communicating their needs, they were still in a vulnerable situation at the time and needed a voice, an advocate…someone to ask more questions, someone to hold providers accountable. My heart broke for those that had no one to even visit them, much less advocate on their behalf. It is unimaginable and such a shame. This book touches on how vital caregivers, paid or unpaid, are to those in need and highlights the author’s unwavering commitment to her mama.
I want to personally thank you for writing this book so boldly and so eloquently. Thank you for wearing your heart on your sleeve, for having the courage to highlight our own vulnerabilities, for encouraging the world to have difficult conversations, and to face our fears as we navigate dreaded and dreadful situations. After reading this book, which caused me to laugh and cry, my heart feels a little lighter!
I can’t imagine how difficult it must have been to be able to share a journey that captures the heart, mind, body, and soul but this book successfully incorporated all and told a story that should be retold for generations to come.
Well done Marsha Gray Hill!!
February 19, 2024
Grief and Grits (Memoir) | Marsha Gray Hill | ⭐⭐⭐⭐
At once heart-warming, evocative, reflective and almost conversational, Grief and Grits, while at its core is a daughter's homage to her departed mother; also poses some tough questions for us to ponder on.
This one's like a most heartfelt, hard-hitting and intimate rendezvous with a long lost friend, which makes you feel an entire range of emotions and leaves you with so many thoughts.
📖📖📖📖📖
Adeline Gray has lived a full life. A charitable, upright, truly Christian woman; with children, grand children and great grand children in double digits. She has beaten cancer, has been ravaged by dementia, has lost her loving husband of 51 years and still remains ever gentle, graceful and loving.
As age creeps up on her, her loving daughter has meticulously planned her last days to be happy, comfortable and even her funeral to be a grand sendoff. However, COVID sweeps in to destroy all plannings and calculations, and leaves frustration, grief and remorse in its wake.
📖📖📖📖📖
Through funny, relatable anecdotes; Marsha Gray does a wonderful job of painting us a portrait of a most extraordinary woman, her mother, Adeline.
While this would itself have been enough for a great read, Marsha, powered by her many experiences, also poses some very pertinent questions that surely need our collective attention:
The plight of the elderly, the medical system, as a whole, which treats the elderly as disposable.
How we, as a community, are still too traumatized by COVID and are afraid to have conversations about it and how that affects all of us, one way or the other.
While we don't really like thinking about and talking about old-age and death, these are but inevitabilities we need, as a society, to think and act upon, before we, ourselves, are rendered unwanted and expendable by the existing system.
I may not be able to convince you, but Marsha Gray surely can.
If nothing, you will find a good friend in the form of a book and find yourself a little bit less lonely in your battle against grief, loss, trauma and the COVID experience.
At once heart-warming, evocative, reflective and almost conversational, Grief and Grits, while at its core is a daughter's homage to her departed mother; also poses some tough questions for us to ponder on.
This one's like a most heartfelt, hard-hitting and intimate rendezvous with a long lost friend, which makes you feel an entire range of emotions and leaves you with so many thoughts.
📖📖📖📖📖
Adeline Gray has lived a full life. A charitable, upright, truly Christian woman; with children, grand children and great grand children in double digits. She has beaten cancer, has been ravaged by dementia, has lost her loving husband of 51 years and still remains ever gentle, graceful and loving.
As age creeps up on her, her loving daughter has meticulously planned her last days to be happy, comfortable and even her funeral to be a grand sendoff. However, COVID sweeps in to destroy all plannings and calculations, and leaves frustration, grief and remorse in its wake.
📖📖📖📖📖
Through funny, relatable anecdotes; Marsha Gray does a wonderful job of painting us a portrait of a most extraordinary woman, her mother, Adeline.
While this would itself have been enough for a great read, Marsha, powered by her many experiences, also poses some very pertinent questions that surely need our collective attention:
The plight of the elderly, the medical system, as a whole, which treats the elderly as disposable.
How we, as a community, are still too traumatized by COVID and are afraid to have conversations about it and how that affects all of us, one way or the other.
While we don't really like thinking about and talking about old-age and death, these are but inevitabilities we need, as a society, to think and act upon, before we, ourselves, are rendered unwanted and expendable by the existing system.
I may not be able to convince you, but Marsha Gray surely can.
If nothing, you will find a good friend in the form of a book and find yourself a little bit less lonely in your battle against grief, loss, trauma and the COVID experience.
February 19, 2024
Grief and Grits (Memoir) | Marsha Gray Hill | ⭐⭐⭐⭐
At once heart-warming, evocative, reflective and almost conversational, Grief and Grits, while at its core is a daughter's homage to her departed mother; also poses some tough questions for us to ponder on.
This one's like a most heartfelt, hard-hitting and intimate rendezvous with a long lost friend, which makes you feel an entire range of emotions and leaves you with so many thoughts.
📖📖📖📖📖
Adeline Gray has lived a full life. A charitable, upright, truly Christian woman; with children, grand children and great grand children in double digits. She has beaten cancer, has been ravaged by dementia, has lost her loving husband of 51 years and still remains ever gentle, graceful and loving.
As age creeps up on her, her loving daughter has meticulously planned her last days to be happy, comfortable and even her funeral to be a grand sendoff. However, COVID sweeps in to destroy all plannings and calculations, and leaves frustration, grief and remorse in its wake.
📖📖📖📖📖
Through funny, relatable anecdotes; Marsha Gray does a wonderful job of painting us a portrait of a most extraordinary woman, her mother, Adeline.
While this would itself have been enough for a great read, Marsha, powered by her many experiences, also poses some very pertinent questions that surely need our collective attention:
The plight of the elderly, the medical system, as a whole, which treats the elderly as disposable.
How we, as a community, are still too traumatized by COVID and are afraid to have conversations about it and how that affects all of us, one way or the other.
While we don't really like thinking about and talking about old-age and death, these are but inevitabilities we need, as a society, to think and act upon, before we, ourselves, are rendered unwanted and expendable by the existing system.
I may not be able to convince you, but Marsha Gray surely can.
If nothing, you will find a good friend in the form of a book and find yourself a little bit less lonely in your battle against grief, loss, trauma and the COVID experience.
At once heart-warming, evocative, reflective and almost conversational, Grief and Grits, while at its core is a daughter's homage to her departed mother; also poses some tough questions for us to ponder on.
This one's like a most heartfelt, hard-hitting and intimate rendezvous with a long lost friend, which makes you feel an entire range of emotions and leaves you with so many thoughts.
📖📖📖📖📖
Adeline Gray has lived a full life. A charitable, upright, truly Christian woman; with children, grand children and great grand children in double digits. She has beaten cancer, has been ravaged by dementia, has lost her loving husband of 51 years and still remains ever gentle, graceful and loving.
As age creeps up on her, her loving daughter has meticulously planned her last days to be happy, comfortable and even her funeral to be a grand sendoff. However, COVID sweeps in to destroy all plannings and calculations, and leaves frustration, grief and remorse in its wake.
📖📖📖📖📖
Through funny, relatable anecdotes; Marsha Gray does a wonderful job of painting us a portrait of a most extraordinary woman, her mother, Adeline.
While this would itself have been enough for a great read, Marsha, powered by her many experiences, also poses some very pertinent questions that surely need our collective attention:
The plight of the elderly, the medical system, as a whole, which treats the elderly as disposable.
How we, as a community, are still too traumatized by COVID and are afraid to have conversations about it and how that affects all of us, one way or the other.
While we don't really like thinking about and talking about old-age and death, these are but inevitabilities we need, as a society, to think and act upon, before we, ourselves, are rendered unwanted and expendable by the existing system.
I may not be able to convince you, but Marsha Gray surely can.
If nothing, you will find a good friend in the form of a book and find yourself a little bit less lonely in your battle against grief, loss, trauma and the COVID experience.
February 15, 2024
I mean, I knew just from the description of the book that it was going to be an intense, grief-filled story. It's about a daughter who loses her mother during the COVID pandemic.
While the story was heartbreaking, as I expected, I wasn't as strongly connected to the daughter's pain as I thought I would be, which ultimately left me feeling a bit disconnected from the story overall by the time I finished reading.
Obviously people experience different stages of grief in their own time, and everyone is different; however, for this particular book, I felt like the tone jumped all over a place, a bit much, and too fast, for my personal liking. And the anger, though an under stable part of grief, felt a bit misplaced at times.
The story was also more centered around COVID than I was expecting. I was hoping it would be more about how much Hill loved and missed her mother.
Overall, I'm glad the author got to share her story with the world, though.I mean, I knew just from the description of the book that it was going to be an intense, grief-filled story. It's about a daughter who loses her mother during the COVID pandemic.
While the story was heartbreaking, as I expected, I wasn't as strongly connected to the daughter's pain as I thought I would be, which ultimately left me feeling a bit disconnected from the story overall by the time I finished reading.
Obviously people experience different stages of grief in their own time, and everyone is different; however, for this particular book, I felt like the tone jumped all over a place, a bit much, and too fast, for my personal liking. And the anger, though an under stable part of grief, felt a bit misplaced at times.
The story was also more centered around COVID than I was expecting. I was hoping it would be more about how much Hill loved and missed her mother.
Overall, I'm glad the author got to share her story with the world, though.
While the story was heartbreaking, as I expected, I wasn't as strongly connected to the daughter's pain as I thought I would be, which ultimately left me feeling a bit disconnected from the story overall by the time I finished reading.
Obviously people experience different stages of grief in their own time, and everyone is different; however, for this particular book, I felt like the tone jumped all over a place, a bit much, and too fast, for my personal liking. And the anger, though an under stable part of grief, felt a bit misplaced at times.
The story was also more centered around COVID than I was expecting. I was hoping it would be more about how much Hill loved and missed her mother.
Overall, I'm glad the author got to share her story with the world, though.I mean, I knew just from the description of the book that it was going to be an intense, grief-filled story. It's about a daughter who loses her mother during the COVID pandemic.
While the story was heartbreaking, as I expected, I wasn't as strongly connected to the daughter's pain as I thought I would be, which ultimately left me feeling a bit disconnected from the story overall by the time I finished reading.
Obviously people experience different stages of grief in their own time, and everyone is different; however, for this particular book, I felt like the tone jumped all over a place, a bit much, and too fast, for my personal liking. And the anger, though an under stable part of grief, felt a bit misplaced at times.
The story was also more centered around COVID than I was expecting. I was hoping it would be more about how much Hill loved and missed her mother.
Overall, I'm glad the author got to share her story with the world, though.
February 9, 2024
'Grief and Grit(s)' by Marsha Gray Hill touched me on so many levels. I'm not sure that any American can say they haven't been changed by Covid and Ms. Hill bears testament to much of the pain and subsequent scars. I am a Health Care Professional who cared for less seriously ill Covid patients yet I was haunted by the media images of what was happening as well as by my own imagination. I cannot fathom the pain that Ms. Hill experienced watching her mother suffer, being torn as to the right choices to make and facing the reality that her mother, Adaline Gray, would never be a priority for care due to her comorbidities and age. I am a planner like Ms. Hill, though not to the degree she was, but I understand that she is unable to get past her image of what her mother's passing and remembrance ceremony would look like. I am also a nurturer at heart so I understand Adaline Gray's selflessness and can only imagine her demented confusion and fear in her hour of need. However, the biggest message I will remember from this book is not to wait until I'm 'wishing for more time' to commit to print the random stories that are the patchwork of who I am. Marsha Hill also reaffirmed my belief that blood and spirit family are one of life's few constants and definitely worthy of the very best my nurturing soul has to give. Thanks to Marsha Hill, BookishFirst and Simon & Schuster for getting a digital ARC in my hands. I give the book four stars and I recommend it to anyone who has experienced the last four years and mourned the loss of any amount of interpersonal interaction due to Covid restrictions. The anger, the fear, the angst of covid is well depicted in this book as is the heartbreak of the overlooked helpless senior, the fickleness of grief and the grit of the Gray family.
February 15, 2024
“Grief and Grit(s): A Daughter’s Journey of Love and Loss When the World Was Upside-Down” by Marsha Gray Hill is an emotional odyssey that resonates deeply with the complexities of grief. As I turned its pages, I found myself immersed in a poignant exploration of love, loss, and resilience.
In this extraordinary memoir, Marsha Gray Hill invites readers into her personal journey—a journey that illuminates the human spirit’s unwavering strength even amidst the darkest times. The story revolves around her mother, Adaline Gray, and their unique bond—a bond that transcends time, illness, and the inevitable passage of life.
The narrative unfolds with grace, weaving together moments of sorrow and joy. Marsha’s writing captures the essence of vulnerability, reminding us that it’s okay to feel deeply, to grieve, and to seek solace in shared experiences. Through her words, she advocates for the dignity of our aging and elderly, urging us to recognize their worth and honor their lives.
“Grief and Grit(s)” is not just a reflection of Adaline Gray’s life and tragic passing; it’s a mirror held up to our society. It prompts us to question how we treat our most vulnerable—the elderly—both during crises and in everyday moments. Marsha’s storytelling is infused with authenticity, humor, and, yes, a touch of good, old-fashioned grits.
As I closed the book, I felt a renewed appreciation for the resilience of the human spirit. Amid chaos and grief, love prevails. Marsha Gray Hill’s memoir serves as a beacon of hope, reminding us that compassion, empathy, and connection are essential threads that bind us all.🌷❤️
In this extraordinary memoir, Marsha Gray Hill invites readers into her personal journey—a journey that illuminates the human spirit’s unwavering strength even amidst the darkest times. The story revolves around her mother, Adaline Gray, and their unique bond—a bond that transcends time, illness, and the inevitable passage of life.
The narrative unfolds with grace, weaving together moments of sorrow and joy. Marsha’s writing captures the essence of vulnerability, reminding us that it’s okay to feel deeply, to grieve, and to seek solace in shared experiences. Through her words, she advocates for the dignity of our aging and elderly, urging us to recognize their worth and honor their lives.
“Grief and Grit(s)” is not just a reflection of Adaline Gray’s life and tragic passing; it’s a mirror held up to our society. It prompts us to question how we treat our most vulnerable—the elderly—both during crises and in everyday moments. Marsha’s storytelling is infused with authenticity, humor, and, yes, a touch of good, old-fashioned grits.
As I closed the book, I felt a renewed appreciation for the resilience of the human spirit. Amid chaos and grief, love prevails. Marsha Gray Hill’s memoir serves as a beacon of hope, reminding us that compassion, empathy, and connection are essential threads that bind us all.🌷❤️
December 11, 2025
Grief and Grit(s) by Marsha Gray Hill is a raw, intimate, and deeply human memoir that captures what happens when the world collapses and a daughter is forced to stand in the wreckage not just for herself, but for the mother who once stood for her. Hill writes with a clarity that aches, pulling the reader into a story where grief is not an abstract idea but a daily companion, and where love insists on being present even in the harshest circumstances.
Through the lens of the pandemic, Hill lays bare the cracks in society’s treatment of the elderly the neglect, the dismissal, the quiet cruelty of deeming certain lives “less urgent.” Yet what makes this memoir so powerful is the way she threads fury, humor, tenderness, and grit through every page. The role reversal between mother and daughter is rendered with heartbreaking honesty, capturing the bewildering mix of sorrow, duty, devotion, and absurdity that comes with caring for someone who once cared for you.
The emotional weight of her mother’s final days including the surreal moment when a coroner refuses to come is balanced by the warmth of shared memories, hard-won resilience, and the fierce determination to honor a life that mattered. Hill turns personal tragedy into a broader reflection on dignity, aging, and what we owe one another, especially in moments when society seems to falter.
This is a memoir for readers of Joan Didion, Cheryl Strayed, and Kate Bowler a story told with bare-faced honesty and a steady heartbeat of hope. Grief and Grit(s) is not just about loss; it’s about the stubborn beauty that survives it.
Through the lens of the pandemic, Hill lays bare the cracks in society’s treatment of the elderly the neglect, the dismissal, the quiet cruelty of deeming certain lives “less urgent.” Yet what makes this memoir so powerful is the way she threads fury, humor, tenderness, and grit through every page. The role reversal between mother and daughter is rendered with heartbreaking honesty, capturing the bewildering mix of sorrow, duty, devotion, and absurdity that comes with caring for someone who once cared for you.
The emotional weight of her mother’s final days including the surreal moment when a coroner refuses to come is balanced by the warmth of shared memories, hard-won resilience, and the fierce determination to honor a life that mattered. Hill turns personal tragedy into a broader reflection on dignity, aging, and what we owe one another, especially in moments when society seems to falter.
This is a memoir for readers of Joan Didion, Cheryl Strayed, and Kate Bowler a story told with bare-faced honesty and a steady heartbeat of hope. Grief and Grit(s) is not just about loss; it’s about the stubborn beauty that survives it.
February 13, 2024
This memoir is focused on the author’s experiences and grief during her mother’s downhill health slide and eventual death from COVID in 2020. The book alternates between an account of her mother’s final weeks, treatment of the elderly in the US, the author’s grief and some details about her mother’s life.
I see this book as a sort of therapy process that the author used to deal with her grief, almost like a personal journal. I’m all for this method of working through grief and I’m sure the author found it helpful. I was really looking for a personal account of what it was like to watch a loved one die from COVID as I think there are still many people in the US who don’t take the disease seriously. There was definitely some of this content that I was looking for included in this book but the alternating back and forth with the other topics I mentioned above made the book choppy and disjointed. I also found the content really repetitive - when she switched topics, she basically repeated herself over and over and this made the flow of the book not work. It seemed like she didn’t have enough content for a complete book so just repeated things. So, while the book was disappointing and fell flat for me, I hope the author gained some comfort from writing it.
#BookishFirst #NetGalley #ForefrontBooks
I see this book as a sort of therapy process that the author used to deal with her grief, almost like a personal journal. I’m all for this method of working through grief and I’m sure the author found it helpful. I was really looking for a personal account of what it was like to watch a loved one die from COVID as I think there are still many people in the US who don’t take the disease seriously. There was definitely some of this content that I was looking for included in this book but the alternating back and forth with the other topics I mentioned above made the book choppy and disjointed. I also found the content really repetitive - when she switched topics, she basically repeated herself over and over and this made the flow of the book not work. It seemed like she didn’t have enough content for a complete book so just repeated things. So, while the book was disappointing and fell flat for me, I hope the author gained some comfort from writing it.
#BookishFirst #NetGalley #ForefrontBooks
February 14, 2024
It is so hard to rate a memoir, a true account of someone's life - it to them is real, it's hard, it's ugly and it isn't something that the reader can fully understand. The author chose to show us her story and for that it is something that I view as amazing. This memoir is focused on the author’s experiences and grief during her mother’s downhill health slide and eventual death from COVID19 in 2020. The book alternates between an account of her mother’s final weeks, treatment of the elderly in the US, the author’s grief and some details about her mother’s life prior to getting sick.
This book grabbed my attention because I lost my mother to COVID19 in 2020 as well. It was sudden, it was heartbreaking and it was something that I was in no way prepared for. I resonated with the author's experience and hoped to gain some insight to what others felt and this book delivered that. I had many of the same feelings as the author and could understand the anger, upset, grief that she felt and is still feeling.
This book is an emotion read and one that I felt for days after reading. It is almost like reading my own memoir (minus the childhood memories). I applaud her for writing it and hope that it has helped her, it did help me. It gave validation to my feelings and helped me to feel that I wasn't alone.
This book grabbed my attention because I lost my mother to COVID19 in 2020 as well. It was sudden, it was heartbreaking and it was something that I was in no way prepared for. I resonated with the author's experience and hoped to gain some insight to what others felt and this book delivered that. I had many of the same feelings as the author and could understand the anger, upset, grief that she felt and is still feeling.
This book is an emotion read and one that I felt for days after reading. It is almost like reading my own memoir (minus the childhood memories). I applaud her for writing it and hope that it has helped her, it did help me. It gave validation to my feelings and helped me to feel that I wasn't alone.
March 28, 2024
The Good
I. Discusses ageism, mortality, death, ageing, transitioning from being parented to being a parent, care for young vs old, covid, medical prejudice towards elderly, trauma, fear of death, and more.
II. It talks about tough conversations that do not get talked about as much as they should. By talking about these things, you are able to sit with the feelings that you may not be truly processing through.
The Bad
Repetitive: They could have collapsed some chapters/ pages or went deeper into certain topics like COVID.
Thoughts
I. This sense that there is so much trauma being carried around from death and things that happen in life without a catharsis.
II. The urge is to push forward because life keeps going without a way to process things.
III. There is not only a burying of emotions but also accountability. Thus, there does not have to be larger change in all issues that became more transparent during covid (like flaws in medical system, how folks view the elderly, etc).
IV. This was a sad read at times but I am happy I read it.
I want to thank Forefront Books, netgalley, and Bookishfirst for making it able for me to receive Grief and Grits to review.
I. Discusses ageism, mortality, death, ageing, transitioning from being parented to being a parent, care for young vs old, covid, medical prejudice towards elderly, trauma, fear of death, and more.
II. It talks about tough conversations that do not get talked about as much as they should. By talking about these things, you are able to sit with the feelings that you may not be truly processing through.
The Bad
Repetitive: They could have collapsed some chapters/ pages or went deeper into certain topics like COVID.
Thoughts
I. This sense that there is so much trauma being carried around from death and things that happen in life without a catharsis.
II. The urge is to push forward because life keeps going without a way to process things.
III. There is not only a burying of emotions but also accountability. Thus, there does not have to be larger change in all issues that became more transparent during covid (like flaws in medical system, how folks view the elderly, etc).
IV. This was a sad read at times but I am happy I read it.
I want to thank Forefront Books, netgalley, and Bookishfirst for making it able for me to receive Grief and Grits to review.
January 7, 2024
“Grief and Grits- A Daughter's Journey of Love and Loss When the World Was Upside-Down“ by Martha Gray Hill is a lovely and meaningful testimony to her dear mother. There aren’t many times in life when we are all basically on the same page, but the recent Pandemic is surely one of them. We all were anxious, confused, worried and some of us, like the author, had to deal with grief.
The author’s beloved mother died of Covid, and part of the story focuses on this scary time. The other parts of the book highlight the author’s childhood and the wonderful Christian influence of her parents, and also the family’s attempts to help their mother as she became older.
The heart of this book for me, was the compelling story of the life of Adaline, the mother. She lived for Jesus and she truly was a light for the Lord. After her death, hundreds of people wrote to share how she had loved, helped and encouraged them.
The author is honest and open. I would have enjoyed the book more if it had been a bit more coherent and organized. But, this story is truly from the daughter’s heart.
Thanks to NetGalley and Forefront Books for the ARC of this book. This is my honest review.
The author’s beloved mother died of Covid, and part of the story focuses on this scary time. The other parts of the book highlight the author’s childhood and the wonderful Christian influence of her parents, and also the family’s attempts to help their mother as she became older.
The heart of this book for me, was the compelling story of the life of Adaline, the mother. She lived for Jesus and she truly was a light for the Lord. After her death, hundreds of people wrote to share how she had loved, helped and encouraged them.
The author is honest and open. I would have enjoyed the book more if it had been a bit more coherent and organized. But, this story is truly from the daughter’s heart.
Thanks to NetGalley and Forefront Books for the ARC of this book. This is my honest review.
February 7, 2024
Let me start off by saying that I do not like to rate memoirs. I think writing your story and being vulnerable enough to put your memories down on paper is incredibly brave, and I do not think it is fair to rate someone's life experiences.
That being said, Marsha Gray Hill writes a hauntingly beautiful tale about how she became a caretaker for her mother, who suffered from dementia and eventually passed away from COVID-19.
Being a mom, I can somewhat understand the pressure of having someone completely depend on you for everything. Personally, I lost one of my biggest inspirations in life, my grandmother, a few years ago, so I personally connected with Marsha's tale about grief. The role of older adults in our society often is ignored, and this tale heartbreakingly proved that these patients are so easily cast aside.
This was not an easy read for me. I had to stop so many times as I felt the tears starting to come. But I think being uncomfortable is a good thing. That is how change happens. This is a story that will make you think about love, loss, and the lasting impacts of COVID-19 on our society as a whole.
That being said, Marsha Gray Hill writes a hauntingly beautiful tale about how she became a caretaker for her mother, who suffered from dementia and eventually passed away from COVID-19.
Being a mom, I can somewhat understand the pressure of having someone completely depend on you for everything. Personally, I lost one of my biggest inspirations in life, my grandmother, a few years ago, so I personally connected with Marsha's tale about grief. The role of older adults in our society often is ignored, and this tale heartbreakingly proved that these patients are so easily cast aside.
This was not an easy read for me. I had to stop so many times as I felt the tears starting to come. But I think being uncomfortable is a good thing. That is how change happens. This is a story that will make you think about love, loss, and the lasting impacts of COVID-19 on our society as a whole.
February 2, 2024
A book about losing one's parent, caring for a family member with Alzheimers and living through the early days of the pandemic. Each of those topics by its self would be unsettling enough to put one into therapy for a long time. They are not topics that are easily discussed by or with anyone. There are only a few people that I have opened up to myself, since unless they have lived through the same devastation they are unable to relate and give me the support I very much need. I am grateful that the author of this book, Marsha Grey Hill recognized the importance of opening up and discussing the journey she walked through with her mother. She spoke of the support she got from her family and friends. From the very beginning ot the book I felt like I was talking to a long time friend. The author was totally open about her feelings of guilt, helplessness and relief. I hope I can walk through the end of my mother's jouney the same way. I feel like I've learned a lot that I will be reminding myself of frequently in the days/weeks/ months ahead.
February 17, 2024
A memoir about the effects of Covid and how it impacted the elderly and the relationship between a mother and a daughter.
For the most part I enjoyed traveling the healing journey with the author. I found parts of it relatable and heart moving. At other times I found the journey to be repetitive and a bit whiny. Covid was so hard for so many people and so many things were not fair. The truth is it was a new experience for everyone— even those on the front lines. I think people tend to forget that doctors and nurses are human too and navigating something they have never had to navigate before. Sometimes grace needs to be given.
I hope that the writer was able to achieve some healing as she put pen to paper as it seemed as though the book was written more so for her own healing than to help others heal too.
Thank you NetGalley and Camille Campins-Adams, Forefront Books for allowing me to read this advanced. I have voluntarily read and reviewed it. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
For the most part I enjoyed traveling the healing journey with the author. I found parts of it relatable and heart moving. At other times I found the journey to be repetitive and a bit whiny. Covid was so hard for so many people and so many things were not fair. The truth is it was a new experience for everyone— even those on the front lines. I think people tend to forget that doctors and nurses are human too and navigating something they have never had to navigate before. Sometimes grace needs to be given.
I hope that the writer was able to achieve some healing as she put pen to paper as it seemed as though the book was written more so for her own healing than to help others heal too.
Thank you NetGalley and Camille Campins-Adams, Forefront Books for allowing me to read this advanced. I have voluntarily read and reviewed it. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
February 17, 2024
A memoir about the effects of Covid and how it impacted the elderly and the relationship between a mother and a daughter.
For the most part I enjoyed traveling the healing journey with the author. I found parts of it relatable and heart moving. At other times I found the journey to be repetitive and a bit whiny. Covid was so hard for so many people and so many things were not fair. The truth is it was a new experience for everyone— even those on the front lines. I think people tend to forget that doctors and nurses are human too and navigating something they have never had to navigate before. Sometimes grace needs to be given.
I hope that the writer was able to achieve some healing as she put pen to paper as it seemed as though the book was written more so for her own healing than to help others heal too.
Thank you NetGalley and Camille Campins-Adams, Forefront Books for allowing me to read this advanced. I have voluntarily read and reviewed it. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
For the most part I enjoyed traveling the healing journey with the author. I found parts of it relatable and heart moving. At other times I found the journey to be repetitive and a bit whiny. Covid was so hard for so many people and so many things were not fair. The truth is it was a new experience for everyone— even those on the front lines. I think people tend to forget that doctors and nurses are human too and navigating something they have never had to navigate before. Sometimes grace needs to be given.
I hope that the writer was able to achieve some healing as she put pen to paper as it seemed as though the book was written more so for her own healing than to help others heal too.
Thank you NetGalley and Camille Campins-Adams, Forefront Books for allowing me to read this advanced. I have voluntarily read and reviewed it. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
May 1, 2024
This book is a poignant masterpiece, resonating with beauty and profound emotional depth.
Marsha's unwavering love for her mother permeates every page, as she tenderly recounts the challenges of caring for and ultimately losing her to Alzheimer's during the tumult of the Covid era.
Marsha's candid portrayal of her grief and the trials of caregiving is both raw and courageous. In a time when the world grapples with the pervasive impact of Covid, her story sheds light on the unique struggles faced by the elderly and their families. While grief is a deeply personal journey, Marsha's narrative serves as a beacon of solace, reminding readers that they are never alone in their pain.
This book is not just a compelling read—it is a mirror reflecting the universal experiences of love, loss, and resilience. I wholeheartedly recommend it as essential reading for all, offering solace and understanding in equal measure.
Marsha's unwavering love for her mother permeates every page, as she tenderly recounts the challenges of caring for and ultimately losing her to Alzheimer's during the tumult of the Covid era.
Marsha's candid portrayal of her grief and the trials of caregiving is both raw and courageous. In a time when the world grapples with the pervasive impact of Covid, her story sheds light on the unique struggles faced by the elderly and their families. While grief is a deeply personal journey, Marsha's narrative serves as a beacon of solace, reminding readers that they are never alone in their pain.
This book is not just a compelling read—it is a mirror reflecting the universal experiences of love, loss, and resilience. I wholeheartedly recommend it as essential reading for all, offering solace and understanding in equal measure.
February 16, 2024
I never really thought it would be hard to read a book about the COVID-19 pandemic, but alas, it was. I did not realize how much internalized trauma I was holding onto from that time of our lives but it was unraveled while reading this book.
This book brought back a lot of the emotions and fear that was running rampant during 2020 and losing a parent (even an elderly one) during that time was made much more difficult by the many restrictions put in place due to the unknowns of the virus.
This story was not just about loss. This was about a deep love within a family, in the throws of an unexpected loss, during unprecedented times.
Thank you to BookSirens for the ARC of this book. While it was a difficult read, it was one that I would do again if given the opportunity. It was interesting and cathartic to read Marsha’s story.
This book brought back a lot of the emotions and fear that was running rampant during 2020 and losing a parent (even an elderly one) during that time was made much more difficult by the many restrictions put in place due to the unknowns of the virus.
This story was not just about loss. This was about a deep love within a family, in the throws of an unexpected loss, during unprecedented times.
Thank you to BookSirens for the ARC of this book. While it was a difficult read, it was one that I would do again if given the opportunity. It was interesting and cathartic to read Marsha’s story.
March 1, 2024
This book is well-written, beautiful, and powerful.
You can feel the power of Marsha's love for her mother throughout the pages of this book. Marsha beautifully narrates the difficulties of caring for and losing her Mother, with Alzheimer's, through Covid.
I love Marsha's honesty and ability to be open about her grief and struggles through caring for and losing her Mother. I believe you would be hard-pressed to find anyone who has not been impacted by Covid but this book sheds light on the impact that Covid has had on our elderly population and their families. While grief is not lateral, it is comforting to know that you are not alone. I find great comfort in knowing we are never alone in our struggles and that there is always someone who can relate to us.
This book is absolutely worth the read and is just so relatable. I highly recommend this as a must-read for ALL!
You can feel the power of Marsha's love for her mother throughout the pages of this book. Marsha beautifully narrates the difficulties of caring for and losing her Mother, with Alzheimer's, through Covid.
I love Marsha's honesty and ability to be open about her grief and struggles through caring for and losing her Mother. I believe you would be hard-pressed to find anyone who has not been impacted by Covid but this book sheds light on the impact that Covid has had on our elderly population and their families. While grief is not lateral, it is comforting to know that you are not alone. I find great comfort in knowing we are never alone in our struggles and that there is always someone who can relate to us.
This book is absolutely worth the read and is just so relatable. I highly recommend this as a must-read for ALL!
March 4, 2024
Very Intense
This book was so good, but completely heart-breaking. Marsha Gray Hill writes such a moving tribute to her mother, and it's also a first-hand look at her process of grieving, which is something that needs a lot more attention and respect in our society, in my opinion. There's too much emphasis on moving on, which is ironic because grief is something that virtually everyone will experience at some point, yet instead of relating we all rush each other through it because it makes us uncomfortable. I believe that it is books like this one that will normalize the grieving experience for people who endure it, and help others know how to support them and not look away because of fear of saying the wrong thing, or fear of confronting such raw emotions. Hill has really done such a service in writing this book, and also created such a beautiful memorial to her mother.
This book was so good, but completely heart-breaking. Marsha Gray Hill writes such a moving tribute to her mother, and it's also a first-hand look at her process of grieving, which is something that needs a lot more attention and respect in our society, in my opinion. There's too much emphasis on moving on, which is ironic because grief is something that virtually everyone will experience at some point, yet instead of relating we all rush each other through it because it makes us uncomfortable. I believe that it is books like this one that will normalize the grieving experience for people who endure it, and help others know how to support them and not look away because of fear of saying the wrong thing, or fear of confronting such raw emotions. Hill has really done such a service in writing this book, and also created such a beautiful memorial to her mother.
February 13, 2024
Honestly, this book doesn't feel like it was made to be published for a wider audience. It was more a rough form of processing grief or eulogizing and it must have a lot of value for the author and potentially her family, but it was rough and unfocused and kind of empty from an outside perspective.
It was already a short book and repetition -- losing a topic, then reexplaining it as it circles back -- pared the story down even further.
Additionally, in my opinion, the most well-told memoirs require the author to have thorough metacognition and the ability to be honest even about their unfair or unpleasant thoughts and feelings, especially when messy and painful topics like this. I didn't think the author was able to do this. This caused certain sections to land as uncomfortably passive-aggressive, like there was anger and judgment, that had to be concealed to maintain face. There were also concepts relating to the role of family and the changing relationships in difficult times that got turned around, contained unacknowledged contradictions, or were overly repeated without going beyond the surface-level statement.
It was already a short book and repetition -- losing a topic, then reexplaining it as it circles back -- pared the story down even further.
Additionally, in my opinion, the most well-told memoirs require the author to have thorough metacognition and the ability to be honest even about their unfair or unpleasant thoughts and feelings, especially when messy and painful topics like this. I didn't think the author was able to do this. This caused certain sections to land as uncomfortably passive-aggressive, like there was anger and judgment, that had to be concealed to maintain face. There were also concepts relating to the role of family and the changing relationships in difficult times that got turned around, contained unacknowledged contradictions, or were overly repeated without going beyond the surface-level statement.
January 18, 2024
What a moving, beautiful tribute to a loving mom. The book included so many tender insights into the frailty of life in such a lovely way. I highlighted many memorable quotes that I will look back on with peace. Grief is a tricky subject and I was moved to tears many times as I worked through my own grief in other areas. You could truly feel the love, admiration, emotion, and respect throughout the book — what a gift!
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for an ARC of the book in exchange for my honest review.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for an ARC of the book in exchange for my honest review.
February 21, 2024
I realized while reading this that I know the author's husband slightly- we went to high school together. That made it more interesting to me, of course. And I appreciate her love for her family and especially her mother, but I do think she needs a good editor. There is a lot of repetition. There is an Instagram page with the same name that was recommended to me and at first I thought it was the same writer, but it isn't.. That could be confusing! Anyway, I know this is her first book and I wish her all the best.
February 14, 2024
Beautiful. Powerful. Heart-wrenching.
What struck me most about Marsha's incredible debut is how little we discuss the "less than glamorous" impacts of aging. This is an important book not just because it celebrates an amazing woman's life; it's important because it opens a long-needed discussion about grief, dignity, and care that COVID brought into stark clarity.
Beautiful story, fantastic narration, and a heart-wrenching message. I absolutely recommend picking this one up!
What struck me most about Marsha's incredible debut is how little we discuss the "less than glamorous" impacts of aging. This is an important book not just because it celebrates an amazing woman's life; it's important because it opens a long-needed discussion about grief, dignity, and care that COVID brought into stark clarity.
Beautiful story, fantastic narration, and a heart-wrenching message. I absolutely recommend picking this one up!
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