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14 Days: A Mother, A Daughter, A Two Week Goodbye
"I wonder if my first breath was as soul-stirring to my mother as her last breath was to me."
How do you let go of a hand you've held your whole life? When Lisa traveled home to visit her parents in December 2011, she never expected an ordinary three-day weekend to turn into an extraordinary 14-day observance of her mother’s life – and ultimately – death. 14 Days is a story of parental loss, and how to lovingly, bravely and gracefully let go of a hand you’ve been holding your entire life. From a child’s first breath, to a mother’s last, this memoir shows how closing that circle can be a celebration of this unbreakable bond.
How do you let go of a hand you've held your whole life? When Lisa traveled home to visit her parents in December 2011, she never expected an ordinary three-day weekend to turn into an extraordinary 14-day observance of her mother’s life – and ultimately – death. 14 Days is a story of parental loss, and how to lovingly, bravely and gracefully let go of a hand you’ve been holding your entire life. From a child’s first breath, to a mother’s last, this memoir shows how closing that circle can be a celebration of this unbreakable bond.
225 pages, Hardcover
First published November 10, 2015
18 people are currently reading
1116 people want to read
About the author
Lisa Goich
8 books24 followersLisa Goich is an award-winning copywriter, major market talk radio host, blogger, journalist and former stand-up comedian. Graduating from Central Michigan University with a degree in journalism, she has spent her life dedicated to the written word, the spoken word and the arts. Lisa has worked for some of the biggest names and corporations in the literary and entertainment business, including Mitch Albom, Carole King, Robert Redford, ABC, The WB, CAA and Playboy. She has written ads for The American Red Cross, KFC, 7-Eleven, Thorn Apple Valley, and numerous TV and radio stations. As a talk radio host and producer, Lisa has worked for major market terrestrial radio stations KFI AM 640 in Los Angeles (America’s #1 Talk Radio Station), the iconic WJR AM 760 in Detroit, KLSX/Los Angeles and KTLK/Los Angeles. Lisa currently serves as a senior project manager for the Jazz and Comedy genres of the GRAMMY Awards. Lisa’s first book, “The Breakup Diary,” was published in 2002. She lives in Los Angeles with her husband, musician Teddy Andreadis (Guns ‘n’ Roses, Carole King, Alice Cooper, Billy Bob Thornton), and their four rescue dogs. She and her Maltese mix, Angie, work with hospice patients and their families, helping to make their transitions to the other side a loving, bonding and peaceful experience. Lisa's current book, 14 Days: A Mother, A Daughter, A Two-Week Goodbye will be available November 10, 2015 at a bookstore near you!
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Displaying 1 - 29 of 29 reviews
November 10, 2015
Reading a memoir is like being invited into another person’s world and experiencing their life first hand. A good memoir shares a universal truth—a takeaway—for the reader. The main takeaway in this memoir is how letting go of a beloved mother can be an opportunity to celebrate life and every precious moment left. The major themes are parental loss, the mother-daughter bond and letting go.
In Lisa Goitch’s memoir, we meet her mother, Millie Goich who has been sent home from the hospital to prepare for her final days. A foreward by bestselling author, Mitch Albom and by Millie sets the stage for the heartwrenching letting go process told from the author’s point of view. What happens in those two weeks turns out to be an extraordinary celebration of Millie’s life.
Goich’s writing is honest, empathic and engaging and is reflective of a great love for her mother. I appreciated how she wove in humor to provide some light moments. Her little dog, Angie even comes alive on the page. Her characters are fully developed, especially Millie, to the point where I could see her, hear her and sense her larger –than –life persona, “make sure you take cookies home when you leave” often being her parting words to visitors”.
The author’s reflections about the letting go process were stunning in their breathtaking clarity and raw emotions. They reconnected me to the memory of being at my beloved father’s bedside where I was so privileged to hold his hand for hours as he left us. I felt consoled by my own memory as well as by the author’s ability to gracefully let go in the end.
I admire the author’s ability to share her deepest feelings so clearly and openly and I feel very honored to have met Millie Goich. In sharing her story of love, loss and letting go, Lisa has touched us all. I highly recommend this book not only as a poignant and powerful story but as a guidebook for anyone experiencing the loss of a loved one. A beautiful tribute to a beloved mother.
In Lisa Goitch’s memoir, we meet her mother, Millie Goich who has been sent home from the hospital to prepare for her final days. A foreward by bestselling author, Mitch Albom and by Millie sets the stage for the heartwrenching letting go process told from the author’s point of view. What happens in those two weeks turns out to be an extraordinary celebration of Millie’s life.
Goich’s writing is honest, empathic and engaging and is reflective of a great love for her mother. I appreciated how she wove in humor to provide some light moments. Her little dog, Angie even comes alive on the page. Her characters are fully developed, especially Millie, to the point where I could see her, hear her and sense her larger –than –life persona, “make sure you take cookies home when you leave” often being her parting words to visitors”.
The author’s reflections about the letting go process were stunning in their breathtaking clarity and raw emotions. They reconnected me to the memory of being at my beloved father’s bedside where I was so privileged to hold his hand for hours as he left us. I felt consoled by my own memory as well as by the author’s ability to gracefully let go in the end.
I admire the author’s ability to share her deepest feelings so clearly and openly and I feel very honored to have met Millie Goich. In sharing her story of love, loss and letting go, Lisa has touched us all. I highly recommend this book not only as a poignant and powerful story but as a guidebook for anyone experiencing the loss of a loved one. A beautiful tribute to a beloved mother.
March 3, 2016
After receiving this for a Christmas gift and letting it sit on the top of the stack for a while, I reluctantly picked it up. How could I relate to it? This author had the chance to BE with her mother as she died, to take care of her, to prepare herself. I was envious and couldn't understand how their story could help me in my very different loss of my mom who died suddenly, without warning, 21 years ago. But Lisa's story about Millie's dying was a balm - I laughed so much and was touched by how much Lisa revealed of her own life and Millie's quirky, funny situations. And I cried as I read about the tenderness they experienced and the faith and calm they had. I have no doubt that Millie is in heaven and that my mom welcomed her. The book also made me so glad for my husband's journey with his own mom in hospice and that he had the privilege to be with her as she drew her last breath - as Millie was surrounded by her loves when she left this world - ready and having said her amazing good-byes.
August 18, 2015
This book is amazing, and I don't say that lightly. I was incredibly fortunate to read an advance copy. As I read and sobbed, my husband kept rushing over to me, asking me if I was laughing or crying, and honestly most of the time I couldn't tell, I just knew I never wanted this precious book to end. We all have moms and we will all lose them one day. If you've been through losing yours, you'll relate to the sweet, tender, hilarious moments, and even the difficult, embarrassing, messy parts of saying goodbye to a loved one. If you still have that milestone ahead, Millie and Lisa will show you the way. Trust me when I say, this is the book you will want to buy in bulk for your girlfriends. It's really that good.
April 19, 2016
Made me ugly cry and call my mom
December 11, 2015
A candid and poignant story about parting ways with a beloved parent. These stories surround us constantly, and come to visit most of us personally in time, and yet we don't really talk about them, whether out of fear of bumming people out or fear of confronting our own mortality. This big-hearted and quick-witted ode, while obviously sad, is in many ways the happiest sort of death story. A long life, a loving family, a lucid farewell. I'll take that. The specters that haunt some of our last days — bitter family disputes, negligent insurance providers, Guantanamo—level health care facilities — aren't part of this story. There are no manufactured fireworks or falling-outs; one of the biggest conflicts revolves around a sweatshirt (an awesome sweatshirt, let it be known).
(Full disclosure: the author is a former colleague and an entertaining presence on my Facebook feed.)
(Full disclosure: the author is a former colleague and an entertaining presence on my Facebook feed.)
September 8, 2015
This book was a great read that will hit you right in the feels. Death is a touchy subject to most people. It's hard to talk about let alone tell millions of people. I relate to this book because I too lost my mother when I was very young. Reading about Lisa's struggle she went through with losing her mother finally makes me not feel alone. It was nice reading about someone else's journey through death. I didn't have to watch my mother die but losing a parent anyway isn't easy. I love this book and I recommend it to anyone feeling a little lost because of the death of a parent. This book makes you happy and sad all rolled into one. This is a must read!
April 13, 2016
This book is a must-read for anyone who has parents. It is a touching, smart, funny look at the relationship between Lisa and her mother during the final 14 days of Millie Goich's life. Lisa Goich-Andreadis is one of those extraordinary authors who can transport you into the story. I felt like I was a member of the family, not just a reader. We should all be so lucky to have a mom like Millie, and to have such precious time before death to get to say and do the things we'd like to do before a loved one passes. It allows the reader to confront the subject of a parents' death with humor, love, a healthy dose of fear, and ultimately.... peace.
February 8, 2016
I suspect that many people would look at this book as a 'women's read.'
Could not be further from the truth.
If you don't see at least a part of yourself in this work, wait. You will, you just haven't lived long enough yet.
The themes here are universal. And make many poignant points about the all too human nature we share.
I believe it takes guts to reveal not only the details of one's life on the printed page, but the workings of a soul as well. Lisa does that and more here.
This book is short, but will inspire a lot more time spent contemplating life, love and fate.
Could not be further from the truth.
If you don't see at least a part of yourself in this work, wait. You will, you just haven't lived long enough yet.
The themes here are universal. And make many poignant points about the all too human nature we share.
I believe it takes guts to reveal not only the details of one's life on the printed page, but the workings of a soul as well. Lisa does that and more here.
This book is short, but will inspire a lot more time spent contemplating life, love and fate.
May 20, 2020
I found this book through the group "Tuesday People" after getting to "know" Lisa through the podcast. This book is heartfelt, emotional, and funny (shocking, I know). I love the style of the book as well. It is told during my favorite time of year (Christmas), but unfortunately for her that was the time of the passing of her best friend, her mother. She has a way of writing about the journey of the time of year that is rather symbolic in nature. She shares memories of her mom, their time saying goodbye, and she is very open about this journey & process.
August 1, 2015
I received a copy of this book free from the good-reads first-reads program. Death can be a touchy subject for most people. Especially if you are talking about a mother or parent. Lisa talks about the brutal struggle she went through, different emotions and the experience of losing her mother in 14 days. For me, the book was incredible and really talks about what people go through when they lose someone. I couldn't recommend this book enough.
January 1, 2016
14 Days is about the last 2 weeks of Lisa's mother's life. It is a memoir that makes you laugh, question and cry, It deals with what all of all of us will face, death of a life one and our own death. Care giving is universal in some of the reactions and feelings but Lisa' mom,Millie Goich, has time that not everyone gets. Millie Goich is sent home from the hospital to prepare to die. It is a book that reaches out and touches you.
I received this book thru Goodreads Giveaways.
I received this book thru Goodreads Giveaways.
February 12, 2016
This is a beautiful, well written memoir of Lisa Goich's loving tribute to the end of her mother's life. Lisa invites us into her family and spares no detail about Millie Goich's last voyage, which is at times warm, humorous, and heartbreaking. A daughter saying goodbye to her mother over a two week period and having the luxury of that goodbye is a gift to the reader.
July 11, 2018
I don’t know what compelled me to read this book. For me, having walked in the same shoes it was heart wrenching. I don’t think I can offer a valid review of it given how close to home it hit. It brought up vivid memories if details I’d forgotten and opened up the floodgates of grief on more than one occasion.
August 24, 2020
This book is a wonderful and humorous book about the last 14 days a daughter spent with her dying mom. Yes I said humorous, the mom kept her well known attitude all the way to the end. As someone who has been there during the last moments of ones life, experiencing the true personality of the person during the journey is a treasure to hold onto.
August 15, 2015
Straight from the heart. Ms. Goich-Andreadis' book touched me deeply and conjured up memories of my last two weeks with my father. It is a poignant story that touches on respecting the wishes of the dying and devoted love. I shed a few tears.
November 10, 2015
Experience the warmth, emotion, laughter, joy and tears that this writer shares, during her much-loved mother's final two weeks, into her peaceful passage to the next world. Heartfelt and humorous, happy and sad... you'll love this book! Highly recommend!
March 5, 2016
I love this book. After loosing my mom it really pulled my heart.
I am so appreciative that Lisa shared her personal experience. We all have a mom, and we can all relate.
There is biting reality, humor and real emotions in this read. You must put this on your list.
I am so appreciative that Lisa shared her personal experience. We all have a mom, and we can all relate.
There is biting reality, humor and real emotions in this read. You must put this on your list.
October 21, 2015
A sad and moving story
January 21, 2016
Definitely a difficult read. But glad I read it.
November 19, 2021
A loving tribute
Thank you for sharing your memorable and moving heart felt days with us. As I read this story I was touched by your words, and found myself thinking about memories of my own mother.
Thank you for sharing your memorable and moving heart felt days with us. As I read this story I was touched by your words, and found myself thinking about memories of my own mother.
October 17, 2022
I enjoyed every single page. I am only sorry I did not read it sooner! What a lovely diary! I lost my own Mom and this was a very personal and beautiful account of Lisa's relationship with her Mother.
February 23, 2023
Was hoping to read this book before my aunt had passed since she only had a couple months left unfortunately in the library didn't have an available until after 2 weeks after she was gone maybe it's best I read it after. Definitely pulls on your heartstrings
April 18, 2024
What a beautiful tribute to Lisa’s mother, Millie Goich, in her final days. Lisa shares memories from those 14 days as well as some growing up with Millie by her side as her greatest advocate. These are memories that will last forever. God bless this family for all they did for their Princess.
Read
March 23, 2023Wow. Laughed and cried.
October 20, 2020
This is actually a note to all my readers, not a review. I am hoping that those who come here to check out, or write about, "14 Days" will see my words of gratitude.
Writing a memoir like "14 Days," that follows my mother's last two weeks of life, wasn't easy. But I always hoped that it would serve as a guide for others going through similar losses. No two losses are alike. And no two people grieve the same way. But what we all have in common is that, in this lifetime, we ALL will lose someone we love.
Though "14 Days" was about my personal journey, my next book is about YOURS. "I Wonder: A Guided Grief Journal" comes out March 2021. It's a guided journal based on a quote from "14 Days" that took on a life of its own:
"I Wonder if my first breath was as soul-stirring to my mother as her last breath was to me?"
Using the words, "I wonder..." I crafted a book of prompts and exercises to help you write about your loved one who has passed, and to heal yourself with your own words.
The book is available for pre-order wherever books are sold. Join the "I Wonder" community on Facebook and Instagram @guidedgriefjournal. Every Sunday we offer "Sunday Journals" - exercises to help.you write your way through your week.
Oh, and before I forget, if you haven't listened to the Tuesday People podcast with author Mitch Albom yet, I would love for you to join us every Tuesday! Our podcast is available through your favorite podcast provider. Each week, we share wisdom from Mitch Albom's beloved Professor, Morrie Schwartz, through topics that are related to Mitch's best-selling book, "Tuesdays with Morrie." We also have a very thriving and thoughtful community on Facebook @wetuesdaypeople. Join our group!
Hope you will all join me for this next journey! Leave comments below - I would love to hear from you!
xx
Lisa
Writing a memoir like "14 Days," that follows my mother's last two weeks of life, wasn't easy. But I always hoped that it would serve as a guide for others going through similar losses. No two losses are alike. And no two people grieve the same way. But what we all have in common is that, in this lifetime, we ALL will lose someone we love.
Though "14 Days" was about my personal journey, my next book is about YOURS. "I Wonder: A Guided Grief Journal" comes out March 2021. It's a guided journal based on a quote from "14 Days" that took on a life of its own:
"I Wonder if my first breath was as soul-stirring to my mother as her last breath was to me?"
Using the words, "I wonder..." I crafted a book of prompts and exercises to help you write about your loved one who has passed, and to heal yourself with your own words.
The book is available for pre-order wherever books are sold. Join the "I Wonder" community on Facebook and Instagram @guidedgriefjournal. Every Sunday we offer "Sunday Journals" - exercises to help.you write your way through your week.
Oh, and before I forget, if you haven't listened to the Tuesday People podcast with author Mitch Albom yet, I would love for you to join us every Tuesday! Our podcast is available through your favorite podcast provider. Each week, we share wisdom from Mitch Albom's beloved Professor, Morrie Schwartz, through topics that are related to Mitch's best-selling book, "Tuesdays with Morrie." We also have a very thriving and thoughtful community on Facebook @wetuesdaypeople. Join our group!
Hope you will all join me for this next journey! Leave comments below - I would love to hear from you!
xx
Lisa
December 13, 2015
I gave this book an extra star because I heard the author speak the day I read the book. Many of the people mentioned in the book were at the presentation so the book about death came alive for me. Lisa's personality comes through authtentically in her memoir.
June 21, 2023
I really enjoyed reading this book and could relate a lot to it having lost my Mom and caring for her at the end. It was interesting to read about the dynamics of the siblings caring for their Mom.
Displaying 1 - 29 of 29 reviews