Cards for Brianna: A Mom's Messages of Living, Laughing, and Loving as Time Is Running Out

by Heather McManamy, William Croyle (With)

Though the end of your life may be near, it doesn't mean you have to stop living After being diagnosed in her early thirties with terminal breast cancer, Heather McManamy felt like her life was crumbling. Her "normal" vanished―and was replaced with multiple surgeries and dozens of chemo treatments that could briefly extend her life, but would not prevent her inevitable death. With an effervescent spirit and a new perspective, Heather started to live each day as if it were her last. She learned to soak in the moment, appreciate the beauty around her, and celebrate her blessings. She also pondered her daughter's future journey without her mother―and gracefully prepared for it. Heather began to write greeting cards to Brianna. Cards for her first day of school, her sixteenth birthday, her wedding day. Cards for when things were going right and when they were going wrong. Cards for when Brianna would need her mother―whether in five years or in fifty years―and Heather wouldn't be able to be there for her. Cards for Brianna is the story of one mother's powerful love for her young daughter and Heather's unmatched experiences, laced with laughter and charm, are a reminder to never take a single day for granted.

Genres: Nonfiction, Self Help

224 pages, Hardcover

Published April 12, 2016

Reviews

[Cindy · Rating 5 out of 5]

I had really expected to fully cry my eyes out reading this book. Instead what I found was inspiring. And I think that was Heather's intention. To remind people to enjoy life for all its worth while you can.

I didn't know Heather, but she lived in a neighboring community. So her story was well known. It is definitely a sad story and she shares bits of that in her book. But she truly was the brave one. To withstand treatment after treatment so that she could go on and have one more..one more day with her daughter, one more day with her husband. One more, because she didn't know when those one mores were going to end.

This book shows that even on her darkest, hardest days, she chose to turn to laughter to help bring her back up.

It is not easy to read a book when you know it doesn't end a miraculous recovery or a happy ending. But the insights Heather shares from her last months are poignant reminders of how to love a life that everyone should read.

[Stephanie Connor · Rating 5 out of 5]

An emotional read, reminding us to live each day to the fullest and always find hope.

[Camila · Rating 5 out of 5]

Valeu demais a leitura!
Mais do que uma lição de vida o livro é uma lição de amor. Amor pela filha, pelo marido, pelos amigos e pela vida.
É triste saber que uma pessoa tão jovem se vai e de uma maneira tão sofrida, porém é lindo ver a forma como ela ressignificou a doença e como ela passou a dar mais valor ao dia a dia e as "pequenas" coisas q muitas vezes deixamos passar despercebidas.
Em tempos difíceis é bom ler histórias que aquecem nosso coração e ver que, realmente, a vida não é justa, mas nem menos bonita por isso. O importante é sempre tentarmos tirar o lado bom de tudo e preservar as pessoas que estão sempre ao nosso lado, na alegria e na tristeza.
❤️

#euamolivros #euamoler #livroévida

[Mónica · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a fantastic story. Even though it is sad, it is great to see how during the darkest time in her life Heather kept her spirits up and continued enjoying her life. It definitely gives the reader hope!

[Cari Covelli · Rating 4 out of 5]

I read this book on a plane ride-It's a super quick read and kept me engaged the whole time. Have tissues ready because there are points that are just heartbreaking.

[KWink · Rating 4 out of 5]

Although Heather’s personality is significantly different from mine (I really don’t see myself dancing on a bar, ever), I appreciate her whole-hearted determination to wring as much good out of life as possible. No matter what we’re facing in life, it’s a good philosophy to have and I’m thankful for the reminder.

I also appreciate that her focus was on gratefulness for the people, experiences, life, and love that she had, rather than anger at what she would miss. She spoke thoughtfully and from her heart.

Finally, I appreciated that she brought awareness to the fact that sometimes life doesn’t turn out as hoped. Even when you do everything “right,” life is not formulaic and sometimes cancer metastasizes. Rather than avoid those stories that break our preferred victory narrative, we must make space for them and the people affected. I hadn’t considered the effect of Breast Cancer Awareness on someone dealing with terminal cancer and I was thankful to hear her perspective.

[Christen · Rating 2 out of 5]

I feel bad giving a "low" rating to this book. The author took an optimistic view of her impending death. However, I have read Napkin Notes: Make Lunch Meaningful, Life Will Follow and The Last Lecture. This book seems like it incorporates elements of both, but it doesn't really cover new ground. It's a quick read, and if you haven't read either of the other books, you'll probably give this one a 4 or 5 star rating.

[Lesli Kraft · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a very quick read that draws you in quickly. True story of stage 4 cancer through a mothers life and what she does to help her daughter through life after her death. I think this is a great idea and really took a different look at cancer and the struggles to still live life to the fullest as your final days approach. I truly hope this helps Brianna through life and she realizes how strong of a fighter her mother was literally up to her final day!!

[Michele · Rating 4 out of 5]

What a story of insight and inspiration. Heather McManamy powered through a horrible time while holding her head up and enjoying the most out of life the best she could. Yes, she had those days of self pity but she didn’t let that drag her down. She gave her child memories to come and her husband good memories to share.

I knocked one star off because the narration was a bit over sappy and a little too high pitched at times for my taste and the subject matter.

[Brian Wadman · Rating 4 out of 5]

Some good lessons here... We are all going to die. Being aware of that is very important to living a fulfilling life. Be responsible for leaving the world a better place. Enjoy life! Drink a lot!!!

This was much better in my opinion than the Last Lecture. God bless her daughter if she ever reads these reviews. Your mother has left a blueprint of how to go out in life.

[Lud Oliveira · Rating 4 out of 5]

Não tem como não se comover com a história da autora e com as reflexões que ela propõe. Ela nos lembra que não vivemos para sempre e que cada momento presente importa. Como muitas vezes esquecemos disso, em meio a correrias do dia a dia, um livro desses nos faz repensar nossas atitudes, nossas prioridades.

[Theo Josafá · Rating 5 out of 5]

Esse livro é profundo e triste por já saber o final da autora, que não pôde nem vê-lo publicado. Me fez refletir o quanto eu sei sobre a minha própria mãe, e trás o olhar de quando a vida tem pequenos milagres diários.

Mensagem simples e direta. Aproveite o hoje, porque é tudo que se tem no momento.

[Carol Medeiros · Rating 5 out of 5]

Eu queria saber como ficou Brianna e Jeff.
Mas esse não é o propósito do livro. O propósito é você é entender a jornada de uma pessoa com câncer terminal.

Realmente no fim do livro você está com a lição: viva a vida. Cada minuto dela.

[Jamie · Rating 4 out of 5]

I thoroughly enjoyed this book. Not my typical read, but picked it up to try it. The amount of empathy I felt for Heather...I can't imagine being handed a terminal diagnosis especially being a young mom. It was well written, thoughtful, and sweet. Have the Kleenex handy for this one.

[Andressa Medeiros · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of the books I cried the most. I was sad for many days but the book is beautiful and full of love. It is so inspiring. We have to enjoy each day with the ones we love because we will never know tomorrow.

[Thays Pires · Rating 5 out of 5]

chorei muito ao ler ... que mulher incrível,forte o tempo todo . O que dava a esperança sempre de viver era sua filha,se esposo e família. quanto sofrimento e ela feliz vivendo o máximo que podia viver.🥹😢😢

[Delaine Anderson · Rating 5 out of 5]

powerful message to enjoy everyday from a mom with terminal cancer. it's not painful, it's not self-absorbed. it's almost like reading a fun diary with your best friend. I think everyone should read this ❤️

[Danielle Gomes · Rating 5 out of 5]

Relato emocionante de uma mãe com câncer terminal que prepara um material, um legado para deixar para sua filha. Livro lindo mas só para corações em momentos mais fortes.

[Katia · Rating 5 out of 5]

She is at stage IV breast cancer and talks to us as showing cards she wrote for her 4 y. o., who will grow up without her...
A very special book

[Michelle Tejada · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a good reminder to make the most of the time we have with our family.

[Lisa · Rating 3 out of 5]

Listened to this on audible. It was OK. I felt so bad for her and all she went thru. She was very articulate. A lot of what she said was common understanding.

[Kim · Rating 5 out of 5]

Heartbreakingly Beautiful!

[VICTORIA STEWART · Rating 5 out of 5]

❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️

[Katy Lovejoy · Rating 4 out of 5]

This made me cry

[nicole verdi · Rating 5 out of 5]

Uma linda lição de vida, vindo de alguém que tanto lutou pela sua!
Não me sentiria correta em avaliar de outra forma!

[Jennifer Mckinnon alday · Rating 5 out of 5]

I found this book at a discount store and it just spoke to me as I am a cancer survivor. It gave a wonderful unexpected outlook on life. I would recommend this book.

[Siz Santana · Rating 5 out of 5]

Uma das lições que mais me tocou foi sua forma de mostrar que devemos aproveitar ao máximo a vida, seja chorando, sorrindo, gritando ou se divertindo, o importante é ser feliz. Apesar da frase clichê, essa é uma lição valiosa. Heather McManamy nos abraça com suas mensagens, nos faz sorrir com sua forma de pensar e sua forma muito bem humorada de narrar seus dias. Para depois que eu partir é um livro encantador, que nos apresenta memórias comoventes e pedacinhos de uma mãe guerreira, que também tinha seus medos, que lutou para realizar seus desejos e mesmo depois de sua partida, deixou um tantinho de si para Brianna e seu marido.

Os capítulos breves, nos recordam que a vida é uma passagem. Eles sempre iniciam com uma mensagem para Brianna e segue a linha temática para nos apresentar momentos, lembranças e sentimentos, de como viveu aqueles dias. Além disso, cada capítulo nos faz refletir sobre questões como: Como estou vivendo meus dias? Em que ou em quem estou colocando minhas prioridades?

[Kathy B · Rating 5 out of 5]

Made me laugh and made me cry. ..ALOT. The author lived about 30 minutes from me and died a few months ago from cancer that had spread. she was young with a young husband and daughter and so full of life. I would have liked to be friends with her. Very inspiring and thought provoking.

[Joyce Han · Rating 5 out of 5]

Such a beautiful book written by an equally beautiful person, inside & out. I read this book in one sitting only stopping to wipe my tears/listen to the songs she was referencing. Heather provides so much heartfelt truth, wisdom, and reminds us that #everydaymatters.

[Rebecca · Rating 4 out of 5]

A beautifully written book about living life to the fullest. Unfortunately too many young people die each day to cancer. I am honored to meet and walk along with people like Heather on a daily basis. Definitely a must read.