An Important Day

by John J. Siefring

What would you do if you were told you have a progressive neurological disease? James Delaney has just been given this diagnosis. He is deeply concerned about the impact on his family, especially his six year old grandson, Charles. Telling no one of the disturbing news, he heads off on a solo camping trip, hoping to face this dilemma with courage and reason. In the process, he reviews his life and relationships. He has some agonizing decisions to make.

Martha, his wife, answers a knock on the door to be told James has suffered a serious accident during his sojourn. She discovers, quite by chance, the secret of her husband’s diagnosis. The shattering news pounds away at the very core of the family.

The Delaneys struggle for balance and meaning as they journey bravely, and with humor, through the difficult days ahead. They learn, together, to create a new future. United, they find a way to move forward with hope, optimism, and dignity. You will not forget them or their tender and inspirational story.

Genres: Fiction, Family

310 pages, Kindle Edition

Published April 23, 2016

About the author

John J. Siefring is the author of the novels CALEB'S WINDOW and AN IMPORTANT DAY. A collection of short stories entitled THE PARTICULARS is in progress. His work has appeared in the literary journals Gravel and The Ravens Perch. He lives on Long Island.

Born in Brooklyn, New York and raised in the Bronx, John has worn a number of career hats, including Wall Street, NYC cab driver, college professor, and clinical psychologist, receiving his doctoral degree from Fordham University. He has been in private clinical practice, specializing in the area of neuropsychology, and held positions on the adjunct faculty of Stony Brook University, Pace University, and Long Island University.

Reviews

[Sharon Huether · Rating 5 out of 5]

An exceptional story of how important a day is in our lives.
A day remembered, because it can never be repeated.
The times we can hold memories close to our hearts.
This is a book for everyone. It reminds us of what could easily be forgotten; the remembering will make us stronger individuals.
I want to thank the author for sending me this book for my honest review.

[♏ Gina☽ · Rating 5 out of 5]

I will start off by saying although this is a work of fiction, it reads like an amazing work of nonfiction. This story will grab you from the first page to the last, and you will find that you must remind yourself that this isn't a true story - it's written that well.

The author happens to be a neuropsychologist, an area which has always fascinated me. The brain is a miracle, and we have yet to understand how it does what it does. However, we do know that when something goes wrong with this miraculous organ, the results can be, and often are, catastrophic.

Such is the case with the main character of this book, a much loved patriarch of his extended family. Upon receiving devastating medical news, he goes off on a camping trip to try to come to terms with his now uncertain future. What happens on that trip will have long-term rippling effects - not only for him, but for his loved ones.

[Danielle Zaydon · Rating 4 out of 5]

Let me just start off by saying that this book completely ripped my heart out. I don’t typically cry in books, but this one made me bawl. I had to keep setting the book down just to collect myself before continuing on with the story. I literally was crying in the very first chapter, which has absolutely never happened to me ever. The fact that a book could have such an emotional impact so quickly definitely says something about how well-written this book was.

I immediately formed a connection with the main character, James. It felt like he could have been my own grandfather. This was the same with every character in this book. I connected with each and every character at an emotional level. I felt like I was a part of their family. This book is deeply centered on the family dynamic and their relationships with one another. It was written so beautifully.

If there was anything to take from this story, it would be to never take for granted the family you have. They will always be your biggest supporters.

If you love a book that can make you cry, or books centered around family, I highly suggest you pick this one up. An Important Day is an emotional roller coaster ride. It will have you crying one minute and the next laughing out loud. It truly is a fantastic story that makes you feel as if you are one of the family. I gave this book a rating of 4 out of 5 stars.

Thank you to John Siefring for providing a copy of this book in return for an honest review.

[Kathy · Rating 4 out of 5]

As a person with Parkinson's, I cannot begin to tell you how spot on this book is. John Siefring captures the emotions of both the Parkinson's patient and the family who doesn't know his diagnosis, but mourns his death perfectly! I don't want to divulge any spoilers, but I can honestly say I understand where James Delaney (the main character) is coming from. All any of us want is to preserve our dignity, especially in the eyes of those we love. Parkinson's is a cruel disease that doesn't allow that to happen in many cases.

A poignant, heartbreaking yet spirit-lifting book of the love we hold for family, and the love they hold for us. Note: if you are not able to face hard truths, this book may not be for you. But if you are a person of strength, courage and/or empathy, you will find this emotional book to be well, well worth your time!! Highly recommended!

Many thanks to the author for sending me a copy of his book to read in return for an honest review. You, sir, are a gentleman, and an obviously talented man!!

[Michael McLellan · Rating 4 out of 5]

It was apparent right away that the subject matter of this novel is close to the author's heart. After watching my mother's ten year battle with Alzheimer's disease, stories like this one have held extra significance for me. As a reader, I would have liked to see a little more character development.

[Debie Orrell · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great amazing book making each one of us realize how important one day can make to not only ourselves but also for those we love. While I understand the decisions, I can’t say I agree but would want to travel this hard journey with them.

The writing was a little too detailed, and seemed like he was just adding description to make the book longer. The story plot was very good and kept me reading.

[C · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you GoodReads Giveaways and the Author John J. Siefring for this fantastic read.

When I saw the first sentence in the description of this book I entered this giveaway right away because in May of 2014 I was told I have a progressive neurological disease. It was not Parkinson's but MS. The Author really writes well in that he gave the character those different emotions that run through your head (as did mine) when you receive news like that. I felt for this man and his family. I love how this book is written and how it had that shocking twist I didn't see coming. The other characters were so relatable and they pulled you in like you were right there. I laughed, I cried. You must read this book but make sure you have a full box of tissues. I would read more by this Author for sure. I'm blown away by this book. It makes you think about how any day can be the last and how you should value everyday. This book is in stores grab a copy. You won't be disappointed.

Thanks again very well done.

Cherie'

[Patrycja · Rating 4 out of 5]

I have won this book through GoodReads Giveaway.

This is beautiful, but sad novel. It explores the grieve, the trust, friendship and importance of the family. It shows also the relationship between siblings, and parents and grandparents.
The novel also brings a hope.

The story is really touching and realistic. It is so well executed by the author.
It tells us "...how important a moment, day, can be." We should cherish every moment. Tell our love ones, that we love and appreciate them. Tell them often, because we never know when it will be too late. “Let us hurry to love people they depart so quickly” - Jan Twardowski . *** Synopsis:

James Delaney, a husband, father and grandfather, is being diagnosed with Parkinson's disease. He decided to think it over and doesn't want to share this news with his wife yet. He goes on his annual, solo trip to mountains.

His wife, Martha, gets the news from the officer, that James suffered a serious accident.

The family has to go trough difficult time, but they have each other. **** ( I loved this quote from the novel:
(P.31)."...we should never stop to pretend. Pretending can lead to wishing. Wishing then leads to hoping. Hoping then moves to dreaming. Dreaming then can lead to planning. If we are lucky, some plans come true".

[Linda · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book had a good story line about how something that happens to one person affects so many more people for a long time to come. The author was very insightful as to what people go through when faced with a tragedy and how they cope. The characters in the book struggled with their dilemmas but ultimately were able to overcome them by relying on those they love and getting help when necessary. This book was a quick and enjoyable read.

[Beth · Rating 5 out of 5]

A tender story of how the love of a family can affect reactions to adversity.

[Chanelle Gruca · Rating 4 out of 5]

I received an e-book copy of this in a Goodreads giveaway!

This is such a tragic, and yet fantastic book. I had to double check multiple times that it was fiction, because it felt more like a non-fiction story.

Bringing tears to my eyes every other chapter, it took me awhile to read. Expertly written, as you follow this family, it feels as if you are physically there reliving these memories and part of the family yourself.

4 stars, because I wish the ending wasn't rushed. I felt as if one thing was happening and then you're blindsided by a time jump. But, over all one of the best books I've ever read (and cried about).

[Eileen Sateriale · Rating 4 out of 5]

I received this Kindle edition in a Goodreads giveaway.

This book is a story of a family and the death of the family patriarch. He is a much-loved family man with a loving wife, two devoted children and two grandchildren, one who clearly adores him. He is diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease and does not tell any of his family members.

The story tells how the various family members deal with his passing. The story also underscores the fact that extended family can be a blessing for children. It is a heartwarming story and a quick read.

[Frosty61 · Rating 3 out of 5]

I received this book through a Goodreads giveaway and really wanted to love it. It's thoughtful and sad with a heartfelt message about the importance of every day, the love of family, and the healing that forgiveness and understanding can bring. However, I found it almost boring as the author carefully explored all the feelings and thoughts of each character as they looked back on their lives with their father/husband/friend.

[Karigan · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is beautiful and will absolutely destroy you. It will immediately pull you into the mind of Jim Delaney and effortlessly explore the inner workings of his and his family’s thoughts as they all learn how to deal with tragedy. Not only that, but the author takes you along on the ride of experiencing the turmoil this family goes through.

[Kathy Webb · Rating 4 out of 5]

I won this Kindle edition book in a GoodReads giveaway - thank you to everyone involved.
This is a very emotional heartfelt story - It reminds us how precious life is to us. We should
all cherish our memories and the good in our life.

[Shayla Drumm · Rating 4 out of 5]

I received this book through a Goodreads giveaway and am thankful for the opportunity. I personally thought the book started out a little stiff. I felt more like I was reading instructional material but then I began to get pulled into the storyline about a third of the way in. I liked the characters and thought they were fairly relatable, however a little too perfect for real life.
Having never known anyone with Parkinson's the experiences of the family were eye-opening. I cried multiple times throughout the book and my heart goes out to those who have been touched by this terrible disease. I learned a lot from reading this book and was entertained as well. I would recommend this book to others but be prepared with some tissues!

[Nancy Baker · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book spoke volumes to me and yet there were times I didn't want to pick it back up. The story revolves around a man named Jim, who has just been told he has Parkinson's Disease. He is all too well aware of the road that lies ahead for him -- but even more, what lies ahead for his family. It was an emotional story that at times made me remove myself from my Kindle App to take a few days reprieve from Jim and his diagnosis.

Let me just say that my own husband's name is Jim; he is 73 years old; we've been married for over 46 years, share 2 kids and 6 grandchildren together. Nearly 18 months ago he was diagnosed with cancer. He survived treatment and is now cancer free, but the radiation and chemo have escalated his dementia to a level in which he no longer knows me. I am a girlfriend who shares his home, and his wife has run away. It is sad but that is the reality in which I live.

This fictitious story of Jim resonated a bit too close to my heart and yet was filed with beautiful words of wisdom. Among my favorites were:

Happiness is a choice that requires effort at times;

You can't talk yourself out of something you talked yourself into. You must DO something. You MUST take action - not just say words;

Never wrestle with pigs. You just get dirty and the pigs like it;

Grief is the price we pay for love;

Grandfathers are important in this world. They play an important role - but not just as grandfather to their grandchildren. You see, they also have an influence on us fathers. My father and grandfather were important in shaping my wish to be a father; and

How important a moment, a day can be. We never know how lasting our comments can be.

I won't go into the entire written story, but suffice it to say, the story is one of a beautiful man who had a widespread influence on many people because of his actions, his words and his heart.

In my own life I realize now how quickly things can change, how we are never insured the life we envisioned or thought we were building - which is why the author's words that "happiness is a choice that requires effort at times" is now my life every day, every moment. The older I get, the more I realize that my life will eventually be a footprint for those who matter in my life to follow. It is important that we choose our steps wisely. It is important to leave a deep enough imprint that it will be difficult to erode away with time and weather. It is important to live -- not just go through the motions, but LIVE. Will I eventually forget the author's story of his Jim? - most likely it will get lost in the multitude of books I read each year. But what I HOPE I don't forget, is the knowledge that every day we live is "an important day".

Thank you Goodreads for an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review. While the price of the book to me was nothing - its effect on me was priceless.

[Kimberly · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thought provoking

I received this book through a Goodreads Giveaway. It is the tale of a family navigating the highs and lows that time presents to all of us. As we age and face illness, memories of those we lovingly remember, help sustain us. Lovely and real, this novel is for everone.

[Mary · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great book

[Jeffrey Hatcher · Rating 2 out of 5]

The book is heartfelt and caring. Each character is sensitively portrayed.

Unfortunately, they are sensitively portrayed over and over again. Every paragraph is loaded down with context. That sort of style is fine for the first 25% of the book, however, there comes a point at which one must give the characters freedom to express themselves on their own and in dialogue. The reader will accurately extrapolate their state of mind from actions and speech to a much greater extent than the author supposes. The characters are narrated to death.

I care deeply about mental illnesses - I have one myself. However, I could not ultimately finish the book as the narration crossed the line from sensitive to stifling. Most large paragraphs could be slimmed by 15% without weakening anything that the author wished to convey. The viscosity just became too much for me to handle.

I hope that most reviewers do not share my perspective. For those who might, take the book no more than two chapters at a time and contemplate Siefring's wisdom in small doses. His manner is kind, and he tackles a difficult topic.

[Suzanne · Rating 4 out of 5]

A book that makes a big impact in a quiet way. A very heartfelt, thought-provoking story of a man facing his final days after receiving a dire prognosis of a fatal disease. Not wanting to subject his family to his deterioration, he keeps the news to himself.

The story poignantly shows the importance of one day in our lives.

I received this book as a Goodreads Giveaway, and am thankful, as always, to read and review such books.

[Phenex Alarius · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is such a touching story. Completely different to my usual genre, yet genuinely intriguing. This is a book that concerns every one of us because we have all, or we all will, deal with this sort of situation.

[Claire · Rating 2 out of 5]

I received An Important Day as part of a Goodreads giveaway.

James, a man in his early sixties, lives a contented life with his wife Martha and their two grown children, Meghan and Adam. James is particularly close to Charles, Meghan's six year old son. James' world is rocked, however, when he is diagnosed with early stage Parkinson's, and worries how it will affect his family. Shortly thereafter, James dies suddenly in a fall, and his family--only then learning of the diagnosis--must learn to cope with James' loss and the pain that preceded it.

This book was interesting, but the narrative style put me off somewhat. It seemed a bit stilted and reserved, which prevented me from really engaging with the characters. The insights are really interesting, and I really enjoyed Martha in particular. I felt like Siefring had a good grasp on the mental and physical ravages of Parkinson's, but the delivery threw me somewhat.

[Gene Ligotti · Rating 5 out of 5]

An Important Day by John Siefring, is a well written poignant novel which speaks of love and sacrifice. So many novels are filled with men who say they would do anything for the love of their life and their family, but how many men would actually live and die by those words? This amazing story answers that question. It was an enjoyable read.
Gene Ligotti

[Nancie Lafferty · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 All around perfect responses to bad news, with everything coming out perfectly in the end, which only happens in books. A reminder to myself that I still don’t have my “Death Stuff” in order. I can only hope I have shown my love enough to the important people in my life.
“If love could have saved you, you would have lived forever.”

[Elizabeth · Rating 5 out of 5]

liked the plot (a little "twist" at the end) and characters

[Janet · Rating 4 out of 5]

The feelings and memories one have with our families. A day spent together that can last a lifetime. Interesting story.

[Deb Ristow · Rating 1 out of 5]

I received this book as part of the Goodreads Giveaway program. This is the story of James, who has been diagnosed with a debilitating disease. However, he does not share this news with his family in the hopes of sparing them from the upcoming heartbreak. Shortly after his diagnosis, he is found dead after apparently falling from a cliff on a camping trip. An Important Day is the story of his family dealing with his death and their feelings when they discover the news of his diagnosis.

I wanted to like this book. I think the storyline could have been amazing however, I never connected with the characters or the writing style. Siefring had a lot of character background which is important however many times, the voice and conversations of the characters was lost which made it difficult for me to connect with the characters. Conversations were often difficult to follow and used sentence structure that just didn’t always seem realistic. The one thing that I did appreciate is the way Siefring titled the book and brought that forth in the characters stories. Great plot potential but for me, the character development just fell flat.

[John · Rating 5 out of 5]

My thanks to the publisher for allowing me to purchase (absolutely no discount mind you) an ARC, in exchange for an honest review. I recuse myself from additional commentary on the grounds I'm not confident I'll be able to resist hyperbole regarding this wondrously formidable debut novel. (See what I mean? ... just can't do it.)

[Kristin · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book touched my heart and soul. Anyone that has a family can relate to every aspect of this book. The love for your parents, the love for your children, and grandparents. It shows the circle of life in a very heart warming way. I highly recommend!!