If There's a Mailbox in Heaven

by Celeste N. Bowers, Valentin Melaine (Illustrator)

"It's not about me. It's about Christ working through me." -Christina Bowers, March 11, 2005 Knowing her God was bigger than any cancer, my ten-year-old daughter, Christina, faced this tremendous obstacle with unwavering faith and a smile in her heart. There was no room for anger, and the question, "Why me?" would never be asked. Instead, this diagnosis was answered with, "Use me. Use me, Lord, for Your Name and Your Glory!" People ask me, "How do you do it? How do you watch your daughter walk through such a storm and then go on after she has passed away?" My answer is quite simple: How could I watch my own daughter carry her cross with such a sweet gentle spirit for Christ and not pick up and carry mine? Every moment of every day was a challenge. The only way to make it through was to lean on our Lord. With her eyes filled with compassion and a heart full of love, Christina marched forward. Yes, in the midst of so much darkness and pain, she let her light shine. "Mom, thank you for bringing me into the world." These were the words Christina said to me in the kindest voice as chemo was being pumped into her body for the first time. The funny thing is she was the one who brought life into my world! Those sweet and penetrating words started the journey, broke down all barriers, and put everything clearly into perspective. Christina's life wasn't the same. It was forever changed and so were all the people who she touched and continued to inspire. In that moment I realized Christina wasn't mine. She truly was His child, and I was given this time with her as a precious life-lesson-filled gift! With Christ, Christina turned a dismal situation into life lessons. With Christ, I go on and weather every storm that comes my way. Through Christ, I find the strength to share Christina's testimony with the world, praying that others will be changed and even saved by the grace of God if they don't know Him. In the end, the clouds will make way for a vibrant rainbow filled with God's promises. In Christ, I write this book, knowing "If There's a Mailbox in Heaven, "I send all that is within me to my beloved daughter. Praise to Jesus Christ who is the reason I still have purpose! I pray my words bless and inspire all who read them. It is all for His Name and His glory.

170 pages, Hardcover

First published February 23, 2012

Reviews

[Keep Calm Novel On · Rating 5 out of 5]

The author via Booktasters provided a copy of the ePub in exchange for an honest review.

Celeste N. Bowers’ memoir If There’s a Mailbox in Heaven is a touching memoir. She shares her journey as her ten-year-old daughter is diagnosed with cancer. She writes letters to her daughter Christina with such honesty and integrity. The reader will experience a tsunami of emotions. Her loss is unimaginable and she provides bereavement tools for parents. The author used her pain as a teachable moment with such unconditional love. An important book on how to survive life’s obstacles.

[Megan Rivera · Rating 5 out of 5]

Dear Christina,
If There’s a Mailbox in Heaven There are so many of us who miss you here on this earth, but we are also joyful that you are at peace in heaven serving at the feet of Jesus. Though time in heaven is different than here on earth, the legacy you have left in the lives of your classmates and others that you never even knew is blazing forward! Many lives have been touched by the story of your joys, passions, and struggles here during your short time with us in this world. Thank you for the motivation that you have provided for each of us to live our lives for the glory of God! Your “Game of Life” lives on! Touch-em-all—you hit one out of the park! Greg Steinhaus Maranatha Christian Academy Principal. This was a great fast paced story and I feel connected to this book on a personal level. I enjoyed reading this book.

[Maven Reads · Rating 5 out of 5]

The loss of a child is one of the most devastating experiences a parent can face, capable of shaking the strongest faith. If There’s a Mailbox in Heaven by Celeste Bowers are letters dedicated to her daughter that share the author’s personal experience of losing her beloved daughter. It shows us the impact her daughter’s life had on people and how she leaned on God through her grief.

This book shows the power of love, faith, and the mark left by a young life that touched so many hearts. Christina was a bright and vibrant soul. Her kindness and joy touched everyone she was around. At ten, Christina was diagnosed with cancer. This marked a turning point in her life and that of her family. Her story celebrates her life and shows the effect one person can have on the world. The author shares her thoughts, feelings, and experiences.

This is a beautiful and emotional book. It moved me to tears several times. It is special, and the writing is honest and filled with love and longing. We share in Celeste’s grief and Christina's memories. The letters to her daughter make the book feel intimate. It feels like we are reading a private message. I love how Celeste wove in pictures, scriptures, and poems throughout the book. It adds a personal and emotional touch, making the story feel even more intimate than it already does. It is a beautiful way to honor her daughter's memory.

Celeste says that they would never ask God, “Why me?” but “Use me.” These words show her trust in God and their determination to find purpose and meaning in their pain. We see Celeste and her family at their most broken, and even in the midst of the storm in their lives, they refuse to give up. Instead, they leaned on their faith, trusting that God has a plan. She shows us that Christina’s life is an opportunity for God to work through them and touch the lives of others. Her story tells us that our pain is not meaningless but an opportunity for growth and transformation. This book isn’t about Christina’s struggle with cancer but about the lives she touched and inspired and the legacy she left behind. We see friends, family members, and even strangers whose lives were changed by Christina.

This is a book that will make you cry, smile, and reflect on your faith. It gives strength to individuals in the same position. I rate this book 5 out of 5 stars. I recommend it to people dealing with grief and needing inspiration.

[J.A.C Workplace · Rating 5 out of 5]

In the journey of life, we have many experiences; we experience happiness, sadness, greatness, and loss, to mention a few. Life is full of ups and downs, and how we choose to react when things don't go according to our plans has a huge impact on how we are able to move forward and continue living our lives. Moreover, it can even affect the quality of the rest of our lives- and, in some cases, our lifespan.

'If There's a Mailbox in Heaven' by Celeste N. Bowers centers on a terrible loss suffered by the Bowers family. Celeste recounts the journey that led to the loss and how the family chose to walk that path. Their display of strength, courage and resilience is so powerful that it touched the lives of those who heard about it, and finally, Celeste chose to share the story-the strength her little girl displayed to the world so that it can reach more people and touch more lives.

I was touched by Christina's display of strength and her understanding and love of God. In her own way and through her actions and words, she shared the gospel in a way that had a heavy impact on those who heard her story. Additionally, I loved Teddy's understanding of the situation. He was still a little boy, but he stayed strong for his parents and his sister. He tried, in his own little way, to put a smile on Christina's face, which hopefully eased her pain, even if only for a little bit.

I rate this book 5 out of 5 stars. The language used was simple and easy to understand. I found no errors, which shows that this book was exceptionally well-edited. I disliked nothing in this book. This book's chapters are made to fit the title of the book and I found this refreshing. From the title of this book, one can tell that this is a cherished wish of the author, and it gives readers the idea of a way to pour out their innermost thoughts, to lighten the weight of all their wishes. It gives readers comfort that their loved ones can experience life- just in another way.

I recommend this book to anyone above 14 years. Those going through a rough patch will also enjoy this book because through this book, they might get the clarity, strength, and push to keep going. Remember, it is not about you, but about Christ working through you.

[Yara · Rating 5 out of 5]

Grab a box of Kleenex before you start to read!

Christina left this world at age 10 but showed wisdom and heart beyond her years during her treatment for cancer. She asked God to use her for His glory instead of “Why me?” – This book isn’t about cancer, or even about Christina – it is about God to work through our lives to bring others closer to Him. Trusting God means that we tell ourselves to move forward on the path He puts us on even when it hurts. Trusting Him means we do not question His decree, even as the tears stream down our faces. Trusting Him means we have faith that He will bring us through this and place us exactly on the path that we are meant to be on, and that we will eventually understand why this was for the best.

The author has written this book in a series of “letters” that she wishes she could deliver to Christina in Heaven! She uses these letters to tell her daughter how much she was a blessing on Earth and how much her family loves her. The letters don’t take us through a sad battle with cancer but rather depict a special child and her relationship with her family.

It is such an uplifting story and beautifully written by a loving mother who desires to spread God’s message of love - There is so much inspiration in “If There’s a Mailbox in Heaven” that you’re going to feel blessed and changed after you have finished it.

[Debbie Viscosi · Rating 5 out of 5]

Celeste Bowers’ book “If There’s a Mailbox in Heaven” is the deeply moving story of her 10 year old daughter Christina. Celeste writes about the impact her daughter has made in the world in the 10 short years of her life. Christina was a wonderful 10 year old whose life ended tragically from cancer. This is far from being a sob story asking “why”. This story is about the faith and witnessing of Christ’s love in spite of the challenges of cancer.

This first half of the book is Celeste reminiscing about the many wonderful experiences their family shared with Christina. The second half of the book is filled with loving letters from friends, teammates, and family. This young lady touched so many people and I am so glad her mother wrote this book to share with us.

I am deeply touched by this loving book/letter to Christina. Everyone should stop and take the time to read this. It will fill you with hope and love. As Christina said, “It’s not about me. It’s about Christ working through me.”

[Kim · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thanks to a mother’s love for her child, that died way too young from cancer, her child’s dreams of becoming a teacher or doctor are still being fulfilled because her stories in this book. For such a short time on this planet, Christina touched the lives of so many, and through the ripple effect, those people will touch the lives of others who never met her before. I was given this book in return for an honest review for Booktasters. It came at a very good time, because I had begun counseling with a student who had lost her mom and was having difficulty coping with the loss, which occurred two years ago. I showed her the dedication page, and told her the importance of putting her feelings onto paper. I gave her a journal, in hopes that she will find some peace by remembering the happier memories that she shared with her mother. So, I thank this author for her words, and I thank God for the timing that placed the book in my hand at just the right time.

[Angi · Rating 3 out of 5]

I got the book via Booktasters in exchange for an honest review.

First of all, I have to say, that I am deeply sorry that Christina died that young. Kids shouldn’t die young. Maddest respect for Ms Bowers for bringing these memories onto the paper after experience it! Not everyone could do it. The book is parted into serval letters, including every detail of a mother’s love and how this illness affected the lives of so many people, not only the family. It was really touching, especially the letters from other people such as friends, teachers or even people who never met Christina. The more letters I read, the more I felt sorry but also find that Christina is still touching people in her own way, through her mother and, as the author says, through Christ.
I just felt a little bugged (and that’s why it took me so long to finish this book) by the constant mention of God. I was raised with the Christian faith as well, but… if God loved children, he wouldn’t give them something like cancer, would he?
But what I took from the book is that we should cherish every single moment that we get with our loved ones. All in all, it is a very well written book.

[Rebecca Hill · Rating 4 out of 5]

I am going to be honest about being torn on this one. I read through the book, and it was filled with personal and uplifting memories of Christina, the young girl who passed way to soon from cancer. This young lady sounds like a fabulous person, and someone who was taken way before her time.

This was a hard one for me to get through, as it was very personal, almost something that is more therapeutic for the author to write, but it has me oddly conflicted. Much of this seemed so personal, things that I would not want to share with the entire world.

I applaud her for writing the book - it was just an uncomfortable read in a lot of different ways.

[Amber · Rating 4 out of 5]

This one is soo good. Touching and sweet and soo many other emotions. While reading this one I did not have a dry eye, I'll admit I cried like a baby reading this. As a mom I can completely understand and feel the pain and emotions written into these letters. The mothers love for Christina and even though she was on the Earth for a short while you can tell by the letters she left ripples effecting many. I really loved the emotions and everything involved with this book! Very good and it helps many understand the grief with losing a child.

[Arsama Aymen · Rating 3 out of 5]

"If There's A Mailbox In Heaven" is a moving memoir written by Celeste N. Bower. Her daughter Christina passed away battling cancer at a very young age. The essence of the book is hope and trust in God's plan while enduring such an irreparable loss. You'll fall in love with Christina and be amazed how she touched the hearts of so many people even after demise. This book hits you right in the feels. A good read!

[Summer Hong · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is really a book full of love and blessings. It’s amazing to know how many people have been touched by Christina. She was so strong, selfless, loving, and compassionate, unbelievably at such a young age. And it is really touching to see so many warm and caring people showed their support and love. I'm so inspired and sure that there'll be more people inspired by Christina, her family and friends' faith in God, in life.

[Debbie · Rating 5 out of 5]

A beautiful ,inspiring to tribute to God and her precious daughter, Christina. I laughed,cried and loved with them. Mostly, this book gave me pause and reinforced for me that God is in charge of us all and their is always a purpose for everything. I highly recommend this book.

[Sapna · Rating 2 out of 5]

Overall- 2
First Four chapters/Packages- 2.5/5
Last Chapter/Package- 4/5
Content- Good
Literary Quality - Poor
Notable points- Spiritual Book in the sense too much reliance on god

This Book collects letters from a mother to her late daughter Christina. It is divided into 5 packages. One gets to know about Christina through the memories reflected in the letters- The pope, softball, her cancer struggle, her strength, Christina Bowers award, harp, her friend circle so many things.
The first four chapters contain letters from her mother to Christina exclusively, no matter was written with great love from a mother to daughter, they definitely lack literary quality, and pick repetitive tone over and over again. The last chapter contains 40+ letters from her well-wishers and these letters bring some fresh breath to the book.

The famous quote from the book is although good- ' It's not about me, but the christ working through me.'

'I liked the lady who gave her haircut thought.'