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Belle: A Mildred Budge Friendship Story
From the author of the popular Mildred Budge church lady books comes a brand-new spin-off series featuring the friends of Mildred Budge and how they see the same world Miss Budge inhabits—and her, too.
In, Belle, the first book in the new series, friends of Mildred Budge see life in Cloverdale through the eyes of Belle Deerborn.
Belle Deerborn lives next door to Mildred Budge. The Deerborn house is across and open field, and Belle sits out on her back stoop each morning reading her Bible and also watching Mildred live and the people who come and go. Others see Belle as living a confined and desperate life, but that's not true at all. Belle is becoming a great problem solver, is learning to manage herself more thoughtfully, and has a creative side that she is cultivating with her sewing projects.
Contrary to the reputation of caregiving, Belle Deerborn is anything but trapped, depressed, or hopeless. She has been surprised by the many evidences of God's very real help in time of trouble, and that very real help often comes from good neighbors.
One of those people is Mildred Budge, but she's not the only answer to Belle's prayers in this tender story about a long-time marriage and how it is coming to fulfilment and also, in a way, winding down. If you are a friend of Mildred Budge you will enjoy the company of Belle: A Mildred Budge Friendship Story.
And if you are the aging wife or husband of a spouse with a chronic physical problem Belle’s story will remind you that you are not as alone as the circumstances around you appear to suggest. To find out more about how Belle is living out her season as a caregiver, check out this new addition to the Mildred Budge stories.
In, Belle, the first book in the new series, friends of Mildred Budge see life in Cloverdale through the eyes of Belle Deerborn.
Belle Deerborn lives next door to Mildred Budge. The Deerborn house is across and open field, and Belle sits out on her back stoop each morning reading her Bible and also watching Mildred live and the people who come and go. Others see Belle as living a confined and desperate life, but that's not true at all. Belle is becoming a great problem solver, is learning to manage herself more thoughtfully, and has a creative side that she is cultivating with her sewing projects.
Contrary to the reputation of caregiving, Belle Deerborn is anything but trapped, depressed, or hopeless. She has been surprised by the many evidences of God's very real help in time of trouble, and that very real help often comes from good neighbors.
One of those people is Mildred Budge, but she's not the only answer to Belle's prayers in this tender story about a long-time marriage and how it is coming to fulfilment and also, in a way, winding down. If you are a friend of Mildred Budge you will enjoy the company of Belle: A Mildred Budge Friendship Story.
And if you are the aging wife or husband of a spouse with a chronic physical problem Belle’s story will remind you that you are not as alone as the circumstances around you appear to suggest. To find out more about how Belle is living out her season as a caregiver, check out this new addition to the Mildred Budge stories.
- GenresChristianContemporary
171 pages, Kindle Edition
Published November 16, 2021
163 people are currently reading
64 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 16 of 16 reviews
February 5, 2025
Gentle and pensive, BELLE, is a story for quiet, contemplative hours.
Belle and Sam are next door neighbors of Mildred Budge. They’re friends from church and have known each other for years. Author, Daphne Simpkins, has a series about Mildred, her church, friends and community and this story features her neighbors that are experiencing a later in life transition.
Sam has dementia. Belle is trying to navigate life’s daily tasks - her own and those previously handled by Sam. Asking for help is not easy. Taking a shower is nearly impossible. Being a caregiver for Sam is a full time job. Getting to church, the grocery store and bank are beyond impossible. Her friends try to step in and help but it’s more stressful than help.
This long married couple is trying to find a “new normal” when there isn’t one in a vortex of constant change. Normal events become escapades for Belle - heating soup, taking a shower, going on an errand in the car and so forth, especially when adding Sam to the mix. Things are lost, left on, run into, rung at the wrong time creating a few laughs but also financial difficulties, potential harm and fear for the future.
Simpkins explores the inner turmoil experienced by caregivers. Based on my own experience, I’m guessing she has also walked this path. There are brief moments of lightheartedness but my overall impression was somber, serious, occasionally sad but knowing the couple was firmly rooted in their faith, there was also knowing that the promise of a glorious day was indeed coming📚
Belle and Sam are next door neighbors of Mildred Budge. They’re friends from church and have known each other for years. Author, Daphne Simpkins, has a series about Mildred, her church, friends and community and this story features her neighbors that are experiencing a later in life transition.
Sam has dementia. Belle is trying to navigate life’s daily tasks - her own and those previously handled by Sam. Asking for help is not easy. Taking a shower is nearly impossible. Being a caregiver for Sam is a full time job. Getting to church, the grocery store and bank are beyond impossible. Her friends try to step in and help but it’s more stressful than help.
This long married couple is trying to find a “new normal” when there isn’t one in a vortex of constant change. Normal events become escapades for Belle - heating soup, taking a shower, going on an errand in the car and so forth, especially when adding Sam to the mix. Things are lost, left on, run into, rung at the wrong time creating a few laughs but also financial difficulties, potential harm and fear for the future.
Simpkins explores the inner turmoil experienced by caregivers. Based on my own experience, I’m guessing she has also walked this path. There are brief moments of lightheartedness but my overall impression was somber, serious, occasionally sad but knowing the couple was firmly rooted in their faith, there was also knowing that the promise of a glorious day was indeed coming📚
March 2, 2022
This selection in the Mildred Budge collection is more hard-hitting and depressing than the others due to the fact that Belle is the caregiver for her husband who has dementia. Though the description focuses on the saving graces of the situation--and yes, there are those--it didn't quite read that way for me. It felt heavy with the burden, sorrow and worry of Belle. There were moments I thought she was losing her reasoning and grip on reality. Unfortunately there was not enough hope portrayed for me to walk away feeling uplifted as I have with other Mildred Budge books.
3.5 stars
3.5 stars
July 22, 2022
I love this series of books and wish there were more of them. They are inspiring, poignant, and fun. Each details part of life among a group of senior women who attend the same church and are friends. The author reveals their deepest thoughts and feelings as they interact in a seemingly very normal way.
January 21, 2022
I totally loved this wonderful book. Now I can add Belle to my list of favorite characters in Daphne Simpkins' novels. In my mind's eye I can just see each location. She develops her characters so well and I love,
and feel like I understand them. I await her next book eagerly.
and feel like I understand them. I await her next book eagerly.
November 30, 2024
Raw and real
Anyone who is a caregiver or knows someone who is, especially those living with a dementia patient, should read this book. The emotions and thoughts are raw, unrefined. They express the real struggles of loving someone with this disease, of learning to figure out who you are as you lose yourself to the work of loving them. It is a reminder that there are understanding friends. It shows a path for finding peace in snatches of time and space. It reminds us to be still before God.
The writing style is casual and most of the story is an internal flow of thoughts. Definitely worth the time to read.
Anyone who is a caregiver or knows someone who is, especially those living with a dementia patient, should read this book. The emotions and thoughts are raw, unrefined. They express the real struggles of loving someone with this disease, of learning to figure out who you are as you lose yourself to the work of loving them. It is a reminder that there are understanding friends. It shows a path for finding peace in snatches of time and space. It reminds us to be still before God.
The writing style is casual and most of the story is an internal flow of thoughts. Definitely worth the time to read.
December 7, 2024
Spoke to my solitude
This book preached Sunday to my soul, as a widow of four years following a caregiver's journey with a husband with dementia. I've reached Belle's place of a quiet and peaceful acceptance and was very open to receiving the author's message of clarification for the life I now live. Belle has friends that I don't have, but a husband very much like mine of 47 years. My alone (but not necessarily lonely) life is clearer to me now that this author has shared her similar experiences in such a powerful way. I could easily sit with her and share a connection without ever having to use words to do so.
This book preached Sunday to my soul, as a widow of four years following a caregiver's journey with a husband with dementia. I've reached Belle's place of a quiet and peaceful acceptance and was very open to receiving the author's message of clarification for the life I now live. Belle has friends that I don't have, but a husband very much like mine of 47 years. My alone (but not necessarily lonely) life is clearer to me now that this author has shared her similar experiences in such a powerful way. I could easily sit with her and share a connection without ever having to use words to do so.
June 27, 2024
BELLE
My heart hurts for dementia patients and their caregivers everywhere. This book makes their plight all the more vivid to me. And for all sick and their caregivers. Belle in this story does have a helper. She has peace from God through the Holy Spirit. She has discovered this through her early morning talks with God when she has a little time to herself. Plus she has a wonderful neighbor named Mildred Budge who makes life a bit easier her and her husband Sam. May we pray for caregivers everywhere.
My heart hurts for dementia patients and their caregivers everywhere. This book makes their plight all the more vivid to me. And for all sick and their caregivers. Belle in this story does have a helper. She has peace from God through the Holy Spirit. She has discovered this through her early morning talks with God when she has a little time to herself. Plus she has a wonderful neighbor named Mildred Budge who makes life a bit easier her and her husband Sam. May we pray for caregivers everywhere.
August 21, 2025
A Pleasant Short Story
The main characters in this story are three senior women who are members of a church congregation in a southern town, with a lot of history -- both the women and the town. These senior women are the true definition of friends, and we catch a glimpse of just how close they are when one struggles with her new lot in life as caregiver for her loving husband, suffering with dementia.
This spiritually uplifting story showed how faith, friends, and a positive attitude can brighten gloomy days.
The main characters in this story are three senior women who are members of a church congregation in a southern town, with a lot of history -- both the women and the town. These senior women are the true definition of friends, and we catch a glimpse of just how close they are when one struggles with her new lot in life as caregiver for her loving husband, suffering with dementia.
This spiritually uplifting story showed how faith, friends, and a positive attitude can brighten gloomy days.
February 21, 2025
Incredible, sensitive story of God's presence amidst the family dealing with dementia
What a blessing to read the story of the difficulties and heartache of aging. Having both my father and mother die of Alzheimers I can relate so much. I am just so glad God is good and there all the time!
What a blessing to read the story of the difficulties and heartache of aging. Having both my father and mother die of Alzheimers I can relate so much. I am just so glad God is good and there all the time!
October 5, 2024
A Great Book
The characters were fun and so interesting. This was a good book about the elderly and how life goes as you age. The best was the religious reference used throughout the book. I enjoyed this book from start to finish.
The characters were fun and so interesting. This was a good book about the elderly and how life goes as you age. The best was the religious reference used throughout the book. I enjoyed this book from start to finish.
December 10, 2021
As always, the Lord uses Daphne to lighten my heart, and gives me something to think about in a new perspective. When you have family with dementia, it is just a nice reminder that others care.
August 10, 2023
Belle
Nice to catch up with old friends again, and get their stories, told from their points of view. Nice to get Belle and Sam’s story
Nice to catch up with old friends again, and get their stories, told from their points of view. Nice to get Belle and Sam’s story
April 10, 2024
The book teach us how to live our life through God in everything that come our way.
May 2, 2024
Love these books!
December 10, 2024
Great story
Loved to hear Belle tell her story…sad…happy…funny…it was just so lovely…she finds joy and humour in her hubby’s dementia…and is comforted by her church family.
Loved to hear Belle tell her story…sad…happy…funny…it was just so lovely…she finds joy and humour in her hubby’s dementia…and is comforted by her church family.
August 25, 2024
Whispersynced on Kindle /Audible (Included). VV narration.
Belle is the wife/caregiver of Sam. Sam has dementia. They live across a field/backyard from Mildred Budge. The story gives an excellent feel for the life of a caregiver.
Belle is the wife/caregiver of Sam. Sam has dementia. They live across a field/backyard from Mildred Budge. The story gives an excellent feel for the life of a caregiver.
Displaying 1 - 16 of 16 reviews