Amid the Dance of Fireflies

by Julia Nally-Greiner, Cleone L Reed (Editor)

AMID THE DANCE OF FIREFLIES by Julia Nally-Greiner is a memoir of the author's reflections on growing up as the youngest of eleven children in a loving Irish-German Catholic family in small town Maumee, Ohio, along the Maumee River. She weaves the story of her youth through sunshine and shadow as her mother and several siblings deal with the reality of mental illness. This is a story to help all of us better understand this "hidden disease" and to shine a light on its dark side.
Initially, the sole purpose of Julia’s writing this book was merely an attempt to heal. However, after attending her first walk for mental health and suicide awareness not long after her brother’s death, she quickly came to realize neither she nor her family held ownership to the journey of this pain. It was not hers alone, nor was it for her family to keep hidden.
Julia is a sister, wife, mother, nurse, and strong advocate of mental health awareness. The proceeds from her book will go to NAMI (National Alliance on Mental Illness).

196 pages, Kindle Edition

Published March 12, 2022

Reviews

[Haley Reardon · Rating 4 out of 5]

The use if music quotes through the book was a unique touch and suggests that the author has used music to cope amidst her family's struggle with mental health. Julia offers an intimate look into her childhood and perfectly captures what it was like to grow up in the 60s. The story was over of grief and finding glimmers of joy and love. A beautiful book about the love between siblings that transcends our Earthly realm.