Kindred Spirits

by Joanie Smelser, Ruth Herron

Throughout the years our paths cross many special people. There are a few, however, who touch our hearts in a different way. In a manner so seldom experienced that it is at times unexplainable. For some reason, we are drawn toward these companions with much deeper emotions and stronger ties. Knowing as someone once said that "life is lived in the ordinary," we walk along our way a bit longer with this small collection. L. M. Montgomery called these noteworthy companions "kindred spirits."

Ruthie and Joanie, the authors, are in midlife. During the past fifteen years they have traveled many roads- at times walking side by side while at other times contemplating life from different perspectives. Together and separate they are always growing along the passage to a Spirit-filled life. Through these years, they have laughed together, shared tears of sorrow, and in times of celebration, cheered one another on. Simple rituals such as sharing a cup of tea draw them together. They have endured death of loved ones, sickness, childbirth, sibling rivalry and childhood memories-both good and bad. They have shared the stress of everyday activities, and just like millions of other women, have survived.

Through writing daily letters to each other over a year's time, they look inside themselves at the children they were, the wives and mothers they are, and the women they seek to become. Join them on a pilgrimage to find themselves and through their journey, you will glimpse the person inside of you.

About the Authors:

Joanie Smelser and her husband of 30 years, Harold, have survived and even enjoyed successfully raising two daughters. Joanie has been a hairdresser, a homeschooling mom, and a Sunday School teacher. She lives and writes in the mountains of Virginia while dreaming about the beach.

Ruth Herron and her husband of twenty-three years have six children. They are adoptive parents, and have foster parented over fifty children in the last eighteen years. Ruth is a graduate of Northern KY University and Cincinnati Bible College.

370 pages, Mass Market Paperback

First published October 18, 1999