The Books of R. J. Brown

Reader's Comments

STANDING THE WATCH: The Greatest Gift

STANDING THE WATCH Ruth Raven:

       I got your manuscript Monday and have been devouring it. I had taken it to work Wednesday to read on my lunch and breaks, when I discovered we had a Hospice support meeting that afternoon, so I brought it as my 'show & tell&'!!
       It is wonderful to read about your occupation from the other side of the fence. Everyone was eager to see the book and read it too. Here's my formal recommendation:
       Helping a friend or loved one through their final transition is one of life's most rewarding treasures. As a hospice nurse I consider midwifing death a challenge, with a payoff in unmeasurably rich and spiritual experiences.
       Rebecca takes us on her journey through this deathing gift to Poppa and lets us see the healing, the insights and the blessing a home death can be.
       She artfully weaves her history, Poppa's story and current bedside happenings. The humor of willful equipment balances frustrations with the medical system. The long hours keeping watch and the fearfulness of managing cardiac pain are authentically detailed from her journal.
       As a connoisseur of funerals and a collector of deathing tales, I feel privileged to have been with Rebecca and David on the cyber edge of this experience. From their remote corner of rural Washington, the emails from cyber friends were an important support and their inclusion in Rebecca's tale shows yet another way we can be connected and supportive with this modern tool.
       STANDING THE WATCH is very timely with so many families taking on the challenge of a Home Death, and Rebecca's articulate and folksy writing style makes for a very readable and fascinating tale. Good Work gal!!

May Tracer — an email friend:

Love It! Love It! What a wonderful tribute and I wasn't at all offended. Good luck and I can't wait for the hard copy!

Carolyn Stearns, author of Spirit–Walking and Where Did All the Water Go?

I am always surprised how few people realize the sacredness of death, what an honor it is to be present...By attending to death with the same seriousness as birth, we learn how to die.
I really liked STANDING THE WATCH! It's the kind of book I would want to keep. I never knew about the Certificate of Impending Death and all that means until I read your book!

Lynwood Sawyer, co–author of An Uncertain Currency

       I feel very privileged that you allowed me to read the draft of STANDING THE WATCH. Your account is very moving and infused with the humanity that shines through in your letters. Not only was it strikingly vivid, the book ultimately feels very necessary.
       It's been my experience that most writers attacking their first long–form narrative overwrite to the extreme. They are afraid of omitting even the tiniest detail, and often end up repeating themselves or burying themselves in prolixity. (I know, I'm still guilty of it!) One can usually go through their manuscripts and slash words, sentences, paragraphs pages, whole chapters even. Perhaps because you have honed your critical and analytic skills on your website, you have pared your prose down to the point where your book occasionally even seems underwritten. Other than the very first paragraph, I noticed very little that could be trimmed.
       Many times, I wanted more details and description. Rebecca, I have never made the following recommendation to anyone! I think you should expand your book! As evidenced by your emails and Thoughts of a Rural Woman on your site, you are extremely gifted in recounting personal anecdotes and descriptions of the seasons and scenery on the Peninsula.
       Though my criticisms might seem wide–ranging and extreme, they indicate my genuine affection for the book. If I didn't believe your manuscript had merit, I would have written generic, 'very interesting topic&' comments. While I am purely a fiction/screenwriter and my qualifications for reviewing memoirs are limited, I read your manuscript through the lens of drama, and STANDING THE WATCH addresses a very important topic that Americans evade at every opportunity.
       You have made locations, characters and their emotions come alive. Other than publication, what more could any author want? Well done!

C. J. Macgenn, author of A One–Legged Cricket

STANDING THE WATCH is truly wonderful, evoking images and feelings that are visceral and real. I do believe you should stay with this book Rebecca, and I believe there is a need for it.
I have attended a number of home deaths, and a few in the hospital as well. Your book will be a great help to people who are afraid. I'm so proud of you for going forward, the work deserves it. There is so much goodness there, and some gorgeous writing! Please let me know as soon as I can get a copy; many, many people will cherish your book.

Karen Hoover

Rebecca -- re: STANDING THE WATCH: Memories of a Home Death. I'm not the first to tell you how incredibly loving of you to give your father-in-law the most generous gift. When my Mother's time comes, I will have your book as a back up when I begin to doubt myself.

Joanne Ehrich, Editor of Koalas: Moving portraits of Serenity

I [read] your book -- STANDING THE WATCH about helping your father-in-law die. What many people don't understand is that helping persons on their way out of life can be so rewarding... [& the].... gratitude of the dying makes it all worthwhile. Congrats on... all the nice reviews you've received.

Alece Egan

I really loved your book STANDING THE WATCH. It was a deeply personal & real experience of standing with you. What a lovely way to relate to death, for all of you. Thank you for sharing it. May many, many more readers discover it.

Gunny Joseph Revell

I bought your STANDING THE WATCH, last week, Rebecca. I'm beginning to acknowledge that I'll not live forever, & am making some plans to avoid becoming a great burden on my family. I'm gathering valuable data. Good work! Semper Fi.

Larry Cuocci, author of A Very Good Year

I finally read your STANDING THE WATCH. It is an inspirational guidepost shining the light. Your book shows how to enrich your life by experiencing death. [Taking care of my dad in his last days] I feel I can truly relate to your ordeal. Thank you for having the courage to share your story & your husband's.

read the forward of STANDING THE WATCH...

The Books of R. J. Brown

Reader's CommentsSTANDING THE WATCH: The Greatest Gift

Reader's Comments

STANDING THE WATCH: The Greatest Gift