life

Relevant Fiction Reviews: The Beginning of Life

/ CAstfalk / 8 Comments

Relevant Fiction Reviews

Because fiction excels at creating empathy, books that involve deeply personal, emotionally-intense issues help readers consider situations in a whole new light. Over the years, I’ve read many books that touch on life issues – both at its beginning and end. These books are ones that touch on abortion and related life issues.

The reviews may not even mention abortion, as these aren’t “message” books but rather novels that skillfully weave life issues into the plot. Beneath the reviews are several other books that merit being included, but for which I did not post a review. (There was actually a time when I didn’t review almost everything I read! I also haven’t reviewed my own book, for obvious reasons. )

And finally, there are four dystopian series listed, which were also included in the end-of-life post. I hope you’ll click through and read more about these exceptional books! Continue reading →

Commemorating Pregnancy Loss

/ CAstfalk / 4 Comments

October is National Pregnancy and Infant Loss Awareness Month. While it’s the last day of October, it seems fitting to me to write about it today, All Hallow’s Eve, the precursor to All Saints Day and All Souls Day.

baby hand

Photo by Sepp. (pixabay)

I don’t have any great wisdom to share. I don’t generally like to offer advice. I do, however, know intimately the pain of pregnancy loss. Every day, I remember the three babies we lost, even though those pregnancies ended in 2010 and 2006. Continue reading →

How Do You Celebrate the Lives of Those You Love?

/ CAstfalk / 6 Comments

September brings with it an end of summer, a start of another school year, and in our family, two birthdays: mine and my youngest daughter’s. (There’s also the Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary (September 8), which provides yet another excuse for us to devour birthday cake!)

In a culture that devalues life, celebrating a birthday says, “I’m glad you were born.  I’m blessed to know you. I enjoy spending time with you.”

My parents welcomed me in their mid-to-late forties, more than a decade after the younger of my two brothers. My brothers welcomed me as well, despite the fact it meant that eventually they had to share a room. I say eventually, because I think I slept in a crib in my parents’ room until I was five. (Maybe that’s the subconscious reason I’ve never used a crib with our kids.  Hmmm . . . )

Jeremiah 1:5

Continue reading →