Elaine Marie Cooper Author

Historical Fiction That Grabs Your Heart and Feeds Your Soul

God's Handiwork in Our lives

The Life and Death of a Child

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Today I watched the small pink coffin of a child named Ava carried to the cemetery. It was a life that ended far too soon for the grieving parents, older sister, and other family members, not to mention the hundreds of mourners who came to say goodbye.

It was a memorable funeral in so many ways. The pastor reflected on the very personal way that Ava had impacted his own life with her laugh, smile, and her faith in a God who loved her. She amazed us all. She was only eleven-years-old, yet her positive impact was felt far and wide. It certainly made its mark on her small town here in Iowa.

When Ava was just a toddler, cancer threatened her life when doctors discovered a tumor lurking in her brain. Cancer treatments ensued and, for a few years, the battle seemed victorious for the spunky blond-haired child. But after having experience walking through the valley of the shadow of death at such a young age, Ava did not take life for granted. Instead she embraced every part of it with energy, excellence, and joy.

Ava sought beauty in every area of her life, decorating her world in pink, purple, and always-abundant glitter. She adorned a tiara at every opportunity, leading to her nickname of Princess Ava. She participated in fundraisers to help children’s cancer research and used her upcoming birthday as an opportunity to do a blood drive to help the need of so many cancer victims who need platelets during their medical treatments. Ava was a go-getter, a brave fighter, and she was adorable. Although she knew her time on earth was likely going to be shortened, she also knew that she had a forever home in eternity with her Savior. I can imagine her planning the décor for her room in the heavenly mansion, with pink and purple as her top color choices.

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Ava got to meet her Lord and Savior, Jesus, Christ, last Monday, two days prior to her twelfth birthday. She died peacefully at home in the loving embrace of her parents and sister.

 

After the funeral this morning, the procession of mourners drove slowly through the streets of her small town. It turned into the most inspiring trip to the cemetery I have ever experienced. I burst into tears as we approached the local firehouse where over a dozen firefighters stood in attention with their helmets held over their hearts. Even the first responders knew Ava and they paused in their busy day to honor her. We drove past trees covered with pink and purple ribbons. One yard was filled with pink flamingos, Ava’s favorite decoration. Everywhere we went, townspeople stood in remembrance of the girl who inspired us all.

 

Just past the firehouse, I noticed a tall weeping willow tree, abundant with green leaves even though fall was approaching. The long fronds seemed to reflect the many tears shed that day, yet there was something else about that willow that caught my eye—the multitude of hanging branches bursting forth from the one tree. Ava was just one young girl, yet her impact on this life had spread to so many others. She inspired vitality and joy wherever she went.

True to Ava’s spirit of giving, the birthday blood drive will go on as planned next week. I’ll be there serving juice and cookies, and my husband and son will be donating blood. Ava inspired us all.

 

Life is a Treasure

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This week my family is treasuring the life of a new baby girl, born to our younger son and his wife. What a joy! We have eagerly awaited her birth for these many months now and breathed a huge sigh of relief when all went smoothly with the delivery. As a nurse, I’m all too aware of the complications that can lead to heartache, so seeing my son and daughter-in-law on Facetime hold their precious gift was a joy beyond measure. I have my airplane reservation already made to visit them very soon and hold the little one in person!!

Another family is treasuring the life of their daughter this week, as well. Sadly, cancer snuffed out the life of 11-year-old Ava, daughter of my older son’s friends from high school. We grieve deeply for this family, remembering the pain of losing our own daughter to cancer 14 years ago.

Life is so fragile and often taken for granted. We go about our day, planning for tomorrow, assuming all will be well. We think we are immune from disasters or diseases—unless they strike on our doorstep, threatening those we love. Then we are forced to face the uncomfortable truth that life is a treasure, never to be taken for granted. And that each breath of existence can be halted at any moment.

So where is our hope in the midst of such despair? It is with Jesus Christ, our treasure in heaven, Who will never leave us or forsake us. Despite the pain we experience here on earth and the fragile nature of life, we can cling to that truth that He loves us. Despite the heartache we see all around us, we can know there is an eternity awaiting us where there is no fear, no tears, and no pain. It is the ultimate joy that awaits us. It is our true home for those who believe in the Savior who died for our sins.

 

Will you be ready when eternity is just a breath away?

 

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“Our citizenship is in heaven. And we eagerly await a Savior from there, the Lord Jesus Christ.” Phillipians 3:20 NIV

Jesus said, “Do not let your hearts be troubled. You believe in God believe also in me. My Father’s house has many rooms; if that were not so, would I have told you that I am going there to prepare a place for you?  And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with me that you also may be where I am. You know the way to the place where I am going…I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me. If you really know me, you will know my Father as well. From now on, you do know him and have seen him.” John 14: 1-4, 6-7 NIV

 

 

 

 

Benedict Arnold —From Hero to Traitor

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Many lovers of American history are well aware that Benedict Arnold was the infamous traitor of the American Revolution. But the fact that he started out as a hero during that same war still astonishes me.

That fact came home to me this past summer when I went on a research trip to Saratoga National Park and visited the battlefield in Stillwater, NY where the conflict took place. The area of the park is enormous and visitors need a vehicle of some sort to traverse the length and breadth of it. Bike riders can manage the trails as well.

One of the more memorable monuments there is the granite piece that is a memorial to Arnold. The caption reads this:

In memory of the most brilliant soldier of the Continental Army who was desperately wounded on this spot, the sally port of Burgoyne’s Great Western Redoubt, 7 October 1777 winning for his countrymen the Decisive Battle of the American Revolution and for himself, the rank of Major General.

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It sounds like a marvelous endorsement, erected in 1887 by John Watts de Peyster, Maj Gen SNY, 2nd Vice President Saratoga Monument Association. Marvelous except for one thing not mentioned: The name of the “most brilliant soldier.” Arnold’s name is completely missing from the monument in his honor.

 

The opposite site of this marker is a boot, to acknowledge the severe injury Arnold received at this battle.

 

In Richard Ketchum’s book, Saratoga, he describes Arnold’s acts of courage in the midst of the battle:

 

“Most generals would have been satisfied to drive a defeated enemy from the field of battle, but Arnold had the killer instinct, and as long as those two redoubts stood and the British had a chance of escaping, there was no stopping him. … Charging in the face of heavy musket fire and grapeshot, his troops stormed through the abatis while Arnold, raging like one of the Furies, urged them on, shouting and waving his sword. … Arnold’s charge took the outnumbered Brunswickers completely by surprise. Riding around behind the redoubt, Arnold’s luck ran out. He was shot in his bad leg, his borrowed horse was killed, and the leg was broken when he was pinned to the ground beneath the animal.”

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He would have earned a Purple Heart today for such bravery and likely other awards as well. Yet following Arnold through the rest of the War, his pride seemed to become a factor, not to mention his demands for compensation for his war commitment. He is an interesting person to study as it shows someone’s inner motivations leading him down a path of disloyalty and eventually, becoming a turncoat.

By August 3, 1780, General Benedict Arnold was put in charge of the fort at West Point, New York. It was America’s most important fortification at the time. By August 30, 1780, Arnold determined he would betray America and surrender the fort to the British. It was a series of providential discoveries that revealed his plot to destroy the fledgling country of America.

 

“Pride goes before destruction, a haughty spirit before a fall.” (Proverbs 16:18 NIV)

 

“Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us.” Hebrews 21:1 NIV

 

Saratoga Letters by Elaine Marie Cooper. Purchase it here on Amazon. Also available in kindle

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National Lighthouse Day

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I have always loved lighthouses and when I discovered today was National Lighthouse Day, I was inspired to write about these beacons of light. These tall towers with a light to warn passing ships of potential danger have always intrigued me. These protectors of sailors have a special place in my heart for so many reasons.

But there is one lighthouse that I’ll never forget—the fourth tallest brick lighthouse in the country located in Pensacola, Florida. I was there in 2002 while in town to attend my son’s graduation from Officer’s Candidate School. To be honest, it was one of the most painful times of my life.

September 11 was still a fresh wound in everyone’s mind at the time. My son had entered the military “to keep that from happening again.” I knew that, as soon as his training was complete, he faced deployment to dangerous places. And back home, where my husband kept the home fires burning, my 23-year-old daughter was dying of a brain tumor.

My stress level was at its peak.

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One day during my Pensacola stay, I saw the lighthouse looming toward the sky and begged my son to pull the car over. It drew me as if there was an invisible beacon wooing me toward safe waters.

 

But the deep waters in which I struggled to survive were fraught with overwhelming fear. How would I deal with the pain of my son’s future deployments? How would I face the loss of my only daughter? How could my heart and soul survive?

No answers were written in the sky.

We took several photos of my two sons standing in front of the lighthouse. Then they took some of me standing alone in front of that 160-foot-tall monolith surrounded by a tiny picket fence. When the photos were printed —these was the days prior to digital cameras—I was astonished by the images. There I stood, looking small as an ant, next to that humongous tower. I was barely visible in the shadow of the Lighthouse.

There’s something about that image that stays with me. God seemed to tell me that His strength was so much greater than mine. His ability to guide me and see me through was so much larger than my fears. His light would shine in my darkness, leading me toward still waters of comfort, in the midst of my storms.

“Again Jesus spoke to them, saying, “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will not walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.””

John 8:12 ESV

Lighthouse in Washington state
Lighthouse in Washington state

Mother-Of-The-Bride Devotional by Leign Ann Thomas

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                I so enjoyed Ribbons, Lace & Moments of Grace, a devotional written for mothers of the bride before the wedding. But I’ll let you in on a secret—it’s a blessing for mothers of the groom as well. In fact, this should be on the must read list for all parents of the bride or groom because it zeroes in on some of the key issues that can surface when preparing for a wedding. And it adds a Godly perspective to help you survive!

And the cover with purple (my favorite color!) only adds to the blessing that Ribbons, Lace & Moments of Grace is to me and probably many other purple-lovers.

So let me present the lovely mother of the brides, author Leigh Ann Thomas!

 

Welcome, Leigh Ann and congrats on this new release! When did the seeds for writing this devotional begin to take root in your writers muse?

Thank you, Elaine! From one purple enthusiast to another—it’s a joy to be here!

For me, becoming a mother of the bride was a tough transition. I went from being mom to three little girls to watching my nest become empty at warp speed. In my heart, I wasn’t ready to let go.

The idea for writing Ribbons, Lace, and Moments of Grace, came from my mistake of isolating myself during the early stages of preparing for our daughters’ big days. I was a mess! I assumed that no one could possibly understand my myriad emotions, so in effect, I curled into an emotional ball.

I had to hit a mother-of-the-bride wall before I realized I could trust God with my worries and concerns—that He loved my daughters more than I ever could and He had plans and purpose for them.

Over time, I learned that weddings can be messy. And chaotic, and silly, and stressful, and absolutely wonderful—as long as I walked with my Lord on the journey.

 

Did you keep a journal during the preparations for your daughters’ weddings?

I didn’t keep a journal, but I did save emails with my daughters—short chats about everything from planning details to sharing our excitement over an upcoming dress fitting or food tasting. Most of the weddings were organized long-distance, so email was our life-line. Lots of “I love you!” and “We can do this!”

BookCover--Ribbons, Lace, and Moments of Grace

I’m sure your daughters are so proud of you! What were their responses when they read this book?

My girls—Laura, Mary, and Katie—have been my biggest cheerleaders. I’ve depended on their love, support, and insights over the months of writing and fine-tuning the manuscript.

I was a little nervous when I gave them the early drafts because the book centers on a mom’s perspective (mine, and the precious women I interviewed). I knew the book would hold a few surprises concerning my thoughts and feelings during that time.

While reading, the girls laughed and enjoyed reliving shared memories. I think it brought home to each of us the blessings of walking together and allowing God to direct our hearts (even in the chaos!)

 

Do you have a sequel in mind for when — Lord willing — you become a grandmother? Inquiring GiGi’s and Mimi’s would love to read it!

Actually, my two oldest girls have been married for several years and I’ve been a Grammy for three years! Three little boys keep us extra-busy and we have a tiny princess due in May. Talk about joy! And yes, after a little more on-the-job training, I would love to write a sequel. I already have a wealth of material!

 

I imagine you do!! And congratulations. 🙂 Any writing ideas brewing in your muse for future works?

Oh, where to start! I love the devotional format so I’m working on an idea for a book of inspiration for women in transition (I know, who’s not in transition?) My heart is for women to know they are never alone—that we have a Heavenly Father who loves unconditionally and will guide and sustain us in an upside-down world.

Also, just for fun, I love to write short stories and would like to venture into longer works of fiction. My favorite part of being a writer is asking, Okay, Lord…what shall we do today? Should we try something new? Then grabbing my pen and getting busy!

How can readers access you on social media?

Website: LeighAThomas.com

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/leigh.nallthomas

Twitter: @lthomaswrites

Amazon: Amazon.com/author/leighannthomas

Instagram: leighathomaswrites

Goodreads: www.goodreads.com/author/show/785810.Leigh_Ann_Thomas

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Bio:

Leigh Ann Thomas is the author of three books, including Ribbons, Lace, and Moments of Grace—Inspiration for the Mother of the Bride releasing March, 2017. A columnist for AlmostAnAuthor.com, she has also written for Just18Summers.com, ChristianDevotions.us, and Power for Living. She is a contributing author in ten books and her work is included in two editions of Southern Writers Best Short Stories. You can find Leigh Ann on her front porch daydreaming story plots, or blogging at LeighAThomas.com.

 

 

My review:

What a moving and inspiring devotional! Ribbons, Lace, & Moments of Grace touches a chord with any parent who has experienced the life-altering transition of preparing for a wedding while also preparing to watch their child leave the nest. With both humor and sensitivity, author Leigh Ann Thomas walks mothers through the emotional journey of letting go with grace. I encourage this devotional to be read by every mother of the bride—and mother of the groom as well!

Leigh Ann is offering a free copy of her devotional to one reader who comments on this blog post. Be sure to leave your email to be entered in the drawing!

Returning to Saratoga

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It hardly seems possible that June is less than three months away! When I first began setting up events in the Saratoga Springs area, June seemed like a decade away. Yet here I am planning my tour and anxiously awaiting book signings, speaking events, and visits with historians! It is a history geek’s dream! 😉

If you are interested in having me speak at your church, library or women’s group in the upstate New York area, please feel free to contact me. I speak on everything from Colonial American history to being a patient caregiver and advocate. (Bethany’s Calendar)

You can email me at elainemariecooper@yahoo.com

Be blessed!

9781938499142

The story of my daughter's journey with cancer.
The story of my daughter’s journey with cancer.