Elaine Marie Cooper Author

Historical Fiction That Grabs Your Heart and Feeds Your Soul

God's Handiwork in Our lives

Cover Reveal in One Week: Road to Deer Run

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Sometimes dreams unfold slowly. Often the journey to fulfillment takes many winding and bumpy roads before the path emerges onto a smooth road. That’s when you look back and realize it was worth all the effort to get to the highway. That’s how I feel with the re-birth of the Deer Run Saga.

And in just one week, the brand new cover for Road to Deer Run will be revealed.  The book itself will release on December 10.

The idea for Road to Deer Run was planted in my heart in 2007, exactly four years after the death of my daughter. It was an anniversary of her loss spent like most—hiding under my bed covers. I had no intention of climbing out of my quilted cave to face a world without Bethany. Then an inaudible voice spoke to my heart. It was as clear as if I’d heard it with my ears: A directive to write a book based on my ancestors.

Well, that wasn’t in my plan. I was already working full time as a nurse. Besides, I had given up writing altogether. I had tried creating an article one time after Bethany’s death, only to realize that bleeding words onto a keyboard was far too painful. No more writing for me, I determined.

 

American Revolution Monument
Site of the Homestead of Daniel Prince

And then the still small voice beckoned me out from beneath the covers.

 

I was confused, not to mention embarrassed. What would I tell my husband? Apparently God had that taken care of as Steve did not question my sanity, but took me to the used bookstore to start my research. It was just another adventure at the Cooper house.

 

So after a stint of self-publishing in 2010, the Deer Run Saga has a contract with a new publisher, new edits and brand new cover, which I can’t wait to share with you. Road to Deer Run’s cover will be revealed first.

In the meantime, I’ll share photos of a visit to the land of my ancestors in Massachusetts. The path they trod, the stone walls they likely created, the granite monument that now memorializes where Daniel Prince built his first home in America. It was an inspiring journey of connecting with my family’s past while seeing God’s hand in the present.

Rural Massachusetts
My ancestor’s path

Baby Pandas/Baby Humans

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Excitement rippled through the country a few days ago as the National Zoo announced a rare event: the birth of twin Panda Bear cubs. News outlets from coast to coast featured the details about the birth, even offering a Panda Cam for those who wanted to observe the newborns. The cam was so popular, it crashed at one point.

Although the zoo had suspected an impending birth, they were “ecstatic” about the delivery of twins, a rare event for this endangered species. Zoo officials gushed about the delivery as the staff flew into mother mode to help Mama Panda keep her babies alive. Sadly, one of the babies died yesterday.

Everyone seems to love Pandas. I know I do.

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But wait. Look at this newborn Panda.

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It is nearly hairless, covered with wispy fur. It is pink and weighs about 3-5 ounces. The newborn is compared to the size of an adult mouse. It doesn’t look much like a Panda.

It looks—dare I say it—similar to a human fetus.

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A human baby of 14-16 weeks gestation weighs 3.5 ounces and is covered with soft downy hair. At this point in utero, the baby hears, sleeps, and even dreams. She can grasp with her hands, kick, and do somersaults.

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Yet at 14-16 weeks gestation and even older, this human baby is at risk for a nightmarish experience. It is at risk for being pulled apart, piece by piece, limb by limb. In anguish. In terror.

No Baby Cams to watch. Only heartless observers with a scalpel bent on abortion and the harvesting of human baby parts.

May God help us and may He deliver these innocents from torture.

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Everyone does not love human babies. But I do. And so does the God Who created them.

Review: “Final Grace for Reverend G”

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I have mixed feelings about announcing the release of the third and final Life at Cove Creek novel entitled Final Grace for Reverend G. I hate for this series to end! I have been blessed by these books written by R.J. Thesman that follows a woman who suffers from Alzheimers. It has been both heartrending and a joy to follow the title character’s journey through dementia, but I would never call it depressing. It is a brilliant portrayel of the person behind the disease and I recommend the three book series to all who know someone with Alzheimers. Here is my review of book 3:

 

A brilliant word crafter, author RJ Thesman completes her Reverend G series with a story that will touch your spirit and enlighten your understanding of the disease known as Alzheimers.

Final Grace for Reverend G is the third and final segment that details the journey of dementia that impacts the Reverend as well as those who love her. The three book series, including The Unraveling of Reverend G and Intermission for Reverend G, is written entirely from the point of view of a former minister who now suffers from dementia. Although her story is fiction, author Thesman has done her research well and clearly depicts the physical, spiritual and emotional odyssey of brain cells rapidly declining and destroying the main character’s ability to function.

Rev G 3 Cover

This third book covers the later stages of this illness. While I expected to find this final episode extremely painful, it also provided moments of hilarity that had me laughing out loud. Mostly, it elicited tears from this reader as my heart ached for each and every character whose loss I felt deeply.

This entire series deserves five plus stars. I would recommend the story of Reverend G to every family whose loved one has dementia and to every caregiver who will ever work with Alzheimers patients. It is a truly uniquely look at this illness, that will open the eyes of many. Bravo, to author Thesman!

Links to order:

Through CrossRiver Media: Click here

Amazon: Click here

 

Author Bio:

RJT - pic for 2nd book

RJ Thesman has been a writer since she flipped open her Red Chief tablet and scribbled her first story. As the author of Life at Cove Creek Series, Thesman speaks on the subject of caregiving and what to do when life unravels. Thesman is also a certified writing coach and Program Director at GateWay of Hope, a nonprofit organization that helps hurting women. Thesman enjoys teaching workshops and helps beginning writers birth their words. She is the mother of an adult son and enjoys reading, gardening and cooking – especially anything with blueberries. Thesman lives in the heartland of Kansas with her son and an elderly cat.

 

 

Book 1:                                                                   Book 2:
Intermission Rev G Cover

 

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Fallacy of Closure

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I only half paid attention to the news the other day but one word I heard caught my attention: Closure. It was made in reference to the killing of the terrorists who were responsible for the embassy slaughter in Benghazi. Now the family members of the victims could have a sense of closure, the report stated.

I bristled at the suggestion. Closure? When you’ve lost a loved one?

What exactly does closure mean? The dictionary defines it as a sense of resolution or conclusion. The term was brought into popular use in the 1990’s when the “Need for Closure Scale” was adopted by behavioral scientists. It was developed for individuals with a high need for order and predictability in their lives.

What a fallacy. Our lives can never be predictable. Anyone who has lived even a few short years understands the unexpected can happen. Trains are delayed. Flights cancelled. Car accidents take lives. Cancer is discovered. Our lives could be described as an “adventure” perhaps—but predictable?

After writing the memoir of my daughter, Bethany, who died of a brain tumor, I was asked if writing the book somehow gave me a sense of closure.

 

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

I told this person that I find closure an interesting word. It seems to imply that one can get over the death of a child or other loved one who is torn from our lives here on earth. In some ways, I think it helps onlookers be more comfortable. They don’t have to act like the grieving person still suffers.

 

In fact there is a part of those who are left behind that will always suffer.

 

If you lose a limb, you learn to adjust to its loss. You make accommodations for its absence. Yet the nerve cells in your brain are still connected to that limb. Often, amputees talk about “phantom pain” that makes them feel the actual presence of that missing body part. And yet, the limb is gone. Never forgotten. Always missed.

 

The fallacy of closure is that one never resolves the heartache. It becomes accepted as a part of your new life. But the pain never closes.

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Celebrate Flag Day!

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In 1836, an eleven-year-old boy named William said a final farewell to his beloved grandmother, Elizabeth Ross.

In 1870, the now forty-five year William Canby stood before the Historical Society of Pennsylvania, presenting evidence that his grandmother, Betsy Ross, had hosted a secret visit by George Washington to her upholstery shop in June of 1776. The new commander-in-chief of the Continental Army, along with Robert Morris and Colonel George Ross, approached the young Widow Ross about creating a flag to represent the 13 colonies fighting for freedom. According to William Canby, his grandmother helped design the flag with the circle of stars that is still known today as the Betsy Ross Flag.

Although many have disputed Canby’s story over the years, there appears to be much evidence to support his claims. So much so that in April of 2009, the Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission officially recognized Betsy Ross’ contributions to our fledgling nation. The official sign in front of her home on Arch Street in Philadelphia reads:

“Credited with making the first Stars and Stripes flag, Ross was a successful upholsterer. She produced flags for the government for over 50 years. As a skilled artisan, Ross represents the many women who supported their families during the Revolution and early Republic.”

 

Betsy Ross Flag
Betsy Ross Flag

The story of Betsy Ross is an inspiring one. She was widowed not once but three times in her 84 years. Her first husband died from an explosion at a munitions depot. Her second died in a British prison. Her third husband succumbed to illness. She gave birth to seven daughters, two of whom died in infancy. Despite these many tragedies, she continued to support her growing family by running her successful business.

Besides being credited by many with designing and sewing the first flag, she was commissioned in May of 1777 by the State Navy Board of Pennsylvania to sew flags for Navy vessels. The receipt for this work is kept in the Pennsylvania Archives.

That same year, on June 14, 1777, the first official flag of our new nation was adopted by the Continental Congress. Today, we still celebrate June 14 as “Flag Day.”

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I was about eleven-years-old when I visited the home of Betsy Ross. I was enthralled with the history that filled every corner, and clearly remember the kitchen being in the basement—such an odd concept for a child of the 20th century! I discovered a love for the ornate pitchers and bowls that early Americans used for washing up before they had indoor plumbing. I came home with two miniature pitchers and bowls that I bought in the gift shop and treasured for years.

When I think about the eleven-year-old grandson of Betsy Ross treasuring the memory of his grandmother sharing tales from the American Revolution, my heart is stirred. What an impact she had on his young mind! I can envision him sitting near his Grandma as she repaired one of the many flags worn with age that were returned to her hands for restoration throughout the years. The recipients of the flags had not forgotten who the seamstress was. Nor did William Canby. And he cherished the tales from the woman he admired.

What kind of a legacy will we leave our children and grandchildren? Will it be one of using our talents that the Lord has blessed us with?

“Do you see a man skilled in his work? He will serve before kings; he will not serve before obscure men.” Proverbs 22:29 (NIV)

Do we use every opportunity to teach our children about God’s ways and inspire a dedication to Him?

“Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength. These commandments that I give you today are to be upon your hearts. Impress them on your children. Talk about them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up.” Deut. 6: 5-7 (NIV)

If I learn nothing else from the story of William Canby and his dedication to his grandmother, Betsy Ross, I will always remember her legacy of inspiring memories of importance in his mind—memories shared along the way that were forever imbedded in his heart.

What memories will your children and grandchildren hold dear?

Happy Flag Day! Let our banner be one of Christ’s love and grace

For more information about Betsy Ross, click here.

 

 

 

“I’m Confused”

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I recently saw one of my favorite movies from the ‘80’s entitled “Moonstruck.” It’s the story of an Italian-American family and their often laughable, sometimes melancholic events that vacillate from dramatic to heartrending to comical. Throughout the movie, one feels the great love that is at the heart of this extended family.

One of my favorite scenes is near the end during the kitchen table finale. The adult daughter breaks up with one fiancée and then agrees to marry his brother instead. It is brilliantly written, and shows the changing condition of our lives from one moment to the next. In the midst of the situation, the elderly grandfather becomes confused and begins to weep. His son, Cosmo Castorini, looks at his dad. “What’s the matter, Pop?”

The old man rubs his moist eyes. “I’m confused.”

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It’s a sweet and funny moment—yet seems to express the sentiment of the hour in which we live: We’re confused.

 

Consider these recent occurrences:

 

–       A former male Olympian re-emerges as a female

–       A male singer at an airport dresses in a skirt, wears makeup and bright pink high heeled women’s shoes, and no one seems to bat an eye

–       A terrorist who has killed a child with a bomb is featured on the cover of a popular magazine

–       A best selling book featuring a woman in bondage is deemed a romance and turned into a successful movie

–       United States military chaplains are not allowed to express Christianity in their work

 

And we thought the grandfather from Moonstruck was confused.

We as a society have allowed confusion to reign when we ignore basic principles in God’s word. Life is really not all that confusing when we seek wisdom from our Creator.

“For God is not a God of confusion but of peace.” 1 Corinthians 14:33 (ESV)

Does this mean we become haters and mockers of those who are confused? No. We are commanded to love but to be unafraid to stand for the truth. But until faith and trust softens the hearts and souls of non-believers, confusion will reign.

“The natural person does not accept the things of the Spirit of God, for they are folly to him, and he is not able to understand them because they are spiritually discerned.” 1 Corinthians 2:14 (ESV)

The answer to the confusion? Prayer. Pray for salvation for those who are confused and that the eyes of the spiritually blind will see.

It is only through the cross of Christ that reaches to heaven to forgive ALL of our sins—yours and mine—that hearts will be changed, and confusion turned to understanding and peace.

“For the word of the cross is folly to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved, it is the power of God.” 1 Corinthians 1:18

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Featured image of Confusion courtesy of FreeDigitalPhotos.net