Wednesday, February 24, 2010

Winning Wednesday - Seasons of Solace

I am super excited about this book! I rarely read a book twice - this is one that I will keep in my living room to pick up again and again and again ... the photographs are priceless and the poems are meaningful treasures. 

Enter to win an autographed hardcover copy of -
by Janelle Shantz Hertzler

Janelle lives in my area and I've had the honor of connecting with her a couple times over the past few years. This is a woman with depth and authenticity!

In shock after her husband was killed by a drunk driver while living in Thailand, Janelle began searching for a way through the pain. Her struggle to make sense of her loss and find peace resulted in this moving collection. Told through heartfelt poetry and inspiring photography, Seasons of Solace expresses the spiritual journey of a grieving woman moving toward acceptance. - Amazon

Though I've had other losses, I haven't lost a spouse, but I connected with Janelle's honesty and clarity about the questions she asked and the emotions she experienced during her journey of grief. And I'm convinced most people on planet earth will connect with it because we all ask questions (and if you don't, you should!) and experience loss at one time or another.

Here's a few lines from her writing: 

My body feels like a time bomb;
at any moment pieces could 
fly off in every direction.
Screaming obscenities
would be a release.
I can't;
I'm not that type.
I sink deeper 
into the blackness
bottling it all.

Questions have been a big part of Janelle's journey and her autograph in this book says - Honor the Questions. Here are some lines from her poem called Questions.

Questions cause revolutions,
and reformations.
They challenge us to go deeper
into the soil of our lives.

I'm growing to see that authenticity 
is worth the risk of inquiry.

She doesn't offer answers and reasons - because life (and death)  generally doesn't offer them. As the book records her journey, you learn with her as she searches.

True Me
I know well the me I'm told to be,
but I don't know the me
that was given me to be.
The true me, the inner me,
the deepest me remains unknown.

The Mundane and the Miracle
To live in the beauty of the ordinary,
to live in the holiness of simplicity,
there is the miracle,
the treasure to be found
within the mundane.
 
Before this book, I rarely read poetry, but Janelle's writing has changed that. These poems are wonderful - the style and words she chooses makes them a pleasure to read or hear. Last year, Janelle began doing public readings and I had the honor of being a part of the first one. The event was part of ongoing monthly series where someone shares their life story - always in story form. So doing an evening of poetry reading was new. Of the seventy or so people there, most were not sure if they'll enjoy it. They were all pleasantly blown away by the evening - seeing Janelle's photos on a large screen as she read her poems. Her reading voice is very moving -her website contains information about Seasons of Solace Poetry Readings for you and/or your organization.  

Janelle is now a consultant, retreat leader and spiritual director. You can learn more about her and her work at Journey Through Grief. You can read more about Seasons on Solace on Amazon and if you aren't the winner of this one - you will want to buy yourself a copy. Or if you are local - Janelle will be at iHope on Friday evening to autograph and sell copies of Seasons of Solace.

I am so happy Janelle recorded her journey in this way and is sharing it with the world! I will be giving copies to others that have questions and/or are dealing with loss.

Leave your name before Thursday 25th at 9PM and you could be the lucky winner! Winner will be posted on Friday morning.

UPDATE: I've posted the winner:

Martha Merritt Tousley

12 comments:

Amy R. said...

Great review - definitely makes me want to read it (and hopefully I'll be able to, soon)!

Debby said...

I heard you speak at Neighbors yesterday and just started following your blog. This book sounds really good and I'd love to hear her do a public reading. I remember hearing about her husband's death, but hadn't heard anything about Janelle lately. Thanks for reviewing it.

Debby Rissler

Glynn said...

I discovered, or rediscovered, poetry last year. Reading it forces you to center and listen. Best of all is to read it aloud and "hear the music."

shelly k said...

I was anxious for this book to come out and just don't have the money to purchase it right now.... so here's hoping!!!!

Kelly Sauer said...

Wow, I used to never win these things, but I have won a few recently - I really, really, really want to win this one. If I don't, I'll have to wait to buy the book. It sounds incredible...

karenfaust said...

im not sure how i do this but if this is the wrong place to register to win this book can come one please send me in the right direction,, lol please karen

S. Etole said...

this sounds like an incredible book ... and an opportunity for further healing

allisonp said...

pick me! pick me! i'm not much of a poetry person either, but LOVED janelle's style & her way of telling her journey in such a profound & beautiful way! pick me! :D
allison p.

Anne said...

A book for whoever wins it to treasure. Wanted to be sure I didn't miss registering to win this very special book!
Anne W

Marty Tousley, RN, MS, FT said...

Excellent review -- thank you! Makes me want to read this book -- one way or another :0)

Janet Oberholtzer said...

Thanks for entering ... wish I had a book for each of you :) but I only have one, so check back on Thursday.

I have three more entries from people that emailed or FBooked me to enter.
Krista, Evie and Karen.

Janet Oberholtzer said...

Congratulations Marty Tousley - you are the winner of Seasons of Solace.
Please email me your mailing address.
JanetOberholtzer@gmail.com