When Rachel’s three-year-old daughter Charlotte was diagnosed with a brain tumor, the world of the Reynolds family was changed forever. In Four Seasons for Charlotte, she recounts the events of the year of Charlotte’s diagnosis, treatment, and eventual death. Her chronicle of the family’s story is about more than the untimely death of a child. It is about harnessing the strength of a community, gaining perspective through tragedy, and finding light in a time of darkness.
This had to be one of the hardest books I have ever had to read. Reading about cancer is hard enough, but when you combine cancer and a cute, little girl, it is time for some serious water works. And it certainly was. The book reads very easily, but it is extremely emotional. The author shares her story with honesty and clarity. She celebrates the story of her daughter’s life, and in so doing, she shares tips with others to help during a time like this no matter what side you are on.
I was constantly moved as she shared about her sweet Charlotte, and the story tugged at my heartstrings. I really began to lose it when I saw the pictures in the middle of the book. Rachel Reynolds told how she did it, and she was careful to point out what you did not want to say or do. Silence is best most of the time. And she emphasized the place of faith, family, and friends.
I think this should be required reading for everyone. No doubt all of us have been touched my cancer in some way. It’s hard enough when it attacks adults, but how do you comfort the parents going through this? You will find her incredibly sound advice, and you can rest in the fact that she has come out the other side. No, she is not “over” it by any means, and I appreciate the fact that she did not hold anything back. What a fantastic tribute to her daughter’s legacy! Just know that reading this will probably bring more than one tear to your eye!
I was sent a copy of this book in exchange for my honest review. I was not financially compensated, and all opinions are 100 percent mine.
ABOUT RACHEL REYNOLDS
Rachel is a writer and blogger with a diverse background. For the last 15 years, she has worked in the field of special education as a speech language pathologist. Her primary area of interest is autism spectrum disorders.
Her interest in writing was renewed after her daughter’s diagnosis with a brain tumor in 2009. After keeping an online blog during the journey, Rachel continued her writing and blogging efforts. She currently writes for a variety of online websites with topics ranging from satire, human interest, pop culture, and community news.
Rachel lives in Ashland, Virginia with her husband and two incredibly annoying cats. In her spare time, she fawns over Don Draper, dark chocolate, and public radio personalities (not necessarily in that order).
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