4 out of 4 stars
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What do you do after the death of a loved one? Can you ever grow past the pain and sadness? For Charles A. Brady, the death of his wife was not the end. Instead, he chose to carry on her legacy of caring for others. In I Will Live. My Children Need Me., the author weaves a tale of faith, hope, and love as he talks about his wife and inspires the reader to keep fighting.
Carmie Brady survived against the odds twice, first in a risky childbirth and later in a struggle against inflammatory breast cancer. Though she would succumb to another bout of cancer after seventeen years, her strength, courage, and care for human beings left a lasting impact on friends, relatives, and clients. This book chronicles her life from 1973, when she met Charles, to May 21, 2004.
Mirroring Carmie’s life, the book alternates between light-hearted, sad, and hopeful. We follow the “Brady Bunch” in good and bad times, from pranks and funny events to bad news and tragedies. The author wrote the book intending to encourage others, and he’s definitely succeeded. Despite everything life throws at her, Carmie remains a positive, loving person. She never gives up. “I will live. My children need me” is a quote that perfectly sums her up.
It’s impossible to talk about the book without discussing faith. It was a fundamental part of Carmie’s life and what gave her hope in the bleakest times. The author also talks about several miracles he and other people witnessed. Though the core narrative is relatable to anyone regardless of one’s beliefs, there’s no doubt that Christian readers will appreciate the book’s messages the most.
The book is exceptionally edited, with very few errors. I only found two instances of misplaced punctuation and one minor inconsistency: chapter eighteen is supposed to take place in 2004, but the book states it’s the year 2000. Some pictures occasionally accompany the chapters and give more weight to the story.
I Will Live. My Children Need Me. is a masterful memoir that should be read by anyone. Whether you’re suffering, know someone going through hard times, or just want to get a wider perspective on life, this book is for you. I therefore rate it 4 out of 4 stars. There are only borderline profanities like “damn,” so teenagers can read it as well. I would not recommend the book if you’re very averse to Christianity and stories of miracles.
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I Will Live. My Children Need Me.
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