Memoir of a Life Transformed
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Have you ever been haunted by the slightest wisp of a memory? Seen a shadowy, familiar figure hover then evaporate at the back door of your mind? I have.
Nothing Vanishes: Memoir of a Life Transformed presents many memorable characters but one character, the life-transforming natural world, provides a steadfast backdrop to the Am I Enough question as I share efforts to reshape my life while ghosts and dreams of the past bring painful truths.
Nothing Vanishes chronicles the loss of a family member every two years for ten years and the building of a family cemetery, Sweet Woods Garden, yet it is not a book about loss, grief and mourning. It is a story of a path toward transcendence. The memoir takes the reader from the Midwest to North Carolina to China, and it is interspersed with my Italian family stories as I see these worlds merge.
TESTIMONIALS
Nothing Vanishes, a memoir by Karen Lauritzen, provides tender, insightful glimpses into the interior of the author’s life. Lauritzen weaves intuitive and spiritual experiences with her true life challenges-a series of family deaths, including that of her husband, which left her alone to raise their two sons, one of whom has serious health issues. Rich with poetic descriptions of the natural world, the author deftly uses the metaphors of her garden and family cemetery to communicate an inspiring message.
Peggy Tabor Millin, author of
Mary’s Way:Cultivating a Peaceful Heart in Trying Times and Women, Writing and Soul-Making
In our lives, so much that seems lost forever returns with shocking force, with undeniable grace: Karen Lauritzen’s memoir, Nothing Vanishes, invites us to feel the truth of this difficult, wonderful experience. There are countless riches in these pages that track a life in which the author has learned to let go and to welcome and, at last, to let go as never before. Lauritzen’s generous sharing is, quite simply, a wonder.
Kevin Mcllvoy, author,
The Complete History of New Mexico and Other Stories, Hyssop, Little Peg, The Fifth Station, Regents Professor of English, retired, New Mexico State University
In Nothing Vanishes, Karen Lauritzen sweeps us away on her magic carpet of memories- poignantly reflective, deeply moving, and simply honest.
Karen A. Shaffer, internationally acclaimed
Biographer of the American violinist Maud Powel
An abundance of wisdom, humor, compassion and love fill the pages of Karen Lauritzen’s compelling memoir of her personal journey that resonates with us all, affirming that Nothing Vanishes. Reassuring and heartwarming.
Pamela Blevins, prize-winning author of
Ivor Gurney and Marion Scott: Song of Pain and Beauty
REVIEWS
This review is from: Nothing Vanishes, Memoir of a Life Transformed
I thoroughly enjoyed this memoir, especially the wonderful descriptive language. It was hard to put down and the humor in this great Italian family left you smiling.
5.0 out of 5 stars Immensely Satisfying Memoir
This review is from: Nothing Vanishes, Memoir of a Life Transformed
From the first page, I was drawn into Karen's Italian family, welcomed to the table and offered the most heartfelt and courageous stories to feed and satisfy me. I particularly enjoyed her journey to China to be with her son and could envision myself walking with her through the streets of Tianjin. Reading about how her closest relationships challenged and transformed her life kept me riveted until the last page.
4.0 out of 5 stars Nothing Vanishes by Karen Lauritzen,
This review is from: Nothing Vanishes, Memoir of a Life Transformed
It's always well-worth reading whatever Karen Lauritzen writes. Nothing Vanishes is no exception. It's a remarkable, well-written book about her life and her Italian family. You can lay it down, but I guarantee that you'll pick it up again and absorb it until its end, just to find out what happened to this one and that one since you last laid it down.
5.0 out of 5 stars A meditative memoir
This review is from: Nothing Vanishes, Memoir of a Life Transformed
Nothing Vanishes is a beautiful and moving book. Such a delicate construction but with such emotional power, and such perceptive attention to the natural world. Thank you, Karen. I'm grateful to have read it.
5.0 out of 5 stars Very compelling book
This review is from: Nothing Vanishes, Memoir of a Life Transformed
I enjoyed reading "Vanishes" very much. It was very well written and kept me interested from page one. I couldn't wait to find out what incident would occur next to transform the author's life.
5.0 out of 5 stars Natural style
This review is from: Nothing Vanishes, Memoir of a Life Transformed
Nothing Vanishes is a well-written memoir with a natural style that keeps the story moving. Fate must have knocked and a book unfolded through reflections that guided turning points in the author's life. A story with ancestral awareness, deep feelings.
5.0 out of 5 stars This book won't vanish
Celia H. Miles (Asheville, NC)
This review is from: Nothing Vanishes, Memoir of a Life Transformed
This beautiful book is easy to read, easy to understand, and has much to say about living, accepting the reality of losing loved ones--and "accept" in the most positive sense what is and what is good and what is of value in life and relationships. The author has truly lived (and lived fully) what she wrote. Profound and private, yet inviting and welcoming.
5.0 out of 5 stars A Life Transformed
This review is from: Nothing Vanishes, Memoir of a Life Transformed
Nothing Vanishes Memoir of a Life Transformed sets a clear intent for the writing of this book. The author allows us to view intimate joys and sorrows of her life with a great deal of authenticity. This is what wins over the reader and keeps you reading until the last feeling is felt and the last page is turned. Instead of becoming the victim of such intense sorrow the author used all her life experiences to become the alchemist. She TRANSFORMED her life into deeper realness, deeper love and service to others and deeper self-integration. Rising above the feeling of "not enough" she created a life of joy, love and tenderness. May we all follow her example !!!!!
5.0 out of 5 stars Honest, Unique and Inspiring
This review is from: Nothing Vanishes, Memoir of a Life Transformed
I sat down to read Nothing Vanishes and was glued to the couch for the next several hours. my weekend chores would have to wait. I wanted to understand how so much loss could possibly be transforming in a positive way, however the author's honesty and sense of humor was refreshing and uplifting. I suspect we all have comedians (our family and friends) and rich stories all around us. Thanks to the author for sharing hers with us.