Last Thoughts

[vpenning]

The scene that stuck with me the most is the Ranger sitting and listening to his telling of the story. I like to hike, and very often I am blessed with a Ranger with a kind heart that shares with me their knowledge. One particular Ranger was in my head as I saw that scene at the end where the Ranger extends their sympathy.

I loved the LOVE that spilled out through the pages and gave life to each of the characters. I especially likes the minor characters who gave balance to the each of the major characters. The details that were given to each one of those made the pages flow.

As an old movie buff, I enjoyed the symbolism that was portrayed with the window; and I appreciated how the author used that window to further the plot and the connection between Mary and Cobb. Although I have not seen the particular movie that was mentioned, the author included enough detail that I could understand the meaning it had for Mary.

The suicide question I felt was interesting as the parallel story with Cobb's student gave a different side to the whole idea of dying when life wasn't of quality anymore. It questioned at what point to you condon or condem one taking their own life when they can not bare it anymore.

I highly recommend this book, and am telling folks that I know that it should be on their reading list for this year. I think it will have the same impact and followng that The Notebook had.

[dhaupt]

Literature, your reminiscing was a beautiful thing for me. Thank you for sharing your experience and your pain with us. I feel honored.

[BookWoman718]

---

literature wrote:

I would like to share an experience with you I had about 10 years ago.

My older sister was big into meditation for many years and studied with Shinzen Young, a meditation teacher in the Budhist tradition.  Unfortunately when my sister was diagnosed with cancer, it was already in the advanced stages and the prognosis was not good.  Shinzen worked with her and other terminal patients, explaining pain management and how to maintain inner peace given their circumstances.  She held a meeting in her home towards the end and talked about the experience of dying to other terminal patients.  From what I understand, it is an honor to host one of these gatherings.  Since she decided rather suddenly to have this and airline schedules were not as accommodating as I had hoped (I had to fly from NJ to CA), I arrived at the very end of the meeting.  Because my sister had been a student of Shinzen Young for so many years, he very graciously agreed to come back the next day and talk with me.  He spent a few hours just talking about life, dying and the hereafter.  After he left, my sister and I continued the discussion well into the night.  All of a sudden, I felt her spirit floating high above us on, of all things, like a magic carpet.  To this day, I can still visualize this.  She told me the end was near and that her spirit had just left her body.  A few hours later she went into a coma and died two days later.  From what I was told by many of the attendees at her Celebration of Life service, when someone hosts a meeting on dying, that person usually passes within four days and it was on the fourth day that she passed.  One of my sister's last requests was to have a select group of people around her bedside all touching her and her friend playing her favorite song on the guitar and this was done.  Needless to say, reading about Mary at the end brought back a lot of emotions for me.  I went through tragic circumstances back in 1999 and could relate somewhat to Mary's and Cobb's last hours together. 

I remember that one of the FL participants was recently diagnosed with cancer and I apologize if I upset you or anyone else.  My only intention was to share an experience with everyone.

---

Thanks so much for sharing your story.  Your sister's last days sound beautiful.  Peaceful, surrounded by friends and sounds she loved, having had a chance to share her good byes and deepest beliefs about her life and its passing.  I hope you don't mind that I've clipped it to keep as a reminder.  My family knows I want no extraordinary measures, but a story like this may help them see why.  One of my first comments to Joe was to thank him for treating this subject so compassionately and I want to thank you, too, for adding to the discussion.

[Joseph-Monning…]

Thanks to both of you.  Your responses mean the world to me.... 

---

BookWoman718 wrote:

---

literature wrote:

I would like to share an experience with you I had about 10 years ago.

My older sister was big into meditation for many years and studied with Shinzen Young, a meditation teacher in the Budhist tradition.  Unfortunately when my sister was diagnosed with cancer, it was already in the advanced stages and the prognosis was not good.  Shinzen worked with her and other terminal patients, explaining pain management and how to maintain inner peace given their circumstances.  She held a meeting in her home towards the end and talked about the experience of dying to other terminal patients.  From what I understand, it is an honor to host one of these gatherings.  Since she decided rather suddenly to have this and airline schedules were not as accommodating as I had hoped (I had to fly from NJ to CA), I arrived at the very end of the meeting.  Because my sister had been a student of Shinzen Young for so many years, he very graciously agreed to come back the next day and talk with me.  He spent a few hours just talking about life, dying and the hereafter.  After he left, my sister and I continued the discussion well into the night.  All of a sudden, I felt her spirit floating high above us on, of all things, like a magic carpet.  To this day, I can still visualize this.  She told me the end was near and that her spirit had just left her body.  A few hours later she went into a coma and died two days later.  From what I was told by many of the attendees at her Celebration of Life service, when someone hosts a meeting on dying, that person usually passes within four days and it was on the fourth day that she passed.  One of my sister's last requests was to have a select group of people around her bedside all touching her and her friend playing her favorite song on the guitar and this was done.  Needless to say, reading about Mary at the end brought back a lot of emotions for me.  I went through tragic circumstances back in 1999 and could relate somewhat to Mary's and Cobb's last hours together. 

I remember that one of the FL participants was recently diagnosed with cancer and I apologize if I upset you or anyone else.  My only intention was to share an experience with everyone.

---

Thanks so much for sharing your story.  Your sister's last days sound beautiful.  Peaceful, surrounded by friends and sounds she loved, having had a chance to share her good byes and deepest beliefs about her life and its passing.  I hope you don't mind that I've clipped it to keep as a reminder.  My family knows I want no extraordinary measures, but a story like this may help them see why.  One of my first comments to Joe was to thank him for treating this subject so compassionately and I want to thank you, too, for adding to the discussion.

---

[meme1]

---

EiLvReedn wrote:

The thing that will stick with me most is when all fo the family and friends gather to give Mary her "send off" and say their final goodbyes. OOH how hard! and the scene that will stick with me most is when Cobb finally has to let her go in her kyyak. Heartwrenching, I cried! It was so sad but I was glad that they gave Mary her last wishes also. What a group that could show so much love. Wow.

---

I cried.  I cried because, though everyone-including me, the reader- knew the end was inevitable, it was hard for all to say goodbye.  I cried because a year and a half ago we had to say goodbye to our 38 year old daughter-in-law who died from breast cancer; and we had to watch in anguish as our son and their three children had to let her go.  I cried because 10 years ago we had to say goodbye to an infant grandson and we had to watch in anguish as our daughter and son-in-law had to let him go.  But throughout the story and my life I also smiled at the love and unity of the family and friends for Jonathan and us.  That is one of the strongest values I took away from this novel.

[rosia408]

---

meme1 wrote:

---

EiLvReedn wrote:

The thing that will stick with me most is when all fo the family and friends gather to give Mary her "send off" and say their final goodbyes. OOH how hard! and the scene that will stick with me most is when Cobb finally has to let her go in her kyyak. Heartwrenching, I cried! It was so sad but I was glad that they gave Mary her last wishes also. What a group that could show so much love. Wo

I cried.  I cried because, though everyone-including me, the reader- knew the end was inevitable, it was hard for all to say goodbye.  I cried because a year and a half ago we had to say goodbye to our 38 year old daughter-in-law who died from breast cancer; and we had to watch in anguish as our son and their three children had to let her go.  I cried because 10 years ago we had to say goodbye to an infant grandson and we had to watch in anguish as our daughter and son-in-law had to let him go.  But throughout the story and my life I also smiled at the love and unity of the family and friends for Jonathan and us.  That is one of the strongest values I took away from this novel.

---

Thank you for sharing your experiences. I cried too remembering letting both my parents go when they were dying of cancer. My mother was only 53 years old. Seems so old compared to some children but now that I am in my 60's, I know that she was so young still. She chose not to continue on with treatments as did my father. It was really beautiful having family around and being surrounded by love.

Joseph Monninger actually made me feel like the nature in the book was alive as another character, the river, the animals too.

I enjoyed this book so much. I was a bit nervous taking part in this book blog, as it was my first. I am looking forward to more. I just ordered one of the previous FL books as it looked so interesting. Hope to take part again with The Poacher's Son, but I haven't heard confirmation yet!

Happy reading everyone.

Rose

[sgregg88]

One of the things that has stuck with me is that I truly believed in the characters and was interested in them. I pictured them in my mind and went along with them.

As well, the scenery was well-written. I could smell the trees, feel the breeze off the water, and hear the sound of the rapids as they kayaked down the river. Sometimes an author can get carried away in description, but this author gave enough description to set the scene, while allowing my imagination to fill in the rest.

As well, I found that I was highlighting a number of lines or passages along the way; descriptive phrases, a couple of sentences, or just a thought that beautifully detailed a feeling. Some of them are:

P. 26 "I've been alove to 12,680 days. I like to know things like that."

p. 34 " A thousand coincidences that arranged themselves so that we would meet. And then, of course, we have to be attracted to one another."

p. 65 " A darkness so complete that it is purple, somehow blacker than black."

P. 152 " Say yes. Say yes to good things in life. Grab them. Don't hesitate.Maybe there will be pain at the end, but there usually is anyway. Say yes. . . You don't value a fire any less because soem day it will go out."

[Vermontcozy]

---

sgregg88 wrote:

One of the things that has stuck with me is that I truly believed in the characters and was interested in them. I pictured them in my mind and went along with them.

As well, the scenery was well-written. I could smell the trees, feel the breeze off the water, and hear the sound of the rapids as they kayaked down the river. Sometimes an author can get carried away in description, but this author gave enough description to set the scene, while allowing my imagination to fill in the rest.

As well, I found that I was highlighting a number of lines or passages along the way; descriptive phrases, a couple of sentences, or just a thought that beautifully detailed a feeling. Some of them are:

P. 26 "I've been alove to 12,680 days. I like to know things like that."

p. 34 " A thousand coincidences that arranged themselves so that we would meet. And then, of course, we have to be attracted to one another."

p. 65 " A darkness so complete that it is purple, somehow blacker than black."

P. 152 " Say yes. Say yes to good things in life. Grab them. Don't hesitate.Maybe there will be pain at the end, but there usually is anyway. Say yes. . . You don't value a fire any less because soem day it will go out."

---

Beautifully said,and quoted    .Susan,Vtc

[Linds84]

What an incredible book. The relationship between Mary and Cobb has stuck with me. I can't wait to recommend this book to all my friends and family.

[literature]

---

Joseph-Monninger wrote:

Thanks to both of you.  Your responses mean the world to me.... 

---

BookWoman718 wrote:

---

literature wrote:

I would like to share an experience with you I had about 10 years ago.

My older sister was big into meditation for many years and studied with Shinzen Young, a meditation teacher in the Budhist tradition.  Unfortunately when my sister was diagnosed with cancer, it was already in the advanced stages and the prognosis was not good.  Shinzen worked with her and other terminal patients, explaining pain management and how to maintain inner peace given their circumstances.  She held a meeting in her home towards the end and talked about the experience of dying to other terminal patients.  From what I understand, it is an honor to host one of these gatherings.  Since she decided rather suddenly to have this and airline schedules were not as accommodating as I had hoped (I had to fly from NJ to CA), I arrived at the very end of the meeting.  Because my sister had been a student of Shinzen Young for so many years, he very graciously agreed to come back the next day and talk with me.  He spent a few hours just talking about life, dying and the hereafter.  After he left, my sister and I continued the discussion well into the night.  All of a sudden, I felt her spirit floating high above us on, of all things, like a magic carpet.  To this day, I can still visualize this.  She told me the end was near and that her spirit had just left her body.  A few hours later she went into a coma and died two days later.  From what I was told by many of the attendees at her Celebration of Life service, when someone hosts a meeting on dying, that person usually passes within four days and it was on the fourth day that she passed.  One of my sister's last requests was to have a select group of people around her bedside all touching her and her friend playing her favorite song on the guitar and this was done.  Needless to say, reading about Mary at the end brought back a lot of emotions for me.  I went through tragic circumstances back in 1999 and could relate somewhat to Mary's and Cobb's last hours together. 

I remember that one of the FL participants was recently diagnosed with cancer and I apologize if I upset you or anyone else.  My only intention was to share an experience with everyone.

---

Thanks so much for sharing your story.  Your sister's last days sound beautiful.  Peaceful, surrounded by friends and sounds she loved, having had a chance to share her good byes and deepest beliefs about her life and its passing.  I hope you don't mind that I've clipped it to keep as a reminder.  My family knows I want no extraordinary measures, but a story like this may help them see why.  One of my first comments to Joe was to thank him for treating this subject so compassionately and I want to thank you, too, for adding to the discussion.

---

 Hi BookWoman718,

Not at all.  I, too, save things that other participants have written.  Once you've been through an experience such as this, or with Mary and Cobb, you appreciate a DNR form.  Here's to a long and healthy life!

[Thayer]

Once again I have been priviledged to be a part of a first look selection that I more than likely would not have chosen for myself.

Again I am struck by what I would have missed. What a touching story, that was so much the better for being shared with others.

[Nika24]

I'm not sure I would've selected this book off the shelf in the store. I wasn't sure what to expect going into this book, but I'm happy that I had the opportunity to read such a well-written and moving story. I started reading and was hooked - I couldn't wait for more of Mary and Cobb. I'm definitely going to re-read this book and recommend it to my friends.

[wjbauer]

I was out walking the other day and saw a large crow. Immediately my mind was filled with the scenes from the book. I enjoyed the different parts of the US that were described in the book.

[mgorbatjuk]

I like the First Look Book Club because none of the books we've read have been one's I would pick out. I always think I want a happy ending. I'm reading a story and I want everything to be good. I've come to realize sometimes the best endings are those with not so happy endings. Although in this book to end the way wish isn't really sad. It says a lot about your people to let you be who you need to be and I think that's what I take the most from in this book. Thanks again for the opportunity to be amongst the first to read this book.

[TriciaLynn77]

I loved this book! I definitley teared up for a few pages at the end, and as the pages I had left to read kept getting smaller, I didn't want it to end. I loved Mary's character, she seemed like such an amazing woman and like she lived a great life. She didn't waste any time because she knew she didn't have as much as most people. That's probably one of the main things I got out of the book is that you need to make the most of your time here. I also loved the relationship between Mary and Cobb, they were perfect together.

[spaced57]

I'm posting late because I am just recovering from the flu and also my son was home for winter break and developed a terrible stomach pain that led to an emergency appendectomy.

All went well and all his friends said he picked a good time, didn't miss any classes.

I want to say that I loved this book, yet I would never have picked it up otherwise.

That really says alot about how many great stories I've missed over the years.

I cried so much when he had to let her go in the kayak. I had to put the book down for a day, and yet

I would start to cry later on throughout the day when I would think about it.

Nothing wrong with a good healthy cry. I didn't believe how fast they got together and seem to

bond so naturally and quickly for two ppl who just met but since this fascinated me, I wanted to delve further into the story.

One thing that I could not get out of my head after a few chapters, I kept picturing him as John Lithgow, the actor. I don't know why that was except the way he spoke brought this actor up in my imagination and as the story went on it only reinforced it. But because John Lithgow is known for comedic roles, it was putting me off for this character...LOL! This was the first that I ever had that happen.

I enjoyed the book otherwise and I'm disappointed that my illness had me miss the next selection.

Thank You for this great book club. It helps me so much since I love to read.

[skiibunny1213]

Apologies for posting late.  I had a hard time reading this book because it was so emotional.  I found myself reading some and then having to put it down and walk away for a few days.  Knowing in the beginning that Mary would eventually die made every moment she and Cobb spent together even more special and heartwrenching.  I think this was a very effective method of storytelling because I felt as though I were feeling the same emotions Cobb felt, knowing that his time with Mary was limited.  The author did a fantastic job describing not only the beauty of nature but also the beauty of a rare kind of love.  And I love that he put a name to that kind of love ... Yeti love seemed like the perfect description considering their surroundings!

[jb70]

It took me longer to read this book too, I loved the first part at the Allagash and then as we crept towards the end I would put it down for longer and longer in between readings.  I didn't want Mary to die so if I didn;t finish it she was still alive on the page for me.  I lent the book to a friend today, we trade books back adn forth and I know this is a story she will enjoy.  I had also lent her The Postmistress from a prior First Look which she enjoyed.

[ReadingPatti]

dhaupt, I love this book. I could not say it better than you did. I love the relationship between Mary and Cobb. I love the girls and how they are acting like normal girls. But knowing that some of them are sick and could die is sad.

The symbolism of the crows and bears is really good.

I love the way Mary and Cobb find each other. I think that when you find your true love, you need to brag on and hold on tight. Love no matter what. We all go through things, but when you read this books you come the realize that little things that bother you aren't that important. We all need to keep our loved ones close and tell them how much we love them, for we never know long we have with each other.

This book is thoughtful, poignant. It gives us all something to think about. What would we do if we found out a loved was dying. How would we handle it? I would hope that we would love them each and everyday they had. Remember that no matter what problems come our way, love it the most important thing we have to share with our family and friends.

I am glad that we got to read this book. I for one will recommend it and I hope that we get it at my library.

I give this one 5 stars.

ReadingPatti

[Leeza14]

I will be giving this book as gifts, which is the highest compliment I can pay a book.  Thanks for the opportunity to participate -- I thoroughly enjoyed it!