This thoughtful book is both a memoir, which celebrates Dorothy’s years with her beloved partner Ali, and a record of their journey through the last 18 months of Ali’s life, after Ali had received a diagnosis of a fatal brain cancer.
Living with someone with a terminal, and, in Ali’s case, a very painful illness, has its particular difficulties, both emotional and physical. Problems had to be faced, and answers found, to enable Ali to stay at home for as long as both she and Dorothy could manage. They coped with these difficulties by confronting them: Ali, fiercely and vociferously, Dorothy, by meditating, praying and writing. The record of their determined honesty is not only very interesting, but very useful as a guide to other people who may find themselves in a similar situation.
This long, hard, often sad, often joyous time was helped by their many friends and family members. Dorothy pays tribute to their loving and careful presence as they rallied to their aid.
The writing is kind, gentle and thoughtful, and intimate, whether we are being told of a visit to the doctor, or when feeling cross or tired, or discussing what might happen after death. It does feel that the author is not only speaking from her heart, but directly to the reader’s heart as well.
There are poems, prayers and a liturgy for the reader to ponder.
Although this memoir is an account of a particular journey through the “Valley of the Shadow of Death”, its stories, insights, truth, honesty and wisdom make it a splendid book to give to someone who needs a “staff and a rod” to take with them on a similar journey.
