BOOK REVIEW: Pink Ribbon Stories, A Celebration of Life

An open letter to Tammy A. Miller, author of PINK RIBBON STORIES, A CELEBRATION OF LIFE:

Dear Tammy,

Thank you so much for your collection of PINK RIBBON STORIES, stories by people who have experienced breast cancer with faith, courage, and, most of all a touch of humor. Their stories did indeed encourage, inspire, and make me smile. They also brought back very personal memories from- wow! - twenty-three years ago this coming March.

When I started your book I thought that I would read it in small doses. I planned on reading several of the short chapters, after checking to see if any of the contributors were known to me, then picking it up in a day or two and reading some more. It did not work out that way. I became so captured by the honesty of the writers, that I just kept going.

Each individual story is beautiful in its honesty, and yet they each carry a similar theme; you can not get through something like breast cancer without a bunch of F’s ---Faith, Family, Friends, and a Funny Bone. Some of the humor will surprise the reader.

Since most of the writers are from the Happy Valley area, the reader will find some neighbors and friends included in the book. We all know someone who has gone through the shock of hearing, “You have cancer.” This book will be an asset in helping to know what to say and do.

The chapter that you included from Dolores Magro, Director of Patient Advocacy & Conference Development for the PA Breast Cancer Coalition, was particularly helpful. Dolores’s title may be a mouthful, but her organization is so valuable. No matter what the illness is, an advocate is necessary to get through the medical journey. Those of us who are not part of the medical profession may need help in finding the necessary information and resources.

The “A Sprinkle of FUN from Tammy” at the end of each story was a light touch. Needless to say, my favorite was the one that you chose to end your book. “We cannot really love anybody with whom we never laugh.” was said by Agnes Repplier.

So, Tammy, thank you. PINK RIBBON STORIES is indeed very “up-lifting” (pun intended.)

Pat