A story of kindness and family values

I recommend this book - very useful if you are going through a divorce. Christel's parents went through a divorce and her mother was so bitter it changed Christel's attitude as to how she navigated the pain of divorcing without it affecting her sons.

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An interesting informative all embracing reading experience.

I read this book, even though I am not divorced. I found it a refreshing reading experience, with a positive approach to the everyday events and experiences that surround most of us subconsciously, and also at a conscious level, (perhaps dwelling on negative life events). A valuable lesson to be learnt from reading this book, as it’s a thoughtful and enlightening approach to life’s journeys and experiences that can surround us all.

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A truly wonderful book about far more than “divorce” alone. Must read.

Across my two hour (there and back) drive to work and a lovely long lunch break in the ☀️, I have devoured it ALL in that time.

Aside from the fact it was the most beautiful narration I think I’ve ever listened to (content aside - I kept imagining I was listening to a Famous Five book 😊) there was so much insight in here, I had to take notes!

The title made me assume (wrongly) it would be about one thing (divorce - of which is highly relevant for me), but this is absolutely a book about and for life:

So many words and pages filled me with confidence, reassurance, advice; particularly about the decisions I have been making recently - like ensuring I move forward from my own divorce with grace, courage, kindness and now (what I’ll always refer to as) “self concern” (chapter 33 gold!).

A real theme - for me at least - was one of learning from one’s generational and inherited trauma, experiences, lessons…

I for one - as a daughter of a Jewish man who’s family all of which except his parents were murdered in WWII, and an Irish Catholic woman who grew up in and around vicious abuse - I have definitely witnessed the power of “inherited trauma”, and it’s cyclical effect on future generations and it’s power on decision making and behaviour. Thankfully I have and will consciously endeavour to break those cycles, but it felt very validating to listen to this and relay it to my own experiences.

I have loved re establishing my relationship with my father; understanding what makes him him, asking about his life experiences and adversities to try and understand what got him here and so on.

This book really made me feel courage and conviction in that decision to form a new bond with him, and I’m going to continue investing in that now particularly as he is 78 this year, guilt free.

One final fun note - it was so magical to visualise the two springer spaniels in the countryside as it brought me back to my childhood with our two springers in the East Sussex countryside. Those memories of which had become a bit of a dark cloud mainly because of what happened in my life afterwards, but your opening chapters I think really express the importance of not darkening good memories - relationships or childhoods, it’s all the same, and that sentiment really helped me.

Everyone has to read this!

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A story of resilience, how to handle adversity with dignity, grace, love and faith

A deeply inspirational story, with nuggets of wisdom on how to face adversity with dignity, grace, love and faith. This is applicable to anyone going through a divorce and quite rightly as the author suggests, one must prioritise their children’s welfare. All too often children are dragged into their parents’ negativity through such a process, which can leave a profound impact on their future well-being and relationships, not just with their parents but also others. The author demonstrates how to navigate through these challenges effectively, while holding your head up high. Clearly grieving for the loss of love and family, Christel turns inwards to explore her backstory and how she became to be the person she is today, examining her own parent’s marriage, relationship with her siblings, her heritage and her faith. One is left with a story of healing, growth and hope, of finding oneself again despite inner turmoil, and happiness and peace in the face of heartbreak. I am now reading the author’s first book: ‘Imagine a Healthy You’ for more inspiration and wisdom. Beautifully written and narrated, highly recommended!

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