By Viola Shipman
This is a wonderful generational story. Three wonderful characters in different parts of their lives, all connected by familial ties. Lolly is the matriarch and lives in the small Michigan coastal town where she grew up. She resides in the same cabin that has been handed down through the family. Lolly honors the past with a charm bracelet that chronicles important events for herself and her for"mothers". Lolly is also a local icon, she portrays Dolly at Scoops the candy and ice cream parlor. She is recognized and adored by locals and visitors alike, but how can you hide crazy wigs and crafty aprons. The persona that gives Lolly joy and a purpose in life, chases her daughter out of Michigan into Chicago. As Lolly ages and begins to lose her memory she struggles to reconnect with her distant family in Illinois.
Arden ran from her home town, wanting more than her quaint cabin and a local boy, she craved affluence and wealth. She falls in love, marries and has a beautiful daughter, but when her marriage falls apart and she divorces, she is left floundering in a dead end job. Her ex husband refuses to help foot the bill for Lauren's college and has left Arden in a financial crisis. She can not handle too much more stress, the phone call from Michigan informing her of her Mother's dwindling memory, and missing shifts at work has her worried. After a quick lunch with her daughter Lauren, they decide to take an extended Memorial day weekend and check on the aging Lolly.
Lauren a senior in college is well aware of her mother's financial difficulties and has changed her plan of becoming an artist to be a business major. She feels caged and is wildly unhappy with her current direction. She idolizes her Grandmother, Lolly, and can not wait to visit her in Michigan. Lauren knows she has to change her major, if she is ever going to be truly happy, but dreads the discussion with her mother.
When Arden and Lauren reach Michigan, they are despaired of Lolly's obvious lapses in memory. After a doctor's visit and a consult with a home care professional, it is decided that Lolly should remain at home with some medication and a viable treatment is for her to relive the past. Arden is dismayed since this means a reciting of the meaning of the charms on her bracelet. The bracelet that Arden has abhorred for years. As the three women reconnect, wonderful heartwarming changes are made and they form loving lasting bonds.
This book is a very heartwarming read, I don't feel that most children will appreciate the intricacies of the relationships at play. The story resonated with me on a personal front, and I enjoyed it, it is not however, a story for kids. Highschool girls may find this a eye opening tale as they prepare for college. It does put life, school and love in a definitive perspective. Since the book is not for children, I am giving it a low rating, of 2 out of 5, but for any adult readers this is a great story.
Links
Author - Viola Shipman
Wade Rouse
Memory Loss
Northern Lights
Arden ran from her home town, wanting more than her quaint cabin and a local boy, she craved affluence and wealth. She falls in love, marries and has a beautiful daughter, but when her marriage falls apart and she divorces, she is left floundering in a dead end job. Her ex husband refuses to help foot the bill for Lauren's college and has left Arden in a financial crisis. She can not handle too much more stress, the phone call from Michigan informing her of her Mother's dwindling memory, and missing shifts at work has her worried. After a quick lunch with her daughter Lauren, they decide to take an extended Memorial day weekend and check on the aging Lolly.
Lauren a senior in college is well aware of her mother's financial difficulties and has changed her plan of becoming an artist to be a business major. She feels caged and is wildly unhappy with her current direction. She idolizes her Grandmother, Lolly, and can not wait to visit her in Michigan. Lauren knows she has to change her major, if she is ever going to be truly happy, but dreads the discussion with her mother.
When Arden and Lauren reach Michigan, they are despaired of Lolly's obvious lapses in memory. After a doctor's visit and a consult with a home care professional, it is decided that Lolly should remain at home with some medication and a viable treatment is for her to relive the past. Arden is dismayed since this means a reciting of the meaning of the charms on her bracelet. The bracelet that Arden has abhorred for years. As the three women reconnect, wonderful heartwarming changes are made and they form loving lasting bonds.
This book is a very heartwarming read, I don't feel that most children will appreciate the intricacies of the relationships at play. The story resonated with me on a personal front, and I enjoyed it, it is not however, a story for kids. Highschool girls may find this a eye opening tale as they prepare for college. It does put life, school and love in a definitive perspective. Since the book is not for children, I am giving it a low rating, of 2 out of 5, but for any adult readers this is a great story.
Links
Author - Viola Shipman
Wade Rouse
Memory Loss
Northern Lights
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