Monday, February 11, 2013

a summer to die

My favorite book, A Summer to Die, was written by Lois Lowry (author of The Giver & Number the Stars).  If it hadn’t have been published in 1977, a decade before I was born, I would think she wrote it about me.

The novel is about a 13-year-old girl, Meg.
Meg is reserved, artistic, and in a self-conscious stage of adolescence.
She has a love/hate sisterly relationship with her beautiful, extraverted older sister, Molly.
Meg’s life turns upside-down when Molly discovers that she has leukemia, and passes away after only a few months.

Meg is left to continue her life without Molly: accepting the loss, valuing the memories, and realizing the impact that her sister will always have on her life.

And through this experience, Meg is really able to find her identity, discover what she loves about life, and finally see the beauty in herself.

Meg=Rachel.

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Lois Lowry wrote this book as fiction, but it was inspired by the relationship between herself and her sister, Helen, who passed away from cancer.

Lois Lowry writes on her website, “Like Meg in that book, I would go on to miss my sister, after she died young, for the rest of my life.”

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Hannah and me

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Hannah at 16.

Hannah passed away twelve years ago today, February 11, 2001.

I will miss my big sister for the rest of my life.
And I will continue to live my life well enough for the both of us.

5 comments:

  1. That is powerful. I can't imagine losing my sister and what it would do to me/for me.

    Also, Number the Stars was one of my favorite childhood books. Love that author.

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  2. Isn't God amazing how He provides comfort to us in unexpected ways? When the author wrote this, she probably didn't even know how it would touch you, or maybe even other people too.

    Hugs to you, my friend.

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  3. I'll have to check that book out, it sounds inspiring! Lois Lowry is one of my favorite authors, but I haven't read this one yet. I love that she signed a personal message for you too. I'm sure Helen is taking care of Hannah up there and they're both smiling down on their sisters. :)

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  4. Never heard of the book, but I want to check it out now. It's amazing how books can become such a part of our lives. I have a few that I re-read all the time, that bring me comfort. So sorry that you lost your sister. Love and prayers to you!

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  5. Wow Rachel! This book that Lois wrote hits so close to home for you. I hope this book brings you comfort and peace about your sister and the loss that you've experienced.

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Thank you so much for your comments! I enjoy reading each one!

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