"I've taught you how to live; now I want to teach you how to die. You don't have to be afraid." When Becky Baudouin’s mother spoke those words to her, they weren't said lightly. Her mother had an inoperable tumor--and after months of treatment, there was no hope for a longer life. There was, however, assurance of life everlasting. Learned in the dark hours of pain and the bright moments of love, the honest insights on fear, loss, and grief that Becky shares in this book are applicable to everyone's story--including yours. If you're losing a loved one or facing death, you won't be alone on your journey: Becky walks with you every step of the way. There are even questions for reflection to guide you to comfort, whether you're reading on your own or with others sharing the struggle. In times when hope seems lost, Becky's story reveals that God is the only source for a spirit's true healing. For anyone living with the tension of wanting to hold on yet needing to let go, Cancer, Faith, and Unexpected Joy demonstrates a powerful and profound love. "In Cancer, Faith, and Unexpected Joy , Becky's mother becomes my mother; her grief, my grief; her hope, my hope. With a combination of emotion, vulnerability, and dailiness, this book offers practical comfort and wisdom for anyone in a place of trial or suffering." --Jane Rubietta, international speaker and author “In Cancer, Faith, and Unexpected Joy , Becky’s mother becomes my mother; her grief, my grief; her hope, my hope. With a combination of emotion, vulnerability, and dailiness, this book offers practical comfort and wisdom for anyone in a place of trial or suffering. Buy two; give one as a gift. You’ll both be relieved not to navigate the journey by yourself.” -- Jane Rubietta, international speaker and author of Worry Less So You Can Live More Published On: 2017-06-16 “Becky Baudouin invites the reader to step into her family story and pull up a chair. Cancer, Faith, and Unexpected Joy is an engaging, powerful memoir about love and loss, mothers and daughters, and healing in the midst of death. I sat down to start it, finished it the same day, and invited my husband into a long conversation about it that evening. Baudouin’s subtitle and repeating theme, ‘What my mother taught me about how to live and how to die,’ becomes a lesson in living and dying for each of us. All of us know someone who could use this book right now. Bravo, Becky!” -- Letitia Suk, author of Getaway with God: The Everywoman’s Guide to Personal Retreat Published On: 2017-06-16 “Becky’s extraordinary skill as a writer and her astute spiritual insights provide readers with a glimpse into how one woman navigated the heartbreak of losing her mom to cancer. From her mom’s diagnosis to her untimely death, Becky captured each moment with her mom as a treasured memory. The book’s rhythm of succinct chapters, the spiritual truths woven throughout, the setting of home, her childhood memories, and her past and present struggles all make Becky’s story ring with authenticity and familiarity. If you’re walking alongside someone who is battling cancer, you’re sure to resonate with Becky’s experiences―and gain wisdom and hope from her well-told journey.” -- September Vaudrey, author of Colors of Goodbye Published On: 2017-06-16 Becky Baudouin is a writer and former columnist at Chicago's Daily Herald . For over a decade, Baudouin has helped lead marriage and grief workshops, and is currently a speaker for MOPS. She lives outside of Chicago with her husband and three daughters. Cancer, Faith, and Unexpected Joy What My Mother Taught Me About How to Live and How to Die By Becky Baudouin Kregel Publications Copyright © 2017 Becky Baudouin All rights reserved. ISBN: 978-0-8254-4474-6 Contents Acknowledgments, 11, Introduction, 13, 1 High and Low, 17, 2 Times and Seasons, 20, 3 Defining Me, 23, 4 Hundred-Dollar Piano, 27, 5 Green Cake, 31, 6 Bookends, 33, 7 No Turning Back, 35, 8 Game Changers, 39, 9 Walk with Me, 43, 10 Do Not Be Afraid, 49, 11 God's Sharpie, 52, 12 Burden Bearers, 55, 13 A Win-Win Kind of Faith, 59, 14 Let's Just Get This Over With, 65, 15 In Everything, 69, 16 Ripples, 73, 17 Grieve As You Go, 77, 18 No More Shame, 80, 19 Margie and the Dog, 86, 20 Surrender, 90, 21 Letting Go, 93, 22 Holding On, 99, 23 Give Me Jesus, 101, 24 Beautiful Day, 106, 25 Life Goes On, 108, 26 Obituary, Long Version, 112, 27 No More Pain, 116, 28 Life After, 119, 29 Mexico, 122, 30 Irreplaceable, 125, 31 Coming Home, 127, 32 Always a Part of Me, 130, 33 The Most Wonderful Time of the Year, 133, 34 Bells, 138, 35 A Ten-Year-Old's Guide to Being Happy, 141, 36 Just a Matter of Time, 145, 37 Ravioli and Candy Bar Bingo, 149, 38 Shooting Stars, 152, 39 Live Well, Die Well, 157, 40 A Word About Groups and Grief, 164, Questions for Personal Reflection and Journaling or for Small-Group Discussion, 167, About the Author, 175, CHAPTER 1