My Grandmother Was Green Paperback / softback - 2015

Exploring the relationship between a grandmother and her granddaughter, this novel takes the reader on a spiritual journey through the decades from birth to death. As a young child, Emma's parents are busy with their lives and so Emma is virtually raised by her grandmother and the bond that builds between them is unbreakable. Emma learns from her elders what she should preserve from the past and what she should change for the future. Besides being an engaging relationship story, it weaves in healthy comfort food recipes, homemade products, and relaxation and beauty tips, discovering that everything old is new again. It's a fictional novel showing how healing can happen in a family's life and in their relationships with each other through faith, empathy, understanding, patience and good food. The setting takes place in the lovely Niagara Region of Ontario where good food and wine are indigenous to the area. The shores of Lake Erie and the surrounding countryside are the settings for this beautiful story as Emma grows into a mature woman with children of her own, taking with her the teachings from her grandmother. This novel takes the reader through the gamut of emotions and is filled with fun, laughter, tears, happiness, death and sadness. It depicts the climate of growing up in a naturally beautiful area where dreams are built and broken and where people are vulnerable to industrial collapse. Characters with human emotions are developed and Emma's grandmother shows such strength of character that Emma is compelled to carry on in her grandmother's persona. Emma and her grandmother, Rosa Belle, embrace God's help to overcome their obstacles and struggles and to build trusting relationships, providing inspiration to their community. It's a must read for all those who love their grandmothers or want to love them. This book is a great read while on vacation, by the beach, at the cottage or wrapped up in a blanket on a favourite chair. It's also an enjoyable read for your daily commuter ride. And it's suitable for most readers.