Marrow
A Love Story
-
-
4.3 • 23 Ratings
-
-
- $14.99
Publisher Description
The author of the New York Times bestseller Broken Open returns with a visceral and profound memoir of two sisters who, in the face of a bone marrow transplant—one the donor and one the recipient—begin a quest for acceptance, authenticity, and most of all, love.
A mesmerizing and courageous memoir: the story of two sisters uncovering the depth of their love through the life-and-death experience of a bone marrow transplant. Throughout her life, Elizabeth Lesser has sought understanding about what it means to be true to oneself and, at the same time, truly connected to the ones we love. But when her sister Maggie needs a bone marrow transplant to save her life, and Lesser learns that she is the perfect match, she faces a far more immediate and complex question about what it really means to love—honestly, generously, and authentically.
Hoping to give Maggie the best chance possible for a successful transplant, the sisters dig deep into the marrow of their relationship to clear a path to unconditional acceptance. They leave the bone marrow transplant up to the doctors, but take on what Lesser calls a "soul marrow transplant," examining their family history, having difficult conversations, examining old assumptions, and offering forgiveness until all that is left is love for each other’s true selves. Their process—before, during, and after the transplant—encourages them to take risks of authenticity in other aspects their lives.
But life does not follow the storylines we plan for it. Maggie’s body is ultimately too weak to fight the relentless illness. As she and Lesser prepare for the inevitable, they grow ever closer as their shared blood cells become a symbol of the enduring bond they share. Told with suspense and humor, Marrow is joyous and heartbreaking, incandescent and profound. The story reveals how even our most difficult experiences can offer unexpected spiritual growth. Reflecting on the multifaceted nature of love—love of other, love of self, love of the world—Marrow is an unflinching and beautiful memoir about getting to the very center of ourselves.
PUBLISHERS WEEKLY
In this profound and ultimately uplifting memoir, Omega Institute cofounder Lesser (Broken Open) shares the experience of becoming her younger sister's bone-marrow donor after the sister's recurrence of stage-IV mantle-cell lymphoma. The procedure is Maggie's only hope of survival, though it comes with risks. Early into the search for a donor, Lesser, one of four sisters, turns out to be a "perfect match." Lesser takes readers through the sisters' childhood in Long Island. The four girls are the offspring of "zealously unreligious" parents (a Jewish ad salesman and an English teacher raised by Christian Scientists). Lesser has always been "a spiritual seeker," and Maggie, a nurse practitioner, is the more pragmatic sib. Whatever their differences growing up, the bone-marrow transplant brings them closer together; they even visit a therapist to confront any past misunderstandings and emotionally prepare for the procedure. Along with a memoir of family love, fortitude, and healing, Lesser offers advice on living a soul-centered life, on how to talk to cancer patients, on how to live with authenticity, and on many other topics. She also provides a fascinating explanation of the bone-marrow-transplant process. Though the subject is somber, Lesser's outlook is hopeful and sometimes humorous; she describes the four sisters dancing in the treatment room, sharing reminiscences of their parents, finding moments to be lighthearted. Readers will be inspired by Lesser's wise and loving approach to both life and death.
Customer Reviews
♥️
Wonderful.
Marrow
I was totallly enthralled by this book. Elizabeth Lesser tells the story of her repationship with her sister as well as the journey they took together The sory is told eloquently and with pure heart.There is wisdom here that goes way beyond the scope of the story.
I read it ocmpletely on a 7 hour plane ride and could not put it down. It was the type of experience where you can’t get enough so you keep reading and before you know it, is over and you wished you had taken more time. I’ve bought several copies for those I love!