The Hope Chest
A Novel
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4.5 • 33 Ratings
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- $11.99
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- $11.99
Publisher Description
"Saugatuck, MI, springs to life in this nostalgic, gentle story of lifelong love along with the emotional support and care that families and friends can provide. " —Library Journal
The discovery of one woman’s heirloom hope chest unveils precious memories and helps three people who have each lost a part of themselves find joy once again.
Ever since she was diagnosed with ALS, fiercely independent Mattie doesn’t feel like herself. She can’t navigate her beloved home, she can’t go for a boat ride, and she can barely even feed herself. Her devoted husband, Don, doesn’t want to imagine life without his wife of nearly fifty years, but Mattie isn’t likely to make it past their anniversary.
But when Rose, Mattie’s new caretaker, and her young daughter, Jeri, enter the couple’s life, happiness and the possibility for new memories return. Together they form a family, and Mattie is finally able to pass on her memories from the hope chest she received from her mother.
With each item—including a favorite doll, family dishes, an embroidered apron, and an antique Christmas ornament—the hope chest connects Mattie, Don and Rose to each other and helps them find hope again in the face of overwhelming life challenges.
A beautiful story about the unconditional love and support of family, The Hope Chest by Viola Shipman will remind you that hope can be found where and when you least expect it.
Customer Reviews
I LOVED this book
What a soul touching book. Main character is a woman, Mattie, dying from ALS & her devoted husband, Don getting ready to celebrate their 50th anniversary. Unable to do anything for herself, they hire a helper to assist with her care. She has a 7 year old daughter. Over the remaining months of Mattie’s life, the 4 of them form their own family. While Mattie’s body has become withered & drawn, her brain still works perfectly. And her heart is so open & pure love flows out. Her friends have abandoned her because her disease makes them so uncomfortable. This book has lessons for everybody, but at no time does it come across as preachy or heavy handed. The only thing that I didn’t like about this book was that it ended much too quickly. I rarely reread books (on purpose) but I will reread this one, probably numerous times. Don’t miss this one.
The Hope Chest
This book took my breathe away! Each and every page caught my heart with the beauty of the story being told. I connected with my own love of my hope chest. I could not stop the tears from rolling and my own memories of my loved ones who have passed and the story they have weaved into my soul! Hope is alive!!
Really enjoyed this book
I enjoyed reading this book. I like the different storyline and the ending.