Description
Book SynopsisTrade Review"While some readers may find the title of Susan Allen Toth’s
No Saints around Here unintentionally ironic, it came to seem no more than apt to me. Halfway through the book, I was wondering how many saints could have matched her devotion in the care she gave to her husband or achieved the honesty, humor, and vividness of her moving account." —Garret Keizer, author of
Privacy and
Help"That may be the book's greatest value—that caregivers of loved ones reading it will take comfort in knowing that what they are going through has been shared by many others." —
Kirkus Reviews"This is an important book, not just for lonely caregivers but also for us all. It ought to be required reading for anyone in a position to affect funding and social policy to benefit those who toil to care for others." —
Star Tribune
"Each time I sat down and opened the book, I felt I was reading a heartfelt letter from a friend." —
Books & Culture"While some readers may find the title of Susan Allen Toth’s
No Saints around Here unintentionally ironic, it came to seem no more than apt to me. Halfway through the book, I was wondering how many saints could have matched her devotion in the care she gave to her husband or achieved the honesty, humor, and vividness of her moving account." —Garret Keizer, author of
Privacy and
Help
"It is an honest and simple telling of her struggles, grief, pain, anger, and even hope as she sought to keep James at home to the very end which she did....I really appreciated this book for its practical wisdom and insight it offers both in my own care giving role and in my work as a clergy. I will be recommending it to others as a guide to help them as care givers and as those who help care givers. I rate this book an ‘outstanding’ read." —Le Padre Ver Livre
"With honesty, humor, and a beautiful and steadfast love for James, Susan carries the reader through all the ups and mostly downs of in-the-trenches caregiving. " —
Mainstay"Read it, read it, whether or not you’re a caregiver. You never know when you might become one." —Dave Wood
Table of ContentsContents
Preface
IntroductionNo Saints around HereTogetherRed Flag in the MailboxHis Cold, My ColdLet Me Count the WaysFailing BatterySleeping with a WombatStuff, Stuff, StuffOverloadedThe Nursing Home on the HillTeeth Torture TimeTime on the TundraHow Is James?Priorities: Blue JeansSmiling under WaterBeige Lies, Pink Lies, Purple LiesA Very Short Tooth TaleHanging OnAbsent FriendsNo Skipping to the Last PageMy Adventures with Gentlemen’s PadsThe Voice in the Bathroom CupboardJust a Minute!At the Foot of the Roller CoasterGravyHome, AloneThrough the Hospice DoorTime, AgainOff the Balance BeamWhaddya Know, Joe?ObsessionsThe Last ChristmasSilver AnniversaryThe Net Is Larger Than You Can ImagineAn Unexpected Corner of My NetThe Long PassageCensus DayLiving in a BubbleUnmooredThe Base LineVanishing PerspectiveFrench ToastFirestormA Ring among the Ashes
CodaAcknowledgments
