KAREN KINGSBURY - LEAVING (book 1, Bailey Flanigan series)
Let’s give a shout-out to this first book of the Bailey Flanigan series!
Whoever said ‘life is difficult’ was underestimating things. Leaving illustrates just how much change challenges us.
Sometimes the changes are welcome and anticipated - such as auditioning for Broadway (Bailey’s dream).
Sometimes they are inevitable - growing up, moving on (Kids have to leave one day, they can’t mooch off mom and dad forever).
Sometimes change is dreaded - learning you (or your spouse) has cancer, for instance.
Regardless, life is full of change. The trick to dealing with it is realizing changes will come, and treasuring the moments together for as long as they last.
Bailey Flanigan is excited to be asked to audition for Broadway - this opportunity is her dream!
Even as she prepares to move, Bailey comes to realize that she won’t be able to see her family daily or join in the family meals and other after-church activities. Despite missing her brothers, parents and friends - even before she boards the plane! - Bailey is determined to make the most of her time in Broadway.
Cody Coleman has already physically left. He left over four months ago for the last time - hasn’t called, texted, or visited since.
In his mind, Cody, once Bailey’s boyfriend, has all sorts of excuses why he shouldn’t miss her, and why they shouldn’t be together.
His heart, has a different opinion and pines for the old friendship between Cody and Bailey - and for the future they could have had. No amount of matchmaking from well-meaning mothers of dead friends will distract his longing heart.
No time to sleep isn’t an excuse either Cody goes to school, supports himself through two, sometimes three jobs, visits his incarcerated mother weekly - yet can’t find the time to drive the couple of hours necessary to see Bailey or the energy to pick up a phone and call.
Cody has already left Bailey’s life - but she hasn’t left his.
A firefighter, a real hero to his family, an inspiring father to his sons, well loved by the community he serves, is diagnosed with a type of terminal lung cancer.
This is the same lung disease many first responders at Ground Zero developed after spending months helping and working to rescue the trapped and dying in the rubble.
His wife fears this incurable illness will steal him away - away from her, and their two young boys.
Already, the family has lost a daughter; the children lost a grandmother years ago to cancer. Can they cope with his death if a lung donor isn’t found in time?
All I can say is this: LEAVING tears at heartstrings, but in a good way.
Karen Kingsbury reminds us that even in the midst of loss, of terrible tragedies, there is still hope for a brighter future.
Whoever said ‘life is difficult’ was underestimating things. Leaving illustrates just how much change challenges us.
Sometimes the changes are welcome and anticipated - such as auditioning for Broadway (Bailey’s dream).
Sometimes they are inevitable - growing up, moving on (Kids have to leave one day, they can’t mooch off mom and dad forever).
Sometimes change is dreaded - learning you (or your spouse) has cancer, for instance.
Regardless, life is full of change. The trick to dealing with it is realizing changes will come, and treasuring the moments together for as long as they last.
Bailey Flanigan is excited to be asked to audition for Broadway - this opportunity is her dream!
Even as she prepares to move, Bailey comes to realize that she won’t be able to see her family daily or join in the family meals and other after-church activities. Despite missing her brothers, parents and friends - even before she boards the plane! - Bailey is determined to make the most of her time in Broadway.
Cody Coleman has already physically left. He left over four months ago for the last time - hasn’t called, texted, or visited since.
In his mind, Cody, once Bailey’s boyfriend, has all sorts of excuses why he shouldn’t miss her, and why they shouldn’t be together.
His heart, has a different opinion and pines for the old friendship between Cody and Bailey - and for the future they could have had. No amount of matchmaking from well-meaning mothers of dead friends will distract his longing heart.
No time to sleep isn’t an excuse either Cody goes to school, supports himself through two, sometimes three jobs, visits his incarcerated mother weekly - yet can’t find the time to drive the couple of hours necessary to see Bailey or the energy to pick up a phone and call.
Cody has already left Bailey’s life - but she hasn’t left his.
A firefighter, a real hero to his family, an inspiring father to his sons, well loved by the community he serves, is diagnosed with a type of terminal lung cancer.
This is the same lung disease many first responders at Ground Zero developed after spending months helping and working to rescue the trapped and dying in the rubble.
His wife fears this incurable illness will steal him away - away from her, and their two young boys.
Already, the family has lost a daughter; the children lost a grandmother years ago to cancer. Can they cope with his death if a lung donor isn’t found in time?
All I can say is this: LEAVING tears at heartstrings, but in a good way.
Karen Kingsbury reminds us that even in the midst of loss, of terrible tragedies, there is still hope for a brighter future.