A New York Times Editors' Choice
One of NPR's Best Books of the Year
"A beautifully wrought ode to life...a precious gift to the world."
--The Washington Post
From the bestselling author of I Miss You When I Blink comes a
poignant and powerful new memoir that tackles the big questions of life,
death, and existential fear with humor and hope.
As a daughter, mother, and friend, Mary Laura Philpott considered
herself an "anxious optimist"--a natural worrier with a stubborn sense
of good cheer. And while she didn't really think she had any sort of
magical protective powers, she believed in her heart that as long as she
loved her people enough, she could keep them safe.
Then, in the early hours of one dark morning at home, her belief was
upended. In the months that followed, she turned to poignant memories,
priceless stories, and a medley of coping mechanisms (with comically
mixed success) to regain her equilibrium and find meaning in everyday
wonders.
Hailed by The Washington Post as "Nora Ephron, Erma Bombeck, Jean
Kerr, and Laurie Colwin all rolled into one," Philpott tackles the big
questions of life, death, and existential fear--not to mention the
lessons of an inscrutable backyard turtle--with hope, humor, and joy.
