Miracle Within Small Things: A Mother and Daughter's Journey Through Loss Aging

After losing her husband of sixty-three years-and six weeks later her beloved dog-Jane McKinney finds solace in writing poetry. Feeling isolated from her six children, she relocates from Arizona to an independent living facility in West Michigan, just seven miles from her daughter Mary. Together the two women take comfort and delight in writing, nature, and outdoor adventures as they weather the loss of loved ones, the often grim realities of aging, and the looming threat of COVID-19. When Jane falls and injures herself during the pandemic, Mary becomes her primary caregiver. With Jane in the recliner and Mary on the floor at her feet, the two partake in a daily ritual they call their "chair chat." A growing intimacy develops between mother and daughter as they read their writing aloud to one another, revealing their respective journeys to find peace of mind and joy of heart, even in life's most difficult times. Threading through both their stories is the importance of nature in healing.