Non-Fiction Book Review
by Patti Richter
When Someone You Love No Longer Remembers
Written by Cecil Murphey
Illustrations by Michal Sparks
It’s too late to give my friend the beautiful book I just read by well-known author Cecil Murphey. The illustrated gift book is intended to encourage caregivers, friends and family members of those whose memory has faded. My friend’s mother, diagnosed only four years ago with Alzheimer’s disease, passed away recently.
Alzheimer’s disease (AD), or any form of dementia, isn’t a disease with a known timeline. I learned this on page 14 of the 64-page book, When Someone You Love No Longer Remembers (Harvest House Publishers, July 2011). I learned things of value on every written page of this book.
Cecil Murphey (90 Minutes in Heaven, Gifted Hands: The Ben Carson Story, and over 100 other books) offers comforting advice and gentle guidance in his newest book. He relates first-hand stories of caretakers’ insights–gained on their difficult journey.
Equally comforting are the illustrations provided with every turn of a page. Michal Sparks’ works of art match the book’s mood. There are sandy beaches with wooden chairs, weathered fences, a warped boardwalk, a low tide, broken seashells, and a tranquil sunset. These and other soft-hued scenes give a soothing backdrop to the nuggets of nurture shared in each chapter.
An appendix includes helpful suggestions for staying healthy, communicating, activities, and some expectations as the disease progresses. A final page provides instructions for visitors—special manners for special circumstances.
This book will bless readers.
When Someone You Love No Longer Remembers can be found at harvesthousepublishers.com. The hardcover gift book is $10.99.
Blue Ribbon News special contributor Patti Richter works as journalist, writing news and feature stories, book reviews and more for many Christian publications. She lives in Heath with her husband Jim.
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