Blossom - by Regina Gerstman (Paperback)

Book Synopsis

From author Regina Gerstman comes a sensitive portrait of an elder who enters the last nine months of her life. Gerstman was invited into the mysterious and metaphysical world of Blossom Flowers Ford Burns through private meetings at her studio house in Austin, Texas. As Blossom navigates the tasks of living alone after receiving a terminal diagnosis, Gerstman reaped the rewards of an intellectual friendship stoked with reading assignments, introductions to important friends, co-hosting a neighborhood meeting, and a peek into a private prayer room.

Written in sixteen picturesque chapters of their encounters, Gerstman's rendering of a brilliant woman in decline is intimate and compelling. A session of singing with Blossom's childhood boyfriend ends in a small banquet. There is a brief interlude at hospice from which Blossom recovers. She unexpectedly contributes a final gift to her community. People of all ages and faith traditions have something to glean from this stoic and proud march towards her final days. So many want to die at home in our time; this story displays the Eastern philosophy Blossom used to show how it is done.

Review Quotes

"Gerstman tells the powerful, fascinating, and instructive story of how to have a good and sacred death. Befriending Blossom and learning of her terminal diagnosis takes the author on an emotional and informative journey combining the metaphysical and the practical with great compassion and humor. A must-read for all of us as we face our final journey."

-Karen Jones, author of Death for Beginners and The Summer of Grace

www.kjwriter.com

"This is an excellent read for anyone seeking insight into the profound journey of life's final stages. Gerstman's book offers a deeply personal and inspiring look at the last nine months of Blossom Flowers Ford Burns' life, sharing her courageous and thoughtful approach to dying. Blossom's story is filled with joy, humor, and the wisdom of embracing mortality with open arms.

"Readers will find valuable lessons on caregiving, community, and the beauty that can emerge even in life's most challenging moments. Gerstman's intimate portrayal of Blossom's life and death provides comfort, guidance, and a fresh perspective on how to face the inevitable with grace. Whether you are a caregiver, healthcare professional, or simply curious about the sacredness of dying, this book is a powerful reminder that death can be the natural, sacred experience it was meant to be with the right education, kindness and support."

-Suzanne B. O'Brien, RN, Founder of Doulagivers Institute

"In her moving new book, Regina Gerstman shares a deeply personal account of entering, observing, embracing, and ultimately absorbing the multidimensional world of Blossom Flowers Ford Burns, a revered Austin feminist elder who was navigating her last year of life. Transformational themes of spirituality, friendship, social connection, positive awe, loyalty, legacy, and ultimately transcendence are well-represented here. As a friend and colleague of Dr. Gerstman's now for almost fifty years, I've had the continued benefit of directly witnessing the ongoing legacy of Blossom in this author's life. I highly recommend this book to seekers of any age or tradition."

-Susan Raeburn, PhD, clinical psychologist, author (with Eric Maisel), "Creative Recovery: A Complete Addiction Treatment Program That Uses Your Natural Creativity" Shambhala, 2008

"This is a beautiful story filled with insight, humor, and love. [Regina's] analytical skills describe the power and greatness of a unique soul friendship that will only grow stronger over time.

"Congratulations, Regina! This book you have written is one more way to share Blossom's sacred light! It is also very helpful in bringing death itself out of the shadow-to find that 90 percent of it is gold!"

-Reverend Peggy Thompson, Board-Certified Chaplain, BFA and MFA from School of Art Institute of Chicago, masters of Divinity from United Theological Seminary, certification in Spiritual Direction, Jesuit Cenacle Retreat Center, member of Minnesota Jung Association.