A Sundog Moment

I must disagree with "disappointed's" review. I have MS, the experiences in this book are accurate. While MSer's experience different symptoms and progession of the disease, much of what the author writes about is very real to the those who are dx's and learning to live with a chronic illness. I would encourage this as a book for those who HAVE MS and for those who want to understand MS. The 'drug' use is very real, Montel Williams who has MS is a very vocal advocate for the use of 'recreational drugs' for symptom relief, this is not for me, but the debate is very real. People with MS will get what they need out of the books, those looking for an understanding of the disease should read it with an open mind.(very much a problem with people who don't understand the disease). THE OTHER BENEFIT of the book is the characters struggle w/faith, this was a very unexpected addition to the meaning of the book, that I found personally rewarding. I gave the book a 4(not a five) because I felt she fell into a few "danielle steel" moments with her overly flowerly descriptions of the romance, I found myself thinking 'keep it real and raw' like the rest of the book, get away from the the wordy romance.(oh, by the way I have wonderful marriage too) I am not a STeel fan at all...HOWEVER, it is still very much worth the read.

Elizabeth Whittaker has suddenly developed some mysterious symptoms that have her husband and doctors baffled. Afraid of a brain tumor, they run test after test, relieved to find out that a tumor isn't what is causing her problems. Something incurable is. Her husband, Michael is devastated to learn his wife has been diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis. Beautiful, talented Elizabeth laughs the diagnosis off. She'll be fine. Okay, she has a few problems, but they'll go away. She doesn't seem to understand why everyone is so concerned. Her daughter has just left to attend college, now Elizabeth's life is ahead of her. Once the truth sinks in, the shock is total and the fear overwhelming. Now, Elizabeth must travel down a road she would have never chosen to travel if given a choice. Facing tough physical, emotional and spiritual challenges, Elizabeth searches for relief by making some decisions-and the decision she makes threatens everything she holds dear. A SUNDOG MOMENT is a beautiful first book written by a talented author. Elizabeth and Michael are a very realistic couple, in love with each other, even after years together. I was saddened by Elizabeth's diagnosis, and hoped the doctors would be wrong. A SUNDOG MOMENT is a bit thick, but well-worth the time to read. The story is beautiful, told with humor mixed with the truth. Even when the night seems the darkest, God doesn't let you walk the path alone. I couldn't read this book in one sitting, I had to pick it up and read some, then put it down and think about what I read. This book is probably best read in small doses, so you can consider everything. --- reviewed by Laura V. Hilton for Christian Bookshelf

I just finished this book today and found it wonderfully and beautifully written. Elizabeth's faith carried her through her doubts and fears of her illness. I loved how Sharon introduced the characters of the story separately but intertwined their lives with one common core. The underlying faith remained constant throughout the novel and my spirituality has been enhanced through Sharon's writing. I am looking forward to Sharon's next novel...I love David's writing as well!!!

In her jacket biography, first-time novelist Sharon Baldacci (sister to bestselling author David) is described thusly: "Sharon Baldacci was diagnosed with MS twenty-one years ago." The word choice is telling; no where does it say that Baldacci is "a victim of" or "suffers from" the disease, and her own view suffuses this novel with a sense of hope and growth from its opening.Elizabeth Whittaker and her husband Michael have led a marvelously blessed and socially correct life. Not only are they still wildly in love after years of marriage, they have a beautiful and talented daughter attending the University of Virginia and many friends and family members in their home on Virginia's scenic Northern Neck region. Yes, despite Elizabeth's overdramatic and shallow mother, the Whittakers' life is good.Until the moment when Elizabeth's doctor explains that her recent symptoms have an underlying cause: multiple sclerosis. So devastated is the couple that they decide at first to keep the disease a secret; Elizabeth chooses to keep wearing the very high heels she adores, even though her newly unsteady gait makes them dangerous.And for a long time, despite a few mishaps, she is Just Fine, thank you very much --- a common stretch for people with multiple sclerosis, many of whom go for years and even decades showing few symptoms and experiencing little discomfort. But when she winds up back in the hospital and in much worse shape, Elizabeth must not only confront the reality of her disease (crutches, deep fatigue and sensible shoes) but also the reality of others' reactions to it, which drive her away from them and closer to the Neuromuscular Support Group headed by a vivacious woman with more disabilities than Elizabeth who encourages her and other members to own their lives as they are.Unfortunately, some members of that group have an idea that helps them but harms Elizabeth (don't want to be a spoiler!). However, this incident finally gets Elizabeth to face her fear of Other Peoples' Judgments --- especially her own mother's. A subplot involving an angry yet talented young girl is meant to echo Elizabeth's growth as well as move things along. But it doesn't ring as true as does Elizabeth's recognition that only she is qualified to decide how hard things are for her --- and only she can give up her difficulties to God and let Him effect change in her life.Throughout the novel, Elizabeth finds solace in a phenomenon that is shown to her called "sundogs": rainbow-like arcs in the sky that fishermen in particular pay attention to as heralding changes in the weather. Sundogs, technically a type of ice halo, appear on either side of the sun and do reveal real atmospheric changes --- they're not simply a folktale. Therefore, they're the perfect metaphor for Elizabeth's very real growth as a Christian --- not simply a crutch for her to use alongside the paraphernalia of her illness, but signs that she is warming up to God's all-consuming, relentless love. At first t

The expressions of faith and hope in A Sundog Moment moved me to re-examine my life and search for the presence of God in my life events and relationships. I was particularly impressed with the articulations of faith the author gave to the characters of Lynn Sears Howard and the Episcopal priest. The peace and hope that several of the characters find in the course of the novel are courageous testimony to the power of God. The book was simple and straightforward without preaching and should appeal to a wide spectrum of the faith community.I honestly do not remember any profanity in the book.