Ferris Wheels, Daffodils & Hot Fudge Sundaes: A Journal of Gratitude

No one is as capable of gratitude as one who has emerged from the kingdom of night. ~Elie Wiesel Laura Jensen Walker created her gratitude journal during a time in her life when she could have followed a completely opposite direction in attitude. Her resilience and positive spirit not only helped her to survive cancer, she developed a new love for life. At times I feel Laura and I have lived similar lives because she enjoys so many of the same thing, has traveled to so many of the same places and has experienced similar turning points that became enlightening moments defining her existence. In her Gratitude Journal she celebrates chocolate, fields of lavender, movies, English Trifle, Rose Gardens, Whistling Kettles, Monet Paintings, Cherry blossoms, Peppermint Stick Ice Cream, the Winged Victory in the Louvre, Garlic Bread and English Fish and Chip Shops. There is a sense of comfort as she remembers to list her Norton Anthology, writes about the first time she saw windmills in Holland and talks about her love of music. She also has a love of quotes and makes some excellent points to awaken our own sense of thankfulness for the life we do experience. If you haven't all the things you want, be grateful for the things you don't have that you wouldn't want. ~Anonymous Within this slim volume of inspirational ideas, there is also room for you to write your own list. On the left you will find Laura's list and on the right, there is a lined page for your own thoughts. Laura Jensen Walker creates comforting little escapes in writing. Her soul's beauty is especially apparent in this selection. ~The Rebecca Review

Ferris Wheels, Daffodils, & Hot Fudge Sundaes Book ReviewIn her beautiful new gratitude journal, Ferris Wheels, daffodils, & Hot Fudge Sundaes, Laura Jensen Walker has managed to capture life's bountiful blessings in a litany of delightful lists for our observation and celebration. I must admit that at first glance I couldn't imagine the big deal about a listing of seemingly incongruous information. And admittedly, I wasn't having a very good day. But by the time I'd read a couple pages, I was laughing, crying, and praising God. In a deceptively simply way, reading a blessing list has a cumulative, exponential effect. By the time I was finished, I was not only blessed, but adding my own personal joys. And that's the point. By proving to readers that blessings abound in our lives, from the overwhelmingly obvious, to the present but overlooked, to the definitely obscure, we are encouraged to "take note" and come away profoundly grateful to God for all of life. Walker knows about treasures found in darkness. She started her list while undergoing chemotherapy for life-threatening breast cancer, yet found reasons for praise. After reading the blessings she found in her "dark night," I came away knowing that God could bless me in any situation. I am thankful to Walker for the prompt to count my blessings and grateful to the God who supplies them. Because I have a feeling my journal will fill quickly, I've got several blank notebooks waiting in the wings!

Laura Walker's gratitude journal is one of a kind. An exceptional amount of work that brought tears to my eyes, inspired me to think about my own blessings, and write down so many things I'm thankful for, miracles large and small. So in between those crazy moments of everyday life, sit down with a cup of tea and Walker's journal--you'll be amazed at how much you have to be grateful for. I can't wait to buy a few more for Mom, sisters, and best friends!

Laura Jensen Walker's Journal of Gratitude is the first thing on my new list of things for which I'm grateful. As she chronicles the simple pleasures of life which we often overlook, the reader also can create her own list of joys. When I saw the book, I knew it was a perfect gift for a woman I knew of who was newly fighting cancer. However, I decided I needed the book, too--for those days when I'm fighting the blues of any kind. I recommend this book highly.

This is the most thoughtful and well laid out Gratitude Journal I have ever seen. A real joy to read each page and think about my own gratitudes.