Maryann Hartzell-Curran

from We to Me


The Christmas Pageant

My Dearest Child,

With Christmas coming in a few weeks, I thought you would enjoy this story. It involves God’s love and protection. I think you will like the message.

nativity-sceneWhen your Dad was ten years old, I volunteered to direct the next Annual Christmas Pageant. I was given a few instructions and also two big boxes of costumes. You know — all of the animals that were in the stable with Baby Jesus — so the outfits were for sheep, cows, and even a pig. An older lady had made them and they were beautiful.

I took the boxes home and put them in our basement storage compartment. I kind of forgot about them during the busy family summer we had. Sometime during the Fall we experienced a very heavy rainfall and our basement flooded. The rain was coming so hard and fast it woke us from a sound sleep. I was terrified when I thought of the boxes of costumes we had stored down there!

The house lights flickered on and off and finally stayed on. I opened the basement door and looked down the stairs. There, lapping against the bottom step, was a wave of water. I called out to your grandfather in a loud voice! Then we both just stood there looking at the rising water.

In a few minutes, we walked slowly down the steps and were careful not to touch any electrical wires because they are dangerous near water. We waded through the five inches of water, watching boxes, bottles, and a few toys float by. I was afraid to look for the costumes! I shut my eyes and prayed to God for his blessings in keeping them safe.

As we arrived, facing the second shelf, expecting it to be soggy and wet, we were elated to see everything dry! I scooped up one box and grandpa, the other. We went upstairs clutching our treasures still not sure what would be inside. Quickly opening the flaps, a fleeced lamb face looked back at us — dry to the touch! “Thank you God,” we both shouted!

Carefully, we laid each costume out on tables to air out. We were so happy!

A few weeks later when the Annual Christmas Pageant was over, I looked up at the beautiful, winter night sky. “Thank you dear Jesus for the gift of you,” I muttered with tears in my eyes. “Also for keeping the animals in the stable dry and safe from the storm. And thank you for keeping my family warm with your love all the days of the year.”

MERRY CHRISTMAS JESUS…

Love you sweet child,

MAMIE

Thank you to all my followers and greetings to my new ones. Many of you were introduced to my work after reading my first book, FROM WE TO ME…letters to my friend. This was published in the fall of 2013 and has enjoyed some success. Many of those who have read the book have written encouraging comments, saying it was helpful to those who are experiencing grief.

And now…. I’m introducing my second book, From Me to We. Lots of people have asked me why I wrote it, and it’s because I wanted to share my years after the first year, detailed in From We to Me, with readers. I always emphasize that my experiences are just that… mine… and hopefully they will open people’s eyes inviting them to have similar ones. I keep my sense of humor throughout the book but also emphasize how difficult a lot of days were without my husband. Written in three parts, Section One, is how I grew up,  after the death of my husband, Section Two, the beginning of my socializing again, Section Three… taking a chance, falling in love and marrying again.  The stories are candid and the information honest and straightforward.  I’m hoping the book will help lots of people.

I continue to write my Overcoming Grief Blog and have written many stories on my Facebook page. Reading your responses has touched me deeply and given me a nudge to keep on writing. I invite you to spend some time exploring the resources and ideas within my website:

– If you’re looking for a gift for someone who has recently lost their spouse, my first book From We to Me is an ideal way to offer comfort.

– Feeling down and need some inspiration? Read some of my short stories based on experiences with my grief groups as well as personal experience in the Overcoming Grief blog section.

– Did you know I lead grief groups? I am a professional who speaks from the heart. Whether you are looking to start a grief group series or you want her to speak at your next event, contact us. I can bring wisdom and humor to those who need it most.

– If you enjoy sharing tidbits about your childhood with your grandchildren, you may enjoy some of my memoirs posted in Letters to my Granddaughter. I know a lot of you will relate to these letters, and I invite you to write your own.

SO…Welcome to you all. Thank you for all of your support over the years as I made my transition FROM WE TO ME and then FROM ME TO WE.

Listen to Maryann on The Author’s Show Podcast

What people are saying about "From Me to We"

This is a journey of courage; one that we will all travel someday.

"I have known Mary for almost 25 years and have read many of her manuscripts. From We to Me is...

~ Dr. Lynn Deegan, Psy. D.

Maryann Hartzell-Curran
2019-05-01T11:46:04-04:00

~ Dr. Lynn Deegan, Psy. D.

"I have known Mary for almost 25 years and have read many of her manuscripts. From We to Me is by far the most beautiful of her works. She painstakingly shares her memories of the first 365 days of her life as a widow, including moving events most of us would be too embarrassed to reveal.  I recommend this to not only those who have lost a loved one, but to anyone who is afraid to feel.  This is a journey of courage; one that we will all travel someday.”

Thank you again for your beautiful gift.

“I’ve read 38 letters…I am taking my time and reading few each night enjoying each letter. I always find something...

~ Nanette

Maryann Hartzell-Curran
2019-05-01T11:46:35-04:00

~ Nanette

“I’ve read 38 letters…I am taking my time and reading few each night enjoying each letter. I always find something that I can relate to in losing my parents and even my cat, KitKat.  Yesterday was 11 months since Dad had died and I found myself getting out of bed last night and going into his room to talk to him. I love the story of JT and Kelly walking in your footprints…how wonderful. Thank you again for your beautiful gift.”

She is honest and that is what most of us need…

"What makes FROM WE TO ME different than other books on grief is the openness of the author and her...

~ Neal

Maryann Hartzell-Curran
2019-05-01T11:47:04-04:00

~ Neal

"What makes FROM WE TO ME different than other books on grief is the openness of the author and her honesty with her feelings. Not kid gloves but boxing gloves are a good way to illustrate how she treats the elements of her loss e.g. anger, fear and regret. She is honest and that is what most of us need when a loss inflicts pain on our “perfect” worlds. Thank you Maryann.”

Her words spoke to me, reassuring me…

“I loved Maryann’s first book for many reasons -- the main one that when I read it, my husband of...

~ Patricia B.

Maryann Hartzell-Curran
2019-05-01T11:48:26-04:00

~ Patricia B.

“I loved Maryann’s first book for many reasons -- the main one that when I read it, my husband of 55 years had just died. Her words spoke to me reassuring me that my feelings were a lot like hers and my day to day walk alone was comforted by God’s love. I can’t wait to read the new book because I have started dating and have lots of questions. I know she will cover that in her new book, FROM ME TO WE.”
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Maryann Hartzell-Curran