Book Review - "Conversations with an Angel: A story of healing through the passageways of grief"

If you were to look up the meaning for "wise soul" in the dictionary, you'd find photos of Charlie Siegel:


Charlie Siegel, the grandson of Bernie Siegel, possesses a wisdom far greater than one would expect for a twenty something year old in the world today.

Charlie has woven together a beautiful story set in Central Park, New York to create a primer for healing in the wake of the loss of a loved one. His descriptions are as vibrant as the photo that he took in Iceland that adorns the book cover for "Conversations with an Angel: A story of healing through the passageways of grief":


It's a book you can read in one sitting yet one that will leave a lasting imprint on your heart and soul. I felt immersed in a beautiful meditation as I read Charlie's creation. As Charlie points out in his book, it is easy to become overwhelmed by the waves of grief and the cloud that seems all encompassing after we lose a loved one. Charlie's book calms the storm in our hearts and brings a message of light, love and peace.

"Conversations with an Angel" begins with a quote, "Death could not kill love, and so through the bridge that was love, we would always be together."

In the Introduction Charlie writes, "Sometimes it takes an intervention from someone else---or in my case, something else--to find the perspective it takes to really rise above the storm; to fly above the clouds as the eagles do. Sometimes it takes the touch of an angel to help you realize things you need to know for the healing process to take place. When this happens, it does not mean you are doing anything wrong. It simply means the steering wheel was quite heavy to turn, and another pair of hands has come in to offer you their help."

It reminded me of this quote:


Charlie is, as he writes about in a poem at the end of the book, an agent of the angels bringing a powerful message of hope, healing and grace available to us all if we open our hearts and pay attention to the signs around us.

From "Conversations with an Angel" book description:
Raised in a spiritual lifestyle with generations of family members spending lifetimes focused on studies of spirituality, Charlie wishes to pass on the lessons he has been given in order to help others.

While he was raised in an environment that supported his spirituality, he possesses his own incredible gifts as an author, an inspirational poet and a photographer. He sees the world through the lens of the Divine capturing what we all need to see to move beyond the daily humdrum and mundane reconnecting with the Source of all that is.

Charlie's book is available from Amazon and through Wisdom of the Ages, a gem of a store that Charlie manages with his mother Jane.

You can hear an inspiring interview about Charlie's journey and a beautiful conversation with his grandfather, Bernie Siegel on DreamVisions7 Radio by following this link.

To your health and wellness
From my heart to yours,
Mary

Proud to be a part of Friends of Blue Diamond Athletic Displays, Inc. Be sure to visit us at Booth 758 during Boston Marathon Weekend.

Be sure to visit my website by following this link.

My books are available on Amazon.

Feel the Heal: An Anthology of Poems to Heal Your Life


Coming Home: A Memoir of Healing Hope and Possibility that chronicles the first 7 years of my healing journey:


And my latest and greatest book - Going the Distance: The Power of Endurance (With a Foreword by Jacqueline Hansen):

On Lighthouses and Healing

When we arrived at the Fairmont Southampton Princess for Bermuda Marathon Weekend we were asked if we wanted to upgrade our room with an ocean view. We declined. Instead of an ocean view, we had the view of Gibbs Lighthouse in the distance (pictured at the end of the quotes above).

As I lay in bed mentally preparing for our 13.1 mile run on Sunday, I reflected on the wonderful symbol of the lighthouse beckoning me toward the light and to be a light for others. As I wrestled with fears, I kept my heart turning toward the light knowing and trusting that I would and could go the distance. I had to remind myself of all the healing that I have created in my life. As long as I surrendered to the Divine, I knew everything would be fine.

Sometimes, when I don't have the next big thing on my race calendar, I forget the miracles of healing I have already created in my life. I remind myself to experience the joy of recovery and the joy of creation. I remind myself how I overcame my past and the diagnosis of Post-Polio Syndrome to transform and heal my life. I created a runner and became a part of the sport that is my medicine, my therapy and a beautiful village.

Every finish line is a starting line. After crossing the finish line of the 2018 Bermuda Half Marathon, I am at a new starting line of my healing journey. I am going to experience new ways of challenging myself and discovering new ways of Being in my body. What a thrill to have had so many running adventures and more to come I'm sure but with shorter distances for now. As I said to my personal trainer in February of 2008 when she asked me what my next goals were after 6 months of working with her, "I want to dance. I want to feel unencumbered and free in my body...." Of course the next thing I said were words that fell out of my mouth from deep in my soul without giving them a second thought, "And I want to run the 2009 Boston Marathon for Spaulding Rehab." What a beacon of light and hope I am for having taken on the challenge of running Boston shortly after having been told I'd spend the rest of my life in a wheelchair!

It's time to go back and revisit the dancing...unencumbered and free part of my declaration of goals for health and fitness.

For while I have achieved miraculous goals, I continue to transform how I feel living inside this earthly home. Memories that used to run rampant without awareness wreaking dis-ease and havoc, are now in my awareness where they are able to heal.

I remind myself that whatever happened to me is no match for the Divine who created me, is within me and all around me and complete healing is mine. (Why do I feel as though I should insert bwahaha here?)

As I pause and reflect on this fantastic healing journey from the effects of paralytic polio and trauma, my heart overflows with gratitude. It was by Divine design that I could see the lighthouse just beyond our porch through the picture window in our room. When we ate at Boundary Sports Bar and Grille after our triumphant run, we were in the light beams of Gibbs Lighthouse as its light revolved in a circle.

I carry that light within me to be an inspiration to others for what is possible and how we can overcome ourselves and our past. That beacon of light continues to guide me home as I take the next steps on my healing journey.

To your health and well being,
From my heart to yours
Mary

Proud to be a part of Friends of Blue Diamond Athletic Displays, Inc.

Be sure to visit my website by following this link.

My books are available on Amazon.

Feel the Heal: An Anthology of Poems to Heal Your Life


Coming Home: A Memoir of Healing Hope and Possibility that chronicles the first 7 years of my healing journey:


And my latest and greatest book - Going the Distance: The Power of Endurance (With a Foreword by Jacqueline Hansen):