Marye G. Hefty

Madeline's Prayer Marye G. Hefty 1st edition

Madeline?s Prayer is the story of three generations of women under one roof who are at odds with their places in the stream of life, the world they live in, and each other. The burdens fall on them like the steady, drenching rains of the Pacific Northwest. Rosemarie, the grandmother, is weary of enduring the overwhelming losses of old age, feels like a burden on her family, and desperately wants to leave a legacy with hope for her young granddaughter. Claire, the daughter, struggles with the pace and demands of making a living in the world today and the crushing responsibilities of being a parent to her daughter and caring for her aging mother. Madeline, the granddaughter, is a sensitive, caring 12-year-old whose spirit is being thrashed by the world today?an absent father, a struggling mother, and a bureaucratic and impersonal school system. Individually, they reach out in prayer to find the answers that will give meaning to their lives, but instead learn an unexpected lesson??be careful what you pray for.? On the surface, this story speaks about the importance of grandparents to grandchildren, particularly the strength, love, and spiritual power of life lessons passed from one generation to the next?from grandmothers to granddaughters. Below the surface, this story speaks about how, in each of us, it is important to integrate our young, in-the-world, and old selves.