Reflections From a Mother's Heart Spiral-bound – Illustrated, March 29, 2010

I really hate to not be able to give this book a 5 star, but I do see where this book pigeonholes into a stereotypical family. I am a hospital social worker and I deal with death and family dynamics a lot. I have given these books out before and purchased them out of my own pocket for several people. However, I am hesitant to give copies out when I know a person's history may not match up with the questions. This is a shame because so many could benefit in this type of journaling, if given appropriate questions. I feel Dignity Therapy (book you can purchase on Amazon) has a better set of questions in it.Of note: There are a lot of questions about religion and God specifically (what is a favorite Bible verse, who is a favorite Bible character, did the pastor ever come to your home for tea, what did you say in your prayers as a child, tell about a time God answered your prayers, did you ever feel God was calling you to do something, how old were you when you realized God loved you, what Bible character would you most like to meet, is there a Bible verse that puzzles you... this is a short list compared to what is in the book) that limit persons who are not religious, did not have a religious upbringing, or believes in another religion. It also sounds very outdated in regards to asking "what did your father do for work" versus "how did your mother spend her day" and "describe your father in his working clothes" versus "describe your mother in her best dress." Not to mention children who grow up in single-parent homes or have mixed families/grow up in foster care/etc. The section on marriage implies that the person was only married once (which may or may not be the way the person wants to be remembered).I do feel, for persons growing up pre-1970's, in a middle class "traditional" family, this book will likely have a lot of pertinent questions. I would be aware, if giving this as a gift, of some of the feelings of guilt/shame some of these questions may bring up to someone who did not fit in this box.

This is a beautiful book with great promptings to help you get started recording your history. The cover is attractive (beautiful with the lovely pink dogwood as focal point) and is of excellent quality weight as you would find with any hardbound book. Promptings are divided into month-by-month sections to encourage regular entries throughout the year, thus breaking down into a do-able task what might otherwise seem overwhelming. Included are a few questions regarding spiritual matters, such as: "What are your spiritual strengths? What spiritual legacy would you like to leave for others? What Bible character would you most like to meet? Why? I appreciate that deeper subject matters are included. For example: "Name a book or author who helped you develop a philosophy of life. Share some of those insights." These things along with more common questions like, "What was one of your favorite meals when you were a child?" and "Describe a perfect summer day" are promptings that helped me decide which legacy journal I wanted to purchase. I originally found this book several years ago at Barnes & Noble and purchased it for myself. More recently I tried to find it again to purchase as a gift but was unable to locate it until I searched Amazon. I have since purchased four more...one for each of my three daughters and one as a baby shower gift. As beautiful as this book is inside and out it will be made ever more beautiful and treasured once filled with the personal history of a loved one.

I was at a memorial service for a beloved mother, and her daughter had bought this book for her to record her life in, and she read a little from it and told us she wouldn't have known some of the stories had her mother not taken the time to write in it. So I bought one to give to my own daughter in the hopes that she will get to know me better, even if it is after I am gone. (And why lie. I wouldn't mind if she shed a few tears reading it when I am no longer around. I am 64 and I still cry sometimes thinking about my parents, who are long since passed.) I recommend it as a way for you to look back at your life, and then to share it with your children and grandchildren.

Love the content!!! Got ready to order a second one, and the price was doubled. Why?

Perfect .. I Gave these as gifts and they were loved ❤️ And also bought one for myself . After the loss my my Mother and several loved ones, I thought leaving a written family keepsake is the perfect legacy to leave for my daughter .Theres a 'personal portrait' section with questions such as : names of grandparents , siblings etc . Area for your favorites like flower , color , bible verse, perfume . Then the spiral bound hard covered book is broken down into months each beginning with a beautiful quote .Some examples in the book to guide you on your writing are : How did you choose your children's names and what significance do they have for you ?Tell about your most unforgettable summer experience as a child ? Tell about a special outing you took with your father or mother . There are Beautiful lined pages , lots of room for your explanations and thoughts and beautiful illustrations . My gift recepients loved their Mother's Day gifts of these special books and I will definitely continue to give more as gifts .

Timely delivery and just exactly what I expected

This book filled with questions that are answered by the mother to share her life with her child . It asks about your years growing up and the time after your child was born. It is nice to sit and relax and think out each answer before you record it. It takes time but it is well worth it when you see the smile on your childs face

My daughter bought this for me years ago. My Mother -in-law wanted to write things down for her sonsSo bought one for her.

in very good condition but wasn't expecting inscription to someone else on the inside. will still give it as a gift to my mom for her birthday in November.

This is an amazing book for any mother to have so that her children can read and pass on to their own kids. It has amazing questions which someday your kids would be wondering about, but maybe forgot to ask. Also, as times have changed, so has the way kids are growing up. My childhood as a mother was completely different from the digital world that has replaced all the little things from my childhood that was so much more cherished. I love it and will purchase one for my sister.

A Christmas gift for my daughter to fill out to leave for her 4 daughters. Good quality book with thought provoking questions.