A Mother's Dance

Book excerpt: How does one measure the depth of a mother's love? Pattie never thought it possible until she experienced every mother's worst nightmare--twice. With all three kids in college and thriving, Pattie is excited about embarking on her new career as community relations manager at Barnes & Noble. That is, until she receives word that her nineteen-year-old son has been admitted to the Medical University of South Carolina and tagged 'John Doe' after he suffered a traumatic brain injury. Now her sole concern is to get to Charleston, 250 miles away, before he takes his final breath. Although Casey is given only twenty-four hours to live, Pattie clings to her faith and refuses to accept his death sentence. During Casey's long and arduous healing, Pattie takes a hard look at the past--the kids' tender childhood memories, their challenging teenage years, the skeletons in the closet, and the circumstances that have formed her into who she has become. When tragedy strikes again, Pattie must make a choice--to remain stuck in her grief or to step into the life she's meant to create. Moving and heart-wrenching, A Mother's Dance is an inspirational story about family relationships, hope, perseverance, self-discovery, hard choices, and most importantly about love...the sad and the wondrous. I wrote this book in hopes it would bring healing to others, Hall says. Instead, I discovered that I was the one who healed. "2016 Best Book Award" finalist.