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Notes Left Behind |  | Authors: Brooke Desserich, Keith Desserich
Publisher: William Morrow
List Price: $19.99
Buy New: $11.19
as of 11/22/2009 01:14 CST details
You Save: $8.80 (44%)
New (20) Used (8) Collectible (1) from $8.21
Seller: jaybees-books
Rating:  33 reviews
Sales Rank: 880
Media: Hardcover
Edition: 1
Pages: 272
Number Of Items: 1
Shipping Weight (lbs): 0.9
Dimensions (in): 8.4 x 5.6 x 1.1
ISBN: 0061886394
Dewey Decimal Number: 920
EAN: 9780061886393
ASIN: 0061886394
Publication Date: November 1, 2009 (New: Last 30 Days)
Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days
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Product Description
Elena Desserich dreamed of becoming a teacher. Although her time on this earth was far too short to fulfill her dream, she left behind an enlightening lesson plan on life. Wise beyond her years, Elena never stopped teaching those around her to appreciate the miracle of everyday living even as the innocent six-year-old battled a rare form of brain cancer. Through personal and candid journal entries written as a remembrance for Elena's younger sister, Brooke and Keith Desserich share their emotional journey as they negotiated their contradictory impulses to fight Elena's cancer at all costs and realized the inevitable outcome. Page by page, this journal is a reminder to parents everywhere to appreciate and savor every precious moment they have with their own children. Notes Left Behind tells a story of humility and inspiration. From the time of her diagnosis, Elena accomplished a truly spectacular series of wishes, big and small, that she alone created, from riding in a horse-drawn carriage to painting a masterpiece that would hang in an art museum. Her life motivated the creation of the foundation, The Cure Starts Now, which today helps children everywhere in their fight against cancer. The authors' proceeds from the sale of this book benefits this foundation. Included in the pages of this book are Elena's private messages that she secretly hid around her home, knowing her family would find them when she was gone. These notes show us how even during the darker moments of life, it is possible to find hope and encouragement through selfless love.
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| Customer Reviews:
Showing reviews 1-5 of 33
 Beautiful November 21, 2009
NutMac (Mountain View, CA)
As a first time father to an 11-month old, opening the book was quite a challenge. The book sat on the shelf for a couple weeks, completely untouched. Out of the blue, well, perhaps because it was raining outside, I started reading. It took just a couple of days to read, but I feel as though I have lived through every days chronicled by the parents of a 5-year old girl, Alena.
In the opening chapter, Alena's father finds yet another letter by now deceased Alena. He tucks the letter in his briefcase, unable to open. On the last letter he opened, Alena wrote "I am sorry that I am sick."
The next chapter flashes back to the day parents are told that Alena has just 135 days to live. The writer switches back-and-forth between father and mother, giving their honest account over 256 days Alena goes on to live.
As I continued, a strange thing happened. Instead of feeling depressed, I felt fortunate and very thankful to have a healthy 11-month old son. I don't know what the future will bring, but I feel very thankful for every days since birth, reaffirming my commitment to be a better father. Instead of feeling sorry for the parents, I want to thank them for opening up and sharing their private thoughts.
This is a beautiful book, filled with photographs of Alena and several of her drawings (more of the drawings are on the book's website).
It should be required reading for all... November 21, 2009
Donald F. Schulze (La Vergne, TN USA)
This should be required reading for all...those that have children, those considering children, those who love children, those who loathe children. For ALL. For the employer (the world's number one retailer) who won't give me the week following Christmas as vacation to spend with my family, read this. It's not about the almighty dollar, and you may not read about it in your Wall Street Journal. It's about family, love, triumph and eventually tragedy. But in the end Elena left us so much more. And I thank her parents for sharing her story.
Personally, I'm glad the story wasn't preachy, but provided a more realistic point of view. Would spiritual guidance have offered them more peace, and/or better selections than what they have made. I sincerely doubt it. The love they share as a family come shining thru like a bright laser beam of light, cutting right thru to your heart, leaving an imprint that will not soon go away. Though you know how the story ends, you still want to read thru it, even if only an entry at a time. I couldn't count the number of times I would read a little bit, and then sneak peaks at the beautiful girl on the back cover. I tear up now just thinking about it.
I, for one, am glad that I bought this book. It's very powerful lesson and sometimes we need that slap in the face to tell us to stop and smell the roses. Take a moment...reflect on Elena...than go out and better you're life. There's a world of possibilities and little Elena is at the door showing you the way.
A difficult read but worth it! November 16, 2009
Prissy (Woodbridge, VA USA)
This was the most difficult book I ever read. I had to put the book down a few times so I could wipe away my tears and blow my nose. To read about a child suffering like that was heartbreaking. I gave the reviewer a piece of my mind that scored the book low because it wasn't "spiritual" enough. God doesn't fit into this. I hate when people blame diseases on God. There's so much cancer now because of the food we eat and the chemicals in all our land, water and air. Its humans that's causing our kids to be born defective not God. Just my opinion. This disease is a genetic disorder of some sort that affects only about 250 kids a year. Considering the population that's very low that's why there's no cure. Enough people have to care to find a cure. I pray for all the families afflicted with this disease and I cried for Elena. RIP.
Every Parents' Nightmare November 9, 2009
Marysz (NJ United States)
Notes Left Behind is the story of six-year-old Elena Desserich's cancerous brain tumor and her family's struggle to understand, treat and ultimately accept her terminal diagnosis. The book is written in a day-by-day journal form, mostly by Elena's father although there are occasional entries from her mother. The journal was intended for Elena's younger sister Grace to read when she is older. But Elena also left behind her own messages to her parents and Grace in the form of drawings filled with messages of love. Elena and her family's story is heartbreaking. This is an extremely touching book that makes us realize what a blessing our ordinary, untroubled days truly are.
 Notes may not be what you think... November 9, 2009
Joan Johnson (WC, OH USA)
I had a preconceived idea in my head that NOTES LEFT BEHIND was going to be a tear-jerker story about a young girl's fight with cancer. Instead, what I found was a touching, honest journal written by two parents whose lives and hearts were devoted to their two daughters, one of whom fought a valiant fight against a brain tumor. This is a record of their lives during that struggle, but it a record of strength, love and legacy. There's rarely a "poor me" moment in the book, but rather the journal looks at the gift of life, the precious moments shared, and the strengths they found that perhaps they didn't know they had.
This book does not just tell you of the Desserich family story, but contains lessons to all parents and grandparents on how precious our children are and how quickly they can be taken away.
Showing reviews 1-5 of 33
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