About the Book:
Dianna is a young woman in her late 20’s when she meets John, a man in his late 40's. They fall in love and marry. A central feature of their life plan is to have one child to fulfill her fervent lifelong dream of being a mother.
Not to be.
Not long into their marriage, Dianna discovers she has an aggressive form of breast cancer.
Hand in hand, they begin a 17 year spiritual journey into the nature of love and healing. Along the way, she discovers and fulfils her life purpose and, in the process, takes John by the hand, gently helping him to reveal, then fulfill, his own.
In the beginning, John, being much older, thought he would be her teacher but gradually discovers in the most important dimensions of life quite the opposite is true. With Dianna’s guidance, he ultimately discovers we are all teachers, we are all students and we are all one.
Theirs is a story of courage, determination and a lightness of being, as they descend into the deepest valleys of crushing disappointment, pain and suffering only to rise again to ever higher peaks of appreciation, gratitude and love. Throughout it all, their journey is laced with light and laughter.
Even today, after her passing, they continue their relationship, piercing the Illusion that veils this reality, exploring its limits while continuing a spiritual journey without end.
About the Author and Wife Dianna:
After spending his youth doing cement construction work while getting his education, John Catenacci earned a Bachelor’s degree in chemical engineering. He went on to work on the Apollo 11 Project as a member of the USAF in California, then as an engineer for the Dow Chemical Company in Midland, MI, doing both process research as well as designing and building chemical plants.
Mid-career he became interested in group dynamics, leading to another 20-year career in team building that took him across the U.S., Canada, Europe and Saudi Arabia.
With a sprinkling of published short stories and articles in small magazines along the way, his abiding passion has always been writing, something now coming to fruition in this, his first book.
My Review:
Dianna’s Way by John Catenacci ISBN: 978-0-985247-90-4Book starts out with John meeting Dianna and getting to know one another. Very silly times at the very beginning-how he chose his parents.
They discuss religion and how it has helped guide them in the direction their lives have taken them.
Love what she does at the wedding with the stained heirloom placemat, such caring! Love how he surprises her at the end of the day.
Their early life together goes on with everyday normal things and some not so normal as they grow together over time.
Book is not only broken up into chapters but larger sections with dates enclosed. Like smaller chapters and they stay true to their headings.
The sections broken up by dates also tend to keep you on track with the storyline.
It's now 1990 and she's discovered a lump in her breast. This section is where after surgery she does get a second opinion, wish I had done that but I was so anxious to get it out of my body.
We learn about everything she and John go through as the time when she makes her decision as what to do. She has many wig stories and continues to work missing just hours on her schedule every so often.
Love how the story tells of all he does for her from his perspective and then we hear from her side.
Things are looking up as John gets a new job, and they agree to relocate, build a new house and Dianna can work anywhere with her career.
Love how they celebrate the different holidays in their new house and the quiet peace of sunset on the lake in the summer months.
Next section is discovering a lump under her arm and they go into defend mode once again to combat the problem.
Glad to learn of the drugs used and the many many forms of breast cancer there really are.
Love the pictures along the way.
Next part is keep on smiling along the way...
Besides learning all about breast cancer we are also able to follow John's career and how things have changed since he joined...
Love how finding her religion helps her to teach her granddaughter about charity and what a huge part it plays in her happiness and outlook in life..
Wow never knew this much about the drugs, their names and all the side effects.
Wish there was more dialog, when she's with her friends for support or she gives them support.
Love the detailed descriptions of the places overseas, stunning!
Like how John deals with all the medical things and everyday life...
Such a powerful, passionate, tearful, sorrowful, heartwarming story, thanks for sharing John.
Price: $16.95
Format: paperback
Pages: 365
Publisher: Spiritdogtalking
Release: December 14, 2012
Book Buy Links at the bottom of page: http://www.diannasway.com/
a Rafflecopter giveaway
1 comment:
Julie, thanks for your in-depth review of John's book. We appreciate it!
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