Snapshots

With the help of snapshots, moments frozen in time, Cathy Sosnowsky relives her dark passage through a mother's worst nightmares: a painful illegal abortion followed by the loss of her daughter, Suzannah, who died shortly after birth; the accidental death of her beloved "gift child", Alex, at age 17; and the loss of her two adopted children, Michael and Tanya, each of whom, at age 14, turned to drugs, prostitution, and a life on the streets. Somehow, through her heartbreak, Cathy found a way to hold on, and, in some ways, to prevail. Her devastation at losing Alex gave rise to the published poet and to the healer who has helped countless bereaved parents all over the world. And through the crucible of suffering came unexpected rebirths -- being a grandmother to Ainsley, the baby she tried to talk Tanya out of having; her son Michael's transformation from criminal to successful international ESL teacher; and her marriage to Woldy, strengthened through trials that few couples survive. Although triumphant, "Snapshots" is not the story of a perfect human being. A major strength of this memoir is Cathy's honest account of her failings and challenges -- the times when a gin and tonic was the high point of her day; the times when she shut her adopted children out of her heart; the times when her grief consumed her so completely that suicide seemed like an option. "Snapshots" reminds us that a good life arises less from luck and more from finding ways to abide with, and perhaps transcend our misfortunes. It also reminds us that it is by her faith, persistence, and courage that a woman gives birth to what can never be lost -- herself. Cathy Sosnowsky's inspiring story proves Simone de Beauvoir's famous words: "One is not born a woman, one becomes one".