WHAT MOTHERS AND OTHERS SAY ABOUT THE TWELVE GIFTS OF BIRTH
Hi there. I appreciate your interest in The Twelve Gifts. The collection of Twelve Gifts books and events began with a painful realization, an epiphany, and an amazing dream, which eventually lead to the publication of The Twelve Gifts of Birth. The story about how the book came to be can be found in other places on this website. In this post I just want to share what some mothers and others have said about The Twelve Gifts of Birth.
When The Twelve Gifts of Birth was first released in 1999, the response to the book was amazing. Sales were strong. The book won many awards. And many readers wrote to praise the book, to share stories about how the book affected them, and to give examples of how they were using the book. In this post you can read a sampling of what readers said.
For the next year, I heard many more moving stories, in person. From 1999 through 2000, my husband and I lived in a motor home and traveled throughout the United States. The purpose was to discuss The Twelve Gifts with children and adults in schools, shelters, bookstores, prisons, places of worship, and many more venues. Frank and I both had a sense of mission about the book’s message, which is that every child, born anywhere at any time, is valuable and gifted with inner strength, beauty, courage, compassion, hope, joy, talent, imagination, reverence, wisdom, love, and faith. These birthright gifts can help every one of us respond wisely to life’s ups and downs, live in harmony with others, recognize and develop our talents, and use our abilities and interests to make a positive difference in the world.
I often think of the people we met during that tour. I wish I could know how things progressed as their life journeys continued. Perhaps some of us will connect again and I’ll find out. In the meantime, for all readers and users of The Twelve Gifts of Birth, from back then, through the past 20+ years, until now and into the future, I wish you the best of life’s gifts. Thank you for sharing The Twelve Gifts message with others. Thank you for using your gifts too! Especially now, in these changing and challenging times, let’s practice compassion and reverence and keep hope alive!
With love
Charlene
"These gifts are the wealth of the soul. I was moved to tears when I read it and recognized my own gifts and even more so when I read it to the children who have been labeled as hopeless. I watched their eyes brighten and their spirits lift as they heard the powerful gifts that lie dormant inside of them." - Momma Hawk, Founder, Recovering Gifted Child Academy
"Your book deeply touched my soul. It has such a meaningful and clear message of dignity and hope for us all." – Connie
"The children are still talking about your visit and the message in your book. You have made a lifelong impression." - Paula Knouse, KidsPeace
"I can't type for long. My six-month baby girl, Alexandra, is in the next room and I don't like to leave her alone for too long. She is hooked up to a ventilator. She just came home for the first time last week. She is a precious gift to me and my husband. I was just lying on the floor of her room, taking a nap with her on my chest. After a phone call woke us, I started reading to her. I was reading The Twelve Gifts to her and had tears in my eyes before I was done. I will continue to read it to her all her life, and probably will cry more. She is a strong and courageous baby girl, and has only begun to learn about all of her gifts. The book is a gift to us, and she is a gift to me, and will be a gift to this world, I am certain, as she grows. Thank you for this beautiful piece of art. The words are extremely meaningful. Continue to spread the message!" - Sincerely, Marisa
"I want to thank you for the wonderful gift that you have given me and other survivors of abuse. I fell in love with your book The Twelve Gifts of Birth the first time I saw it. I am currently in therapy working through the hurts of the past. Your book gives me the courage to continue therapy and it helps me to know I am special in many different ways. The page that begins 'At the wondrous moment you were born,' brings tears to my eyes EVERY time I read it. Thank you so much!!" – Liz
"I am a Parent Educator with the nationally recognized Parents As Teachers program. In April, the school district in which I am employed initiated a program at the Women's Eastern Reception Diagnostic and Correctional Center in Vandalia, MO....Last week I read your book to all three of my classes there...the ladies sat enthralled as I read. When I looked up after reading the book I could tell by the look on their faces how moved many of them were by your words. A flicker of light as well as tears was seen in the eyes of several women. The book was then passed around. I noted that it was handled with extreme care. When I went back this week the most repeated questions were, 'Did you bring the book back? Will you have it next week?' I have a long list of moms who wish to purchase this book for their children." - Sandra Morrow
"When I read your book it gave me goose bumps." - Tonya
"I am a schoolteacher and feel that instilling a strong sense of self worth is one of the most important things I can do for my students. Your book helped me to do that this past school year. Before I read it aloud, I wondered if they would enjoy it as much as I had. Fifth graders, just beginning adolescence, are hard to predict. They were spellbound! - Gigi Dhindsa
"I will be using the Twelve Gifts in a Bible study class in Clearfield, PA. Please keep writing! I appreciate the value and importance of your work and look forward to seeing more of it." - Bill A.
"Had to share my experience after reading your powerful words. I was 7 months pregnant when I came across your book at a local Hallmark and thanks to your words and my hormones I found myself crying in the middle of the shop. Thanks for putting into words what all people are capable of." - Tracy W.
"The Twelve Gifts of Birth helped me to realize how valuable I am as a unique human being and then to realize that my children, my 9-year-old son and 4-year-old daughter, need to know how gifted they are." - Linda R.
"Your book touched me in a special way. I bought it for a dear friend who spent years trying to conceive. She now has a beautiful daughter and I wanted to give her a special gift. I did - your book. It has a message that is imperative for every child to know. If they did, the world would be a better place." - Tracy K
"You are someone making a difference in a small but huge way! - Kris F
"I heard you speak in Freehold, New Jersey. I run a domestic violence and child abuse program for the Navy. I recently read your book to a group of mom's in the Navy. They loved it." - Pamela Schott, LCSW
"I love the picture in your book of small rocks...when my sixteen year old daughter was diagnosed with Hodgkin's Disease I felt as though my life was fractured. Nine years of chemotherapy, radiation and surgery were a success. We fought. We won. Small steps, one by one, often minute by minute taught us NEVER, NEVER, NEVER give up! Thank you so much - what you are doing is beyond measure." - Aileen K.
"You and your wonderful book have given me the strength to pursue my dreams!!" - Misty G.
"Your book was introduced to me when I needed it most." - Joy D.
"Thank you for the strong message that gives so many of us great inspiration to see ourselves in a different light!" - Traci S.
"Your book not only has a place in my home, but has been shared with brothers and sisters, nieces and nephews from New York to California!" - Ellen P
"It is wonderful to have such an inspiring work of literature to share with children." - Mike S.
"I'm so glad I saw you on AM Northwest. I'm looking forward to giving the book to my grown sons -- the message is for life -- and sharing it with my first graders." - Susan W.
"Thank you for reminding us that each of us is a gift and how exciting a world we walk through." - Diane S.
"Thank you for the wisdom, beauty, simplicity, hope and truth that your book brings. You are the fairy godmother who continues to bring gifts!" – Joan
"God has gifted you with a message we need so very much." – Diana
"I am so impressed with the message you are spreading. It gives me chills." - Deanie H.
"Your message will impact me for years to come." - Dawn S.
"I heard your interview on the radio and your ideas struck a chord in me as a teacher and as a parent". - Jan S.
"Yesterday I was browsing and fell in love with your book. I plan on giving it to my godchildren. I am not a writer and you've put my hopes and dreams for them so beautifully." - Jule L.
"You helped me look at my babies and love them and see their special gifts even more." - Katie C.
"I hope you will continue to lead others to be beautiful." – Tom
"Thank you for shining light into the darkness and reminding us of our dreams." – Beth
"What a gift you have for communicating God's love through the message of human worth. Blessings to you in your continued writing." - Karen T.
"I gained a great deal of inspiration from you." - Jeff M.
"Your message to the World in The Twelve Gifts is one that touches our hearts as readers immediately. It allows us to see something that deep down we already know. Thank you for the insight. Keep it coming!" - Christina J.
"I was inspired and motivated by listening to you. I'm already looking forward to your next book!" - Dr. Edith Coleman
"I recently lost my sister to cancer and a brother to an accident. I too have dreams about making a difference in the world and cherishing what is precious in my life. Thank you for making me remember my dreams." - Vicki A.
"The energy of your message shines through you." - Raymond P.
"The gift of faith was really tested by our family when our daughter developed cancer. I am giving the book to her brother who felt it was his fault because he had not prayed enough. He is now 38 years old. Thank you." - B. Stephens
"Someone very special to me told me the other day that his mother told him he was a 'mistake'. Can you believe it? Then yesterday I was listening to the news and heard about your book. Somebody knew I needed to hear about your message so I could share it with him. This is a 'must have' for everybody, for all ages." - Carol C.
"Your book certainly hits home with me, as I have a 15-year-old son with Down syndrome. Ever since he was born I felt that whatever I 'gave' him he would return to me two-fold and he has. Thank you for your wonderful book!" - Marianne H.
"I read about your book in the newspaper and knew I had to have it. I just read it and it is even more beautiful than I anticipated. Your words go right to the heart." - Julie W.
"Thank you for producing a book that can touch every person who reads it. I believe it will truly be a huge success." - Stacey G.
"Your book traveled from NC to Calif to NJ during a very emotional time for me. You are an angel to many." – Carole
"You have touched some people in ways you can not imagine." - Jove V.
"What started as an ordinary day at work turned into something far more valuable. I got to hear about your book, read your book and meet the author. It had an immediate impact." - Pat Gribbin, Chief News Photographer, WESH-TV
"What a beautiful book! The Twelve Gifts of Birth is a simple but powerful message. I intend to read it to children." - Wally Amos (Famous Amos)
Charlene is not the only one writing at book signing events. When she and her husband, Frank, started their journey across the U.S. to discuss The Twelve Gifts of Birth in every state, Frank got the idea to have readers write messages - whatever they wished to say - to Charlene while she was writing messages along with her signature into their books. Whenever one reader notebook was filled, Frank got another one for Charlene. The books filled with wisdoms, carings, dreams, and sharings from people throughout the US are a treasure.