Endorsements
“In this lovely, thoughtful series of meditations on what the author calls the ‘simple yet sacred’ moments of our lives, Charlene Costanzo
calls upon the beauty of the natural world outside ourselves as well as the quiet wisdom that lies within us, offering strength and healing. This book is a gift of peace and comfort for all readers.”
—Reeve Lindbergh, author of multiple books including Two Lives and Under a Wing
“The Twelve Gifts from the Garden is a joyful read bursting with the beauty of nature and reflections of lessons learned in life. I have been a fan of Charlene Costanzo’s daily emails and books for many years. Most mornings, reading her reflections gives me goosebumps because they are like having a cup of coffee with God. They are what I would imagine God would be saying to me in that moment because Charlene’s reflections would be in line with what I prayed the night before. This is a wonderful book to gift yourself and others!”
—Gina La Benz, author of Anchor Moments: Hope, Healing, and Forgiveness
“From the very first paragraph, I felt my spirit stirred—like when you don’t know how thirsty you are until that first sip of cool water.
Instantly, I was transported to an enchanted island to experience insightful gifts alongside the author. Her prose is as soothing as the scenes she describes. Charlene will renew your wonder and gratitude for our beautiful earth, and for the gifts and lessons available to us
all when we’re mindfully watching.”
—Angela Howell, author of Finding the Gift: Daily Meditations for Mindfulness
“After reading The Twelve Gifts from the Garden, I may never pass a plant again without feeling a nudge toward reflection and introspection. In this book, Charlene gently reminds us to live more mindfully, to be present in the moment, to not worry about our
harvest but to focus on how we plant our seeds. She does this by sharing lessons prompted by experiences in a beautifully described garden. Throughout the book I felt myself commiserate, empathize, and celebrate with her in her disappointments, struggles, and triumphs. Charlene skillfully comforts and soothes the reader, while at the same time challenging us to think differently and learn more from nature, particularly about how to use the innate qualities she calls the Twelve Gifts. I didn’t want the book to end, and I know I
will read it again and again.”
—Adrienne Falzon, author of The Search for the Perfect Shell, What is an Angel?, Selfish Sally, It’s Not Fair!, and Live Like Paul
“Just as the waves of the sea ebb and flow, so do the currents of our lives. Charlene Costanzo’s The Twelve Gifts from the Garden with its stunning imagery and poignant recollections, reminds us to savor the pleasures and discoveries of the day, the healing power of nature, and the joy of connection—to oneself and others.”
—Maryann Ridini Spencer, award-winning screenwriter and bestselling author of Lady in the Window and The Paradise Table
“With the wonder of a child, the introspection of a mature woman, and the wisdom of the elders, Charlene Costanzo inspires us to discover the hidden treasures of nature as we make our way through this journey called life. In The Twelve Gifts from the Garden, her accounts of the blessings that she has gleaned from her journey move us to wonder. They arouse joyful anticipation of the blessings awaiting us on our own journeys. It is said that there are those who live in a constant state of amazement. This clearly describes Charlene Costanzo and those who follow her lead.”
—Gloria Gaynor, singer, Grammy Award-winner
for “I Will Survive” and “Testimony” and author of
I Will Survive: The Book and We Will Survive:
True Stories of Encouragement, Inspiration, and the Power of Song
“The Twelve Gifts from the Garden invites us to see the beauty of Sanibel through the imaginative perspective of its author. While taking readers on a journey through lush tropical greenery, Charlene Costanzo offers parables of life and love that will last a lifetime. This is a lovely gift to give to oneself and to others.”
—Charles Sobezak, author of Living Sanibel: A Nature Guide to Sanibel and Captiva Islands,
The Living Gulf Coast, and Six Mornings on Sanibel
“This book is a feast, a dream, a wondrous adventure. Gift yourself with this exquisite collection of stories by Charlene Costanzo and you will feel transported from start to finish. Charlene is our gentle guide through inner and outer landscapes filled with meandering paths, curious questions, and colorful surprises. Along the way, you’ll meet black butterflies, beautyberry plants, pom pom palms—and, most importantly, your own inner garden. Our lives are fleeting gifts; Costanzo reminds us of this with every perfectly crafted sentence along this enchanting journey of a book.”
—Sherry Richert Belul, founder of Simply Celebrate and author of Say It Now:
33 Creative Ways to Say I Love You to the Most Important People in Your Life
"Reading The Twelve Gifts from the Garden brought me to a state of deep peace with a greater sense of well-being. Although I have not been to the botanical garden on the island, I have visited Sanibel several times. Between my own experiences on that sanctuary island and Charlene's descriptions, which I found to be reverent, vivid and whimsical, I felt virtually transported into the garden that inspires her. Her stories resonated with my own, stirred my hope and wonder, and inspired me to more deeply appreciate the natural world. What I find most satisfying in her writing is how she weaves together the qualities she sees in plants, with the natural resources in us, and her own life experiences in a way that comforts, uplifts, and encourages readers to pay attention to Mother Nature. Charlene, as did the ancient ones in the wisdom traditions, encourages us to take lessons from nature, to look beyond first impressions, to engage in the felt experience of how nature feeds, enriches, and nourishes us. Charlene helps us to think in a more contemplative way. She will inspire you to notice what resonates within you, to listen and feel for your own insights when visiting the green places around you. Her life-affirming messages are timeless and timely. This is a book I'll be gifting to others."