Dear Rachel,

We just finished reading "My Grandfather's Blessings." Our 17 year old Colorado granddaughter, Emmy, gave us your lovely book for Christmas. Thank you so very much for sharing such a wealth of wisdom in this very personable and readable way. During our 54 years of marriage we've developed the pattern of reading outloud. In so many of your jewels you separate as chapters, your "punch line" jars the emotions when the reader realizes what's ahead. It's a good thing the tissue box was nearby!

As folks in our mid seventies who've spent our lives in service mainly through caring ministries with the Protestant Church first in Hong Kong during the 60's when refugees poured across the border and then in many places in the States through pastorates, we appreciate the wide scope of your understanding through your own path of service. We lived in the San Francisco area just 15 years ago, Alvin an adjunct professor at the San Francisco Presbyterian Seminary and also at the GTU. During that time we became acquainted with Tibetan Buddhism through Barbara's "boss", Barr Rosenberg who has a retreat in Marin County. As we shared our lives with many unique people, we felt so very blessed to be able to do so without reserve and prejudice.

And, just the last two years here in Texas after Barbara was diagnosed with first stage breast cancer, we've met the most wonderful people - those who care so well for the patients, and those who bear the "burden" of illness with serenity and dignity - and many, yes, with joy!

THANK YOU, Rachel, for WHO you are - and for the care and friendship you've given to so many through all these years. Keep writing for the rest of us!

In God's even greater love, perhaps the greatest Mystery of all, Alvin and Barbara

Hello Rachel,

Do you know of any medical schools in the US that offer curriculum focused on utilizing meditation, relaxation, and yoga for the treatment of health problems?

I will be applying to medical soon and in preparation for applying, I am researching which medical schools' philosophies resonate with my passions and interests. In doing so, I have learned about your work and insight into considering patients' hearts, minds, and bodies.

Thank you for your time.

Best,

David Sholtes

Dear Rachel,

Just found a list of "rules" I learned from you.

1) Show up
2) Pay attention
3) Be honest
4) Don't get attached to the results

Thinking of you with much love and hoping all is wonderful and well in your world!

Cheers,
Taylor
Former ISHI Program Associate

Dear Dr. Remen,

Thank you for sharing your wisdom. You are a role model for those who wish to inspire others, and I hold your work in the highest regard.

Linda Rachel,
Former Director of Programming for Wisdom Media

Bless you Dr. Remen!

Your work has been helpful and inspiring to me for years. Just now
discovered your website.
Also want to thank you for calling a deceased friend of mine (Rev. Joe Willis) about 6 years ago upon the request of his daughter. Your work
was cited at his memorial service and KitchenTable meant alot to him.

warm regards,

Rene

Dear Dr. Remen, thank you for empowering me to live life to the full!
I hope and pray that we will meet one day.
Kind regards.

Hello Rachel, What a wonderful friend your grandfather was to you, giving you the seed of courage to go against so many conventions! What timing and blessing your words have been to me! Your wisdom carries right across the world! Thanks and God bless you!

Hi, Dr Remen. I am a physician interested in learning more about spirituality and healing. I plan on attending the workshop in Oct. Are there other workshops/readings or resources you would recommend as well?

Looking forward to meeting you. Thank you.

After 3 difficult years ,(a lost rebellious son, a daughter giving a baby up for adoption, feeling like I failed in my most important role), I thought I knew what grief was, until 3 months ago, my husband had an accident which has left him paralyzed from the waist down. The grief at times has felt like a heavy leaded blanket over my heart...Your stories are balm to my wounded soul. The power of love and truth in your book is helping to restore my hope that living will again feel worth it. I am a passionate Christ follower, and yet I feel a sweet kinship with you, and I believe it comes from the God revealed in you. You are a bright, warm light. Bless you, and thank you

Just finished your book and am most grateful for your words of wisdom. My brother is suffering with cancer and I have many points of reference now as a result of your writings. Thank you for sharing your story. I am thrilled to have this opportunity to share in your thoughts through the book.
In awe of you,
Carol Silver

Good Evening Dr. Remen,
My cousin from Hawaii shared with me how fascinating it was to attend one of your conferences. I started reading Kitchen Table Wisdom and thought wow, you are amazing! I am a Co-Coordinator for a Special Needs team at a Denver Head start and Sewall Child Development Center. I would love if we could chat. We are doing a workshop on Conversational Cafe next month with our staff and I was telling our Director today how I was reading your book. I would love to hear from You
Aloha,Sharon
'Sha

Dear Rachel, Thank you for Kitchen Table Wisdom and the Blessings of My Grandfather!! Reading those wonderful stories of Life Shared gave me a deeper appreciation for myself and for all those who have touched my life. I saw me and so many aspects of me.. all moving toward fullness. I loved the sense of seeing the 'Not Yet" in all of us.. Your warmth, honesty, and compassion came flowing through the pages!! Thank You!

What a wonderful book!!! I just finished reading Kitchen Table Wisdom. I couldn't put it down! Thanks so much!

to heal is to letgo of all that is not you, i could not agree more, thats what M.E taught me, its an illness, or rather as i discovered a wrong view of myself, i have only just discovered you i find what i have read to be most inspiring, i hope this message finds you well, merekgnish merelgnernie may peace be with you at all times, Daz

I received your book kitchen table wisdom stories that heal as a Christmas gift from a lady that I don't even know and i have enjoyed reading it so far and have a long way to go before I finish it but so far it is a great book keep up the good work.

Meritta Thomas

My friend Molly Ulmen loaned me your book Kitchen Table Wisdom (she always knows exactly what to bring me) and I am just loving it, of course. Although my background is in business and finance, I spent several years working with Clark County, Washington and the Federal government on the Children's System of Care initiative, trying to make positive changes in the way mental health services are provided to children with severe emotional disturbances. I don't know how successful we were (my suspicion is that any changes we made didn't stick or weren't really positive changes) but I do know that it sent me down an entirely different road. Molly and I read passages from your book to each other - there's much meaning in there for us both. Thank you for your good work, thank you for shining a light that helps us see where it is possible to go.

Namaste,
Joe Cooke
www.joecooke.com

Dear Rachel,
I have been reading your book, Kitchen Table Wisdom and it has really been an inspiration to me during this tough economic time. I also have been suffering from some mild depression from going through menopause, and this book has lifted me out of the darkness. I am sure you know that you are a gift to the planet, but I want you to know that you have encouraged me, made me laugh, made me cry and helped me see the light at the end of the tunnel. I didn't realize how deleteed into the pity pot I had become, and now I just want to encourage others to see the light and not get stuck in the dark.

Thank you for writing this book. It is so deep, so powerful, so enlightening. I am going to share some of the stories with my friends...and pass them along in emails to encourage those that need a bright spot in their gloomy day...

You are amazing!
Aloha from Maui
Lisa Mascaro
140 Uwapo Road, 48-103
Kihei, Hawaii 96753
808 870 3166

Should you ever come to Maui, I would love to meet you and take you to dinner and show you my incredible island.

Aloha Dr. Rachel - I heard your interview on NPR and my 31-year old daughter has Crohn's and she just called me tell me that she had to call the ambulance because of pain from her strictures due to her past two surgeries and abdominal adhesions. I am moving from HNL to PHX in February to be there for her. Do you have recommendations for her diet or anything else concerning her chronic illness and how have you dealt with your Crohn's - do you suffer from complications of the adhesions and are you taking any meds? meds?

Hi Rachel:
I just finished your book Kitchen Table Wisdon. Have never been so moved by a book before!! Worked as a chaplain for 16 years in mental health..retired now but still journeying in spiritual care and hospice care with folks. What a privilege. Doing education with volunteers and will look at your video resources to use. God's Blessings to be continually showered upon you. Shalom, Marline Wruck

Mar

I am legally blind. When I was a child I had a wonderful optometrist by the name of Dr. Ernst M. Gaines.
Technically he was the best. Much more importantly he was a true healer. He made one feel so special. I would wakl into his office being scared that I was losing morre sight. In the process of providing the standard care he also provided a gift of encouragement.
Each accomplishment or attempt was viewed as being a wonderful and great thing. He was just not saying "Nice Job" he really menat it from his heart.
I can remember walking out of his office floating on air ready to press forward and continue to the best that I could.
I am currently a systems deleteysis. From time to time when I need a boost, I think of Dr. Gaines and I am back on cloud 9.
Thank-you Bill Unsworth

I appreciated your recent interview on NPR. Your insights struck a cord with me in particular on how living life with a chronic disease [Crohns] can be a motivating force in ones life. As I share this experience with my 91 year Father, 80 year old maternal uncle and 63 year old brother I was immediately inspired to recommend your work to my 87 year old Mother who has arguably been the ringmaster of a life adventure which parallels the wisdom you convey.

My daughter called and shared info about you. I have a brain tumor. I would love to set in on a class or a discussion.....I am probably ready for some major therapy right about NOW!!! At the end of 2007 my husband was diagnosed with advanced melanoma. In 2008 he tested negative to all follow up procedures, we celebrated 40 years of marriage and my daughter is newly pregnant...for twins. Life is good! Our health continues to be a challenge. I look forward to buying your bookMy Grandfathers BLessings. Happy Trails, Debra

Dear Rachel
I got up this morning feeling a bit low within myself. Then while driving to work I had a local radio station on which I usually never listen to. I was listening to your "A Return to Wholeness: Storytelling as a Healing Art" from Bioneers. It really lifted me up and touched my heart. Thats how it feels beeing blessed by a stranger! Thank you. With love and light. Chris

Dear Rachel

I have just finished reading My Grandfather’s Blessings. While I found much of it absolutely exquisite, my heart was often heavy for you - having so much, yet not having the Messiah Jesus in all His fullness. As on page 366 you suggest we may be thankful for people telling us we are off course, I am encouraged to write to you. And as on page 374 you note that God Himself does the things that are really important, especially leading us into freedom, I want to urge you to consider Yeshua in detail. Could I invite you to read the New Testament with a wondering heart?

With love
Wendy Chatterton

Dear Rachel,
I came across your book, "Kitchen Table Wisdom", shortly after it came out. I liked the deletele and the cover was appealing. I have read it so often and highlighted so many parts that the book and I are old friends.
Thank you so much for sharing your stories, yourself, and your wisdom. And thank you also for sharing your grandfather in "My Grandfather's Blessings".
You have been very important to me through my faith journey.
God put you where you needed to be and He gave you to me.
Love and Prayers,
Patty Field