Dear Rachel
You have given me strength to get thru the last 12 years of my life My husband Joel died in 1998. He was 51 and had been diagnosed with colon cancer. He went thru a terrible 2 month journey.
I found your books and listened to your tapes and felt I was not alone. Thank you. I heard you speak here in Cleveland. I wanted to thank you in person but felt I would be too emotional.
In my faith tradition I felt like I was in the presense of a saint and you truly have been one to me.
My God bless you and keep you safe

Dr Remen,I am working in Iraq,got the book "kitchen table wisdom" from the net and I am now"studying" it for the 2 nd time what a wonderfull enspiring and a absolute blessing!!! I am 54 and regret that I did not get my hands on it 30 years ago!
You are a inspiration and a wonderfull person and may God bless you and hold you in His loving arms.Thank You Thank Youfrom the bottom of my heart.

Dear Rachael, I "happened" to come across your book yesterday (My Grandfathers Blessings"after my 4th session of radiotherapy. Having had surgery followed by chemo, this is the next stage. I was feeling weak but needed to visit the bookstore. I know it was a Divine Appointment as your book is speaking deep into my soul and heart. Thank you so very much and I send you all blessings. My father was Jewish but I never knew his parents so have no experience of the loving thankful hearts, but I do try to thank God for all the things that He has blessed me with. I shall give many people a copy of your book(s). I know that God`s timing is perfect! Thank you .
with much love and gradeleteude.

I stumbled across My Grandfather's Blessings in a used book store one Shabbat, two weeks after my brother died of cancer. That moment 3 months ago, as I now can see, was the key to unlocking the mysteries of the "end-beginning" that I needed to move forward in life. Your two books of stories have been my guide to help bring understanding, meaning, and healing during a profound time of loss and learning. Thanks for your gift of words and soul.

Professor I'm a Chicano pre-med student that will enter UCI's PRIME-LC cohort in a couple of years and your words of wisdom complement my habits of the heart because I communicate peace love unity respect with my environment! Thanks and be well.

Read your books years ago. Pulled one off the bookshelf the other day. Just joined facebook and am trying to link all my favorite books and authors to my profile. Do you have an easy way of doing this. For those who have a facebook page it is fairly easy. I grew up in Marin County..first 10 years. Hike mtn Tamalpais. Campfire girls...maiden story...wonderful memory.

Almost a year to the day since posted my message here. That was just a short while before my darling husband died due to SCLERODERMA. I recently celebrated a birthday and was given the box set of KITCHEN TABLE WISDOM & MY GRANDFATHER'S BLESSINGS. It is now time to pass on my original KITCHEN TABLE WISDOM, a book that has given me such comfort, taught me something new each and every time I open it. I am looking forward to the gems in my new book. Thank you Rachel.

Dear Dr. Remen,

When I was diagnosed with PBC, I felt as if my world had fallen apart. Discovering your books has been a tremendous gift.
Perhaps your writings have a powerful meaning for me because you too have had to deal with pain and the side affects of an illness that drains one of energy.

I am grateful for the gift of your writings and how those words nuture my wounded spirit.

Dr. Remen,

I am having the extraordinary experience of helping my 84 year old father through pancreatic cancer. He was one of the lucky ones whose tumor was resectable, and is now in chemotherapy and radiation. I am surprised, amazed and grateful for the spiritual enrichment our family has found in my father's cancer journey.

Your book, Kitchen Table Wisdom, was recommended to me by the research specialist at the Martin O'Neil Cancer Center in St. Helena. Your words brought tears to my eyes, and comfort to my soul.

I graduated 15 years ago with a BA in Psycholgy, and a Minor in Holistic Health, and am getting ready to apply to either a MSW or Ph.D in Clinical Psychology program with a Health emphasis. I want to help the health care system help cancer patients. The words and lessons in your book have inspired me and given me direction.

Thank you for sharing your life with us. I hope you will find more to write about in the future.

P.S. If you ever need someone to "just sweep your floors", please let me know. I'd love to help!

I love your two books: Kitchen Table Wisdom and My Grandfather's Blessings. I use three questions you offered a client in one of the stories in MGB as a base for my journaling.

I try to reread them once a year or so just to ground me and remind me of the blessings all around and the intelligent intricacy of life.

Dr. Remen,

I just want to say how amazing I think you are. I have you on my list to hear speak and to meet some day. Many years ago when my Mom was dying of Cancer I read your book Kitchen Table Wisdom and I loved it so much it inspired me. I purchased the book for my Mom at the end of her life to read and she did. Now one year ago I lost my father of a massive heart attack. He was bigger than life and I miss him so. He was the former Sheriff of Marin County. Both My parents were very influential in my life and gave back to our Marin Community.

They taught me a lot about life and giving. I am truly blessed but miss them so.

I think I shall go back and read Kitchen Table Wisdom again. I am the co-chair of the Hospice By the Bay board and have shared your book there as well.

THANK you

Melissa Prandi
Marin Native......hope to meet you in person some day....

I would like to have a PDF file of your book, My Grandfather's Blessings to download on my Now Bible so that I can read your inspiring words often. Is it possible to access an eBook? Thank you for words to live by.

I am a 55 year ols man dying with asbestosis.I also have been a activist telling all who will listen to stay away from the Town that has killed me and three generations of my family...all by the same thing...Tremolite asbestos.My fight is comming to a end and I have come across something you wrote that IS ME and in my last days, I have used your words to take with me and I would like to know if I can put these words on my stone. The beginning starts like this: I have lived through things I would never have thought I was capable of, and I'm much less afraid than I use to be. Let me know please. $06 829 3917 God Bless you Rachel.

Dearest Dr Remen,

I have just recently lost my mother,I cannot begin to describe to you the comfort your books have brought me.
May you always be blessed in everthing that you do.
Warm regards,
Yael

Dearest Dr. Remen,
I am reading your inspiring book, Kitchen Table Wisdom. Although I am not quite done, I couldn't wait to look you up! Thank you for the wonderful stories that brought laughter and tears. I am currently working on my path to medical school. Due to past immaturity and some personal issues, I had let my grades slip. Right now I am applying to master programs that give people like me a second chance to take classes with first year med students. Over the years, I have embarked on many experiences that pushed me to grow and mature. I hope that one day I will be able to practice medicine from the heart, as you so deeply remind us to.

I see the stories that you write about in the hospital while volunteering, I have reminded myself to always give a minute or two of my time to those that need it. My favorite quote from you is "Medicine is healing. Even if there’s nothing left to do medically, there were still other things she could say or do that might matter, kind things, ways to be of help, its easy to forget."
I am deeply inspired by you, and so grateful that I have stumbled upon your book.

Wishing you the best,
Diana

I just heard your Speaking of Faith talk. When you described the "flaming mysticism" of your grandfather, I thought, "Doesn't everyone see and feel the world that way?" I have practiced bodywork and movement therapies for 20 yrs., and people tell me the most amazing stories, in words, with their movements. Into the space of listening, healing and wellness emerge in the most remarkable and unexpected ways. I look forward to learning more from you!

I just finished your book Kitchen Table Wisdom and ordered four copies to send to loved ones. Thank you!

Dear Rachel,

I just reread your Kitchen Table Wisdom book. It spoke to me
with such wholeness and truth. I loved it and your compassionate
thinking all over again.
Thank YOU for being a wonderful story teller.

Dear Rachel,
You will be happy to know that you have touched yet another life. I got inspired by the deep sense of acceptance and simplicity in your two books. I know now what I want the rest of my life to become. My best talent is to listen to people; they get the sense that they matter to me and this by itself is helping them cope with whatever their issues are. I want to be helping people, and now I know that I can and that I will.
Thank you for sharing your wisdom.

I am a practicing medical oncologist, perpetual student, and seeker. I have long believed in the mind body connection....and would like to learn more so I can bring more insight and possible treatment to my patients to help them battle cancer with all available resources.

Dear DR. Remen,

I was given you book as a gift and what a big gift it was! I'm an assistant principal in the town in which I live - small and rural. Sometimes my heart is very heavy carrying the burdens of the problems my students and their families face. Your book reminds me that I am not alone in my humanity. You are a terrific writer and it seems to me a phenomenal human being. I'd love to hear you speak sometime!!!!!!!

Thank you, thank, thank you. Our 14-yr-old daughter (G) received a diagnosis of Crohn's in August 09. Wise women sent me to your books. At the time of her diagnosis, G had already gained back 60 lbs. and was doing great; the MDs disagree now about whether it is even Crohns (it's 2 to 2), b/c she is flourishing (altho she may still have lesions). Last night I read your statement, "diagnosis is an opinion, not a prediction" for the 1st time. I have always tried to take the medical estalishment w/ a grain of salt, but when it's your child, it's harder to do that. My experience and your insight give me great hope for the rest of her life. Thank you, thank you, thank you.

Gradually, as the years have passed, I've awakened to the power of the stories in each of us. To be blessed with the opportunity to hear someone speak, to prod them with small questions about detail, to connect the dots of all of our lives is wonderous to me. Thank you Dr. Remen. The stories in your books and your ability to write them so beautifully are wonderous too.

I just happened upon your book "Kitchen Table Wisdom" in a second hand store. I am so impressed with it. I am not even finished, and really I dont want to be. It says so much to my heart. Thank you.

I just finished reading "My Grandfather's Blessings" and was thoroughly amazed. As I read it, I kept thinking of people I wanted to share a copy with because I just knew they could benefit from reading it. I was so moved by it. It is truly one of the most spritually enlightening books I think I have ever read. It makes me want to be a better person. Thanks for the blessings your book has given me and all the lives it will continue to touch.