Dear Dr. Remen-
Your books have nurtured my heart gently. Saturday I heard you speak of being faithful on the Graedons' radio program. I've been thinking of how many ways we can be faithful, and all of them are blessings.
Today I am building bird houses. It gives me great joy to be so useful!
Ed Sutton

Will you have any future talks for laypersons in the Seattle, WA area? I've always enjoyed them, as well as your books and tapes--learn so much from them. I wish you Happy Holidays and World Peace in the New Year. Blessings--Jenny

Dr. Remen....greetings from Oklahoma City. I am trying to get some information to you - so you will be receiving a letter at the Mill Valley, CA p.o. box as well as a fax to your address asking for speaking requests.

so you may be getting all kinds of mail from me - all saying the same thing! Happy Hannukah, with love, from Oklahoma City.

Dear Rachel,
The first time I read "Godfather´s blessing", I had just break up with a man who I loved much. Some friends indicated me lectures to learn how to deal with this situation, but once I was in the bookstore, your book come into my hands and when I read the Inroduction I was sure that it was just what I need. Tha last thing I wanted, that time, was to red about love. I need something to fill in my soul, something about live. And I as read page by page, I felt my soul healing, I could feel the blessings come back to my life. I know it may sound selfish becuse I wasn´t suffering from a serious desease, it was just a suffering of my heart and soul. And when I finish the book, I was recovered totally.

Thank you so much for share the blessings of your grandfather with the whole world. I could feel them and I´ll always remember that history and now I always indicate your book to everyone.

May God bless your dayly life!

With love,
Monica

I spoke at the United Methodist Women's Christmas Party last night in Chattanooga TN. I shared two of your Chapters from My Grandfathers Blessings, The Gift and The Wise Man, along with my own personal Christmas memory from 1948. The women loved your stories and mine, too. So thanks for your wisdom and sharing.

As a bereavement coordinator in hospice care, I have benefitted greatly from the inspiring themes in your writings. Reading My Grandfather's Blessings brought me back to the stories of my Gram, who was the light and touchstone of my childhood-early adulthood. I connected strongly with the notion you expressed of wonderment at how you will still be seen and be visible after your Grandfather died. I have had to make peace peace with this in the 6 years following my Gram's death and it has been a major part of my grieving. Thank you for your words and loving presence in the world today.

i have just had the pleasure of reading your bks...grandfather's blessings and kitchen table wisdom. to say they were highlights of my reading days would be an understatement. to say that you are a "gift" to this world would be an understatement, to say that you are more of an angel is how i feel. your wisdom and insight into the human heart and soul is profound.what you have given to us, the public[who have read your books], cannot be measured. i feel so blessed to have had the privelage to be a part of your past, your early days as an intern and your bravery to go out on a limb at times when it was not "the thing to do nor was it appropriate for the times". you have given all of us courage and reminded us of how much we all can offer, no matter where we are in life. i am sooo thankful to god for who you are and what you give to every soul crossing your path. may you be enriched and blessed in everything you do. blessings carole coler dark

During the time my daughter was very ill with anorexia, Bipolar and in the midst of changing her bipolar medications....besides G-D..the only thing that kept me through was reading a chapter a day of your book..my Grandfather's Blessings...how it saved my life, made me a better human being and enriched my very being. I am now reading, Kitchen Table widsom...how I miss my family sharing stories about Momma telling me about her Mom and Dad from Russia and all they went through...I have been healed by so many of your stories and by the patients you speak of. Thank you for seeing me through these rough times. Karen Renee Mangham

Please add me to mailing list

I just came back from the bioneers conference in Bozeman, and Rachel Remen's speech was one of the highlights for me. Thank you for working to connect the mind and body, people and the Earth, each one of us with the divine spirit of oneness.

I've read both Kitchen Table Wisdom and My Granfather's Blessing. They were incredibly heart warming and insightful. I look forward to attending one of your workshops.

Dear Dr. Remen,
Your book, Kitchen Table Wisdom first prompted me to buy it several years ago since it dealt with the subject of Crohn's disease. A subject that was close to my heart, because I have been dealing with Crohn's disease since I was a teenager. I am now 36. After reading this book, it became one of my favorite books to read, becasue it carried with it wisdom that I have always been a seeker of.

I am writing to you today, because I would like to work with you in some way. I would love to help assist, work with you on a different book research and do any behind the scenes work. I am a St. Cloud State social work graduate that interned at the Crohn's & colitis Foundation of America, Minnesota Chapter. I than became a treasurer. I have dedicated my life to working in the medical field. I would like to continue to do some project to help people cope and deal with illnesses.

Since, you are an author that I have admired most in the line of inflammatory bowel disease, I would like to brain storm any idea on how we could work together to make a difference in people's lives. This April, I spent 22 days in the hospital with a perforated bowel. I came out of this experience wanting to put more passion into creating a meaningful life that will help others. I hope that together we can make that impact I feel so strongly about.

I can be reached at 612-840-9006 or by mail at: 4320 20th Street North, St. Cloud, Minnesota 56303.

Sincerely,

Deborah E. Lee

P.S. When I was in the hospital, someone who did not know I am a big fan yours, was thrilled to deliver me a book they thought I knew nothing about. Of course, I did. It was yours.

Dear Dr. Remen,

Thank you for your books. I learned about you from a radio show that I did NOT want to listen to, but a dear friend prompted me to do so. In the last ten years, I have lost my husband to depression, my two best friends to terminal illness, and my health. These experiences has pushed me to contemplate many of the things you write about. I appreciate your point of view, your way of looking, and the validation I experience. Thank you.

Dear Dr. Ramen,

Thank goodness you provided this means of communicating with you.

I understand that you have Crohn's disease. I want you to know that a Prof. of Gastroenterology at Penn State, Jill Smith, MD, discussed a safe and effective treatment for Crohn's at this year's Digestive Diseases Week in L.A. in May. As a result, the NIH gave her a 0.5million dollar grant to continue her studies in a Phase II clinical trial. The medication is NOT an immunosuppressant. Finally, Medicine is awakening to the fact that all autoimmune diseases are marked by an underlying weak immune system. The medication is simply a 4.5mg capsule of low dose naltrexone (LDN), taken each night at bedtime.

LDN is not a brand medication, it's an off-label use of the old 50mg naltrexone for heroin abusers, which is off patent and generic. The low dose blocks the opioid receptors for just a few hours while you're asleep and in response the body doubles/triples its production of endorphins. These, in turn, orchestrate a strengthening of the immune system.

LDN has halted the progression of every autoimmune disease for which it's been used. And, with NO toxicity & no significant side effects! At the experienced compounding pharmacies listed on my website, LDN's cost is anywhere from $15 to $30 a month.

Do read the details on my website: www.ldninfo.org.

Wishing you the best,

David Gluck, MD
212-734-5109

P.S. - Be sure to call or write with any questions.

Dr. Remen,
Thank you. Simply but surely. Your insights have helped me to view my own chronic illnesses in a way that is less shameful. I was FULL of shame! I felt that I had lost big chunks of myself since my diagnosis but am working my way towards a new perspective thanks to your representations of "wholeness" and healing.
-DW

Dear Dr. Remen,
I saw you speak back in the early 90's at the Sagamore Inn on lake George as a guest of Dr. Jim Pride. I had recently lost all my hearing and just had cochlear implant surgery. My husband Dale had a dental practice in Florida and was a participant in Dr. Pride's Insdeleteute. You talked to me for a while and I felt a connection that I had not felt in many years---deafness is very isolating. I still suffer from serious bouts of wht I call "disconnection" but am constantly working on myself and your books are still well thumbed by my bedside.
We sold the Florida practice and moved to beautiful NW Montana where we are very happy and are entering our phase of life where we think about retirement and our empty nest life.
Just wnated you to know how you touched our life.... Gayle

Dear Dr. Remen,

Thank you. Thank you for doing for grown-ups what Robert Coles does for children. Thank you for hearing the call of stories.

Long ago and far away someone advised me I’d like your book, Kitchen Table Wisdom. I bought it. And I let it sit on the shelf. There it sat for years…getting ripe…

This spring I was liberated from my job and I subsequently engaged in a massive household uncluttering. I saw your book and I thought to myself “I’m not reading this. It’s time for me to give it away…” Just then I heard from yet another friend about how well your work fits with my calling. I did read it, and I’m glad. So many images have stayed with me.

I am a firewalker and I had planned to organize and facilitate a firewalk on the 14th of October. Fortunately, my co-facilitator is unavailable for the present…Browsing your web page, I was delighted to discover that you have a workshop for physicians on that day. I am so looking forward to meeting you, writing a mission statement and getting my fledgling geriatrics practice off on the right foot.

Namaste

Hi Dr.Remen,
I had the pleasure of meeting you this past week at the Fairmont Temple in Ohio to hear you speak. I would like to personally Thank You for a beautiful, heart rendering presentation that I really NEEDED to hear at this time in my life's work. I was truly Blessed by your inspirational speaking and the chance to meet other individuals who like myself "Get IT." :) It is extremely hard when peole like us GET It in a world that appears not to care or understand what our purpose in life truly is and how we are "Divinely Inspired" to respond to our Vocation/Calling in life. I know in my heart that I am doing God's work on a daily basis and that I have been called to do so. Lately though it has been a Rough Ride and I am attempting to "ride the storm" and carry on with His work. Thank You So much for making me feel like I belong to a special group of wonderful people who are doing what God wants from them with Love, Compassion, and Dedication. By the way it was by accident that I read the ad in the Cleveland Plain Dealer and that this was the first inservice I attended alone outside of Cuyahoga County Board of Mental Retardation's regularly scheduled inservices that I often feel lacking in many respects. I REALLY DO BELIEVE THIS WAS NO ACCIDENT :) as I am sure you would agree!!! Be Blessed and Carry On. Your parents, grandparents, and family should be PROUD of your work and accomplishments. I graduated from College last August (too 30 years) and am considering a Master's of Pshology to become a counselor. Not bad from someone who NEVER liked school LOL. I was there not to learn but for the "social intteraction" with others :)
Thank You Again,
Patti Purpura

Hey Rachel,

I've been reading Kitchen Table Wisdom in individual sittings over a period of months. I just finished How We See One Another.

I've had diabetes for fifty years. Your chapter just made it clear to me why I so detest going to see most medical practicioners... because they only see the disease; and I can't get any attention. I'm still here, and somehow, we ought to be celebrating that!

My company, the Fusion Group, builds corporate cultures through training, consulting and counseling executives. Much of the basic work is about teaching people to compose and tell their stories.
We find that "professionals" of any kind experience the same loss of personal connection that seem so prevalent with medical folks. And our contribution is to try to re-unite the body, mind and spirit of the business people we serve.

Over a lifetime of dealing with "health professionals," I am convinced that the work you are now doing is absolutely spot on! Congratulations! Keep up the great work and the great storytelling! I hope to work one of your students!

I'd like to meet you one day, and be of help if I can.

Best Regards,


Jennifer St. John
Chairman
The Fusion Group

Dear Doctor Remen, my daughter first gave me MY GRANDFATHER'S BLESSINGS and after I read it I immediately ordered KITCHEN TABLE WISDOMS. These books are never far away from me and I go back to parts of them all the time.
These are truly stories that heal and I do share these books with others who might benefit from reading them, but I always order new ones right away since I won't be without them. I am 61 and I wish I could have found these books when I was younger, although I am not sure if they would have meant as much to me at a younger age. I have been searching spiritually and your writings have opened up a new direction for me, and I would like to thank you for that! Personally I feel that your books should be required reading material for anyone going into the medical field. But maybe not all of them will have the inner strength to become involved with their patients like you do. I do believe that is a special gift.
Thank you for sharing and giving so much of yourself.
Ellie

Dear Dr Remen- My name is Jill and I am a 32 year old woman living in Plymouth, MA. I was diagnosed with Crohns disease two weeks ago (after multiple surgeries and drains which I was told were appendix related). I have spent the last 14 days in the hospital on IV nutrition awaiting surgery this Tue(8/22) for a bowel resection and fistula removal. It has been a lot to take in at once and I found myself deeply depressed and scared. However, a good friend of the family brought me your book "Kitchen Table Wisdom." I have read it cover to cover twice and it has really helped me through this journey. I am still very nervous about the upcoming surgery but whenever it seems like too much I re-read select stories from your book. It was also helpful knowing that you have been through a lot of the same issues. Thank you so much for writing this book. Your wisdom and insight is something that I will always cherish.
Jill

You have touched my heart. I am going now, to set about changing my life. I will count on more of your words along the way. Thank you. Chelle

Dr. Remen, all my life, when people would ask me who I looked up to and who I would want to meet if I had the chance, I was always blank...I always felt funny because everyone always seemed to have someone they would have been excited to meet and I never did. However, you have remedied that for me! I loved your books My Grandmather's Blessings (which was lent to me by my counselor after having breast cancer, and Kitchen Table Wisdom. My grandfather was a very important part of my life and I loved your relationship with your grandfather. I loved your stories and was sad when I read the last one. Thank you for your writings. They have meant a lot to me and if I were ever given the chance to meet you, I would be so excited! Kathy

Dr. Remen, just got pics of baby hippo and tortoise- please
let us know how to get the photo's of the beautiful pair-
have relative who is wildlife advocate and donates to
different charities- my relative is 83yrs old and does not
want to bother with the new age computer/ data/ info-
please let us know how we can obtain the pics as seen
on our e-mail from "BABY HIPPO"- we will send money- love,pi

Dear Rachel,

I have enjoyed reading the comments of the people in your guestbook. Like many them, I have both of your books which I have read and reread. My copies are worn and falling apart. I also always carry one of them with me whereever I travel. Somehow, your stories bring light and joy into my heart. Thanks.

In the Bibical accounts there is a story about a woman who was seriously ill. She believed that if she could just touch Jesus that she would be healed. While Jesus was talking to a crowd, she went up behind and touched the hem of his garment. Immediately, she was healed. I think in some way, our emails provide a sort of contact, or point of touch with you that
meets that same sort of need.

...and, Like most of the people who write you, what I would really like would be to sit with you on your balcony of your home on Mt. Talmapais and watch the deer in your rose garden..or what's left of it.

L'Chiam

Mack