Thank you so much for your interest in Dr. Remen's work. Due to the amount of spam we have received here, we are temporarily closing down this guestbook to new entries. Please check back in the near future, when we will be able to reopen it and again welcome your comments. Thanks for you exist... I'll send my history in another chance. Bye, Rachel. Adelia Maria Guedes Cacapava, SP Brazil - Friday, January 14, 2005 at 12:41:25 (MST) Dear Dr. Remen, I am so grateful for your work and your books. I keep copies of your books in my desk, my den and my car. Often times, I give them away. I was wondering if you had seen the work of this physician: Dr. Janis Amatuzio. She has a book out titled: Forever Ours". As a pathologist, the work she has done with surviving members of the families, sounds strongly like the questions and stories which you raise for us. Thought you might like to know. Blessings, meh meh columbus, oh usa - Tuesday, January 11, 2005 at 06:50:20 (MST) I carry at least one of her books around with me and open it at random to center myself or to have a focus for the day. Needless to say her books look pretty ragged with me carting them around. But I don't mind. I came to read her books quite a few years ago after she was featured as a "soul guest" on Gary Zukav's website and by chance I happen to read the article by her. I have given several copies of her books as gifts. I teach English/Language Arts to Eighth graders and there are times when I need to remember my real purpose. Rachel has helped me on many a day with these struggling adolescents. She has helped me to appreciate the ways that they allow me to see their hearts and to know what a privilege that is. I feel such a strong connection to her --her warmth and wonderful honesty give her writing such strong voice. In fact, some of my favorite quotes from her books are hanging on my classroom walls. I also know that she has helped me to frame my life in a way that allows me to learn every day even as I serve as teacher. Tonight, as I tried not to panic because I am not ready for the holidays, by chance I thought I would see what was on her website. And there was the article about synchronicity and the angel ornament. Indeed,synchronicity restores us to ourselves. Thank you, Rachel. Barb Medveckus Tuckerton, NJ USA - Sunday, December 19, 2004 at 17:53:41 (MST) I tried to find and kill God because they said that He had taken my father away. I looked for 10 years to kill Him (and all the while He protected me in my journey). There was no road too dark or unique that I have not been down looking for God in anger and love. Recently, I shared a sacred mysterious moment being still with my mother's passing and waiting openly for her and God to make the decision. My life, as many, has been a long agonizing joyful journey for me...full of fear, pain, insecurity, hatred and anger AND awe, joy, peace, fullfillment, discovery, excitment, revelation, completion, suprise, new beginnings, twists and turns so marvelously created and intertwined that I am generally in awe. It gives me my own funny way of relating to the teenage language of "awesome", "radical", "whatever". I feel that I have come full circle now, realizing that I have always existed in the body of God as part of creation and there is no "where" to go. And now the full meaning of "sharing the mystery" is taking place. I am so deeply appreciative of you, Dr. Remen, sharing your intimate tales of personal growth, insights, strengths and truths of this great mystery of creation. I feel so blessed to have sat with you at your kitchen table and taken in your shared wisdom with tears streaming down and a smile as they rolled. I know the feeling of one tear rolling and even actually practiced one hand claping as I read your book...there is a distinct sound and sensation! Thank you so much! I feel validated connected, made whole by this shared commmunion/baptism/koan/rite of passage/doorway of love and wonder in sharing the mystery of now and peaceful appreciation of what is to come. You a living, loving blessing! In deepest warmest connectedness with you and all of creation, Rich Moore richmoore@jps.net Rich Moore Grass Valley , CA USA - Monday, November 29, 2004 at 20:12:28 (MST) What a book...I truly now think about things differently. I have something I would like you to consider, my business website is www.facesoncases.com and I design pillowcases, I would love to design pillowcase with your inspirations and thoughts and words. there are pictures on my website for your review. You can use as promotional items for your training programs for your physicians who wish to renew their commitment to service and practice with greater compassion. Please write soon, what a true hero you are, I reviewed your website...thank you. carol wrolstad, 623-434-l719 carol wrolstad glendale, az usa - Monday, November 15, 2004 at 17:09:32 (MST) I have read "My Grandfather's Blessings" and have just visited your website. You have surely been blessed by your grandfather and in turn, you have blessed the many people whose lives you have touched and the many people who have bought your books. How I wish there were other people in the world like you. My mother passed away in June from Metastasis (Bone Cancer). She was the most vibrant, graceful, energetic and positive human being on this earth. Within 6 months, she was reduced to a human being who had the ability to just think! Her pain and suffering was immense and her illness totally debilitating. But, there was no "Rachel" out there to give us a helping hand...there was no Rachel out there to say the words we so badly needed to hear and there was no Rachel to give us the compassion we desired. I feel so strongly about not having received a kind word, a blessing or simply the words as a daughter of mother who is dying.."How do you feel?" I also strongly feel that ALL DOCTORS no matter what they have specialized in, should first either complete a degree in Phychology OR go for therapy before becoming a Doctor. I substantiate my statement with regards to Oncologists bedside manner and the way in which they consult their patients. Surely there has to be some compassion in a Doctor's duty to his patients. One doesn't have become personally involved with the patient, but a kind word or a gentle touch is what a patient with Cancer needs most. I cannot quote all Oncologists or Doctors, but from my experience with Radiologists and Oncologists this is my assumption. Just as the patient suffers, so do the families of those patients and we need to be recognised and acknowledged as family. We need to be told the absolute truth...we need to be guided through the particular illness...we need the Doctor to put our fears in perspective. A family feels totally helpless at such a sad and traumatic time and Oncologists should definitely keep them clued up as to any improvements, side effects, knowledge, significant points and what to expect. As a loving daughter, I know in my heart that I could not do any more than I did and due to medication, my mother's life was extended initially for which I thank the Oncologist gracefully for his knowledge and dedication to his work...all I ask is a little humility, understanding and recognition when it is required. Being the person you are with the wisdom and experience you have, I would love to hear your comments and look so forward to reading many more books written by you. You have so much to teach us! I thank you for your grandfathers blessings because they now become mine too! Jill Steinberg Johannesburg, South Africa - Tuesday, November 09, 2004 at 07:19:23 (MST) You have changed the way I see things and engage life. As a physition said here so freely: I love you! I can relly feel your genuine presence in your books. I was introduced to you, by my psychologist. I had no idea how much I'd be changed by the experience, when she told me: "I have this book, Kitchen Table Wisdom. I'll bring it to you next week". Now that I've marvelled at and experienced your first adventure, I shall venture into the second one, which was also given to me by my psychologist. She deeply admires you as I do. There is no way I can possibly verbally express my gratitude and wae at the experience of having met you, through your storytelling. I know you have this great capacity of feeling. I will assume (and hope) you will feel my gratitude, love and admiration through these mere words that cannot begin to express a thing. I personally suffer from panic/anxiety attacks for already more than 5 years. This problem has produced very deep depresion pretty often. your books mean so much to me. I really wish that I could meet you. Nathaniel Joseph Aaron Kfar Sava, Israel - Friday, November 05, 2004 at 02:14:05 (MST) May you continue to bring direction, joy and wholeness to many. Larry Larry Nilson Wayland, Ma USA - Friday, October 22, 2004 at 10:37:39 (MDT) I want to thank you for your existance. your books help me with my patients and coleges when ever I suspect I'm wrong. I simply love you. I'll do a lot to share your workshop at 2005. Do you have plans allready? Yonat Lamed Jerusalem, Israel - Friday, October 22, 2004 at 00:41:01 (MDT) I have given away over 15 copies of KTW since I read it a few years ago and especially after attending your workshop last Nov. at the Aqua Hotel. So often people remind me that your words comfort them and help them to center themselves. We are all great gifts and you show us the way by doing your tikkun haolam. May each of us do our work to repair the world and to repair our souls.Thank you and many blessings always. Oona Milpitas, cadorin USA - Tuesday, October 19, 2004 at 22:56:26 (MDT) and moved by your book KTW which I accidently came across at the Public Library in San Fransisco - it has touched me in many ways and I keep it constantly, like a mentor/friend at my bedside table. Thanks. Mabel Kahler Abu Dhabi, U.A.E. - Thursday, October 14, 2004 at 12:14:51 (MDT) I have lived the last 14 years of my life with a very rare hereditary progressive neurological disease. I watched and cared for 6 other members of two generations of my family as they died with the same disease. Finally, after years of failed attempts my many neurologists to even give my disease a name I was accepted by NIH for a complete examination. My hopes were dashed when even they (so far) were able to give this disease its name. My DNA and blood now travel the world seeking others with the same illness. I know one day progress and knowing will come. The last 2 months have been so very dark and painful that I began to close my heart to hope and love. A friend in CA that I have never met in person mailed me MGB and KTW. I have read 1,000s of books throughout my life, but yours were different. Each written word has bathed my spirit in light and love. Thank you for the service of these wonderful words to me and so many others. I send you more blessings today with profound gratitude. Sometimes real hope and truth are worth far more than all the known and named diagnoses in the world. CD Carole Duvall Scroggins, TX USA - Monday, September 27, 2004 at 22:16:55 (MDT) More people should write books like "My Grandfather's Blessings" and more people should read them! Daughty Ranna Arlington, VA USA Heard AACP presentation in Salt Lake City and was touched so much. As a health professional educator her stories were wonderful and delivered many profound points which I will share with my students. Thank you. Bob Cisneros Buies Creek , NC USA I just wanted to say "Thank you" Dr. Remen. Six months ago I was receiving my last serious of treatment that included 6 weeks of radiaiton. After 5 months of chemotherapy, several major surgies and set backs, I can say I have survived thank to you. Because of my rare form of cancer (SNUC in my ethmoid sinus) doctors had little hope. I held on all last year on one thing, FAITH. During my last few weeks of radation tx I hit my lowest period. I was physically, emotionally, and spiritualy weak and beaten up. One day after tx I decided to get out of the apartment I rented during my stay, and came across your book "Kitchen Table Wisdom" in the waiting area (this particular apartment complex rents a good percentage to cancer people because of the 2 well known cancer hospitals near by). I picked it up and went back to my room and started reading it. I felt so connected to all of the stories. I felt sorrow, joyfulness, tearfulness, but mainly a new sense of hope. For the first time in over 8 months I felt a sense of hope. Thank you so much for writing your books. I know it has touch many lives including mine. During my last check up 2 months ago I am cancer free. I am due for another MRI next month which I know is going to be fine. Keep putting out wonderful written books on hope, faith, healing and love. In spirit Sam Sam Bales Ellensburg, wa usa - Sunday, February 29, 2004 at 01:29:31 (MST) I am in the middle of your book KTW - it has been very enlightening- I am an RN working in a teaching hospital. I feel like one of your patients in therapy as I read your wonderful life stories. It has touched me on so many levels- personally and professionally- thank you. heidi <heidi@skiddsplace.com> cincinnati, oh - Wednesday, February 11, 2004 at 02:40:29 (MST) Dear Dr. Remen: Four years ago a dear friend gave me both of your books at one of the lowest points in my life. At the risk of sounding dramatic-your words literally saved my life. I have read and re-read and re-read MGB and KTW. Each time I "hear" a new message that "changes the meaning" of my life's journey. I was also blessed to hear you speak in Wa state 3 years ago (the cat and butterfly pin???) I have purchased and/or recommended your books to so many who,like all of us, are looking for love and belonging. I listen to your tapes whenever I drive and feel I am not alone-"Rachel is with me". Though chronic physical and emotional pain seem to be nearly daily companions, I somehow wanted you to know, you bless each day with some hope and joy. Words cannot express my gratitude. May God (and your Grandfather) continue to bless your life as you have blessed so many others. Namaste, D. Kathryn D.Kathryn Rural, CO USA - Saturday, January 31, 2004 at 16:12:22 (MST) My husband died unexpectedly just over two weeks ago and my level of grief was overwhelming. He was a teacher and musician who touched many lives--so many the performing arts center where we held his memorial service was standing room only. I do not remember when I purchased your book, My Gran |