It had all been rather overwhelming, really. My eldest sister in Seattle, Micky, died suddenly in her sleep—so unexpected! Meanwhile, my beloved Mum in Florida was already dying—the doctors had diagnosed Failure to Thrive; Hospice had already been called in. Mum was sleeping a lot now… fewer and fewer days of consciousness. A family decision was made not to tell Mum about Micky. I flew out to Seattle for the funeral—selfishly asking God to please, please let Mum live until I returned—I wanted to kiss her just "one more time" before she went to heaven. And God was merciful—the day I flew back to Florida from Seattle, I kissed Mum, and she died a few hours later (and only days after her daughter left this world). This is all my heart could stand—two people who were MY WORLD left me.

My son was killed in an automobile accident November 25, 2002. This poem reflect my moods at the loss of my son.

In Dr. Bernie Siegel's new book, Buddy's Candle, a father shares a meaningful story from his childhood with his nine year old son. In a gentle way, the father describes how a loving dog named Buddy not only helped him to heal when facing a serious illness, but also changed his life in miraculous ways. Buddy's Candle is a touching and heartwarming story. In its gentle way, it helps us to deal with grief and teaches us how to live life fully and accept loss and death with an open heart. The original and charming illustrations by Mari Gayatri Stein take us on a joy filled adventure. These full spectrum color drawings add humor, and a heartfelt exuberance.

As a surgeon who has worked with people with life threatening illnesses for many years, Dr. Bernie Siegel shares in this story his belief that there is a light in each of us by God's/Dog's design. And, that we are all a part of the candle parade of light. As long as we remember to love, our candles will glow with life as will Buddy's candle across the Rainbow Bridge. This is a story both children and adults will find healing, uplifting, and inspiring.
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