A beautiful, poignant memoir written by Elaine Mansfield, Leaning into Love. Today I’m sharing my review of Elaine’s heartfelt and eloquently written memoir of her journey through her life, love and grief with the loss of her husband Vic to cancer.
Buy this book: https://www.amazon.com/Leaning-into-Love-Spiritual-Journey-ebook/dp/B00NBA8DN2
“I’ll find a way to be all right,” Elaine promised Vic, her dying husband and best friend of 42 years. Leaving the hospital after he passed, she had no idea how. Her uplifting story of love, hope, determination, and triumph is a gift to the half million women who lose spouses each year.”
DGKayewriter.com 
Wow! Thank you. I’m floored. This is so kind of you, dear generous one.
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You’re most welcome Elaine. I’ve been going through a list of books I’ve enjoyed and reviewed and forgot to post here. So I’m doing this for awhile in a Sunday series. 🙂
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Sounds like a very moving ❤ book, Debby. Thanks for the recommendation 🙂
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Highly recommend Diana. 🙂
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Thank you for your kind comment.
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I know this Elaine. You take us through the journey with you. And indeed, every loss of a loved one hits us in a different part of our hearts. ❤ May you find a peace with your loss soon, and dwell on the love. ❤
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I’ve known Elaine for quite a while through our writing exchange though we’ve never had a face to face encounter. After my mother died, I was moved to approach her about reviewing her memoir interview style. Perhaps you’ve read here: https://plainandfancygirl.com/2015/01/28/acquainted-with-grief-author-elaine-mansfield-speaks/
She also did a TedX talk which I would highly recommend, still available on her website. Elaine succeeds as a masterful storyteller, which is why her book touches the heart.
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Thanks so much for resharing the link to that beautiful post q and a with Elaine. I noted the date and I was on winter vacation, so thanks so much for sharing the link so I could read it. And I’ve also watched Elaine’s TedX talk. She is indeed a masterful storyteller. 🙂
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Thank you, Marian and Debby. At the moment I’m trying to recover from my brother’s death and memorial service. It hits in a very different way–more hidden and subtle but closer to the body.
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It’s a lovely review, Debby. Wishing Elaine all the best.
Mega hugs!
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Thanks Teag. Lovely to see you pass by here. Have a wonderful week. xo 🙂
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Thank you, Teag. The book has a long shelf life because, sooner or later, we all have to deal with loss. I appreciate your good wishes.
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Amen to that Elaine. Similar to what I’ve just told Janice about you. ❤
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Thanks for sharing Sal. ❤
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Hi Debby!
How sad. Elaine seems like a nice person. I didn’t know she lost her husband.
Janice
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Hi Janice. Yes, it’s a very sad story, but Elaine’s writing is all about dealing and coping with grief. Although sad, there is so much inspiration in her book. She’s an amazing writer and spirit. I think of her as a warrior woman. 🙂
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She wrote me in response to what I wrote. Did you know Wayne is 12 years older than me? I hope if ever I find myself in that situation, I can find her inner strength. Warrior woman is right!
Janice
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You know me Janice. I call ’em as I see ’em. 🙂
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?
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Janice, love includes sadness, but I look at it this way. I had a nearly perfect partner (and we were even good at arguing without taking things too far) for 42 years. We shared a spiritual perspective, intellectual interests, deep delving into dreams and the inner life, love of our land, and more. One of the last things he said to me was, “I don’t know what will happen to me, but I know I will always love you.” He still shows up in dreams and I feel his inner support every day. Not that he’s an angel with wings hanging around in an embodied way. I don’t experience that, but over those years, he became part of me as I was part of him. His perspective and support remain without getting in the way of a new life.
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Hi Elaine,
Thanks for the response. You sound like such a strong woman. I married a man 12 years my senior. I hope if I am ever in your situation, I can find your strength.
Janice
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I’m sure you’re stronger than you know. Maybe it’s how you define the word. For me, strength is based on a grounded contact with body, feelings, and the imagination. I’ve had lots of help from teachers and teachings about feminine spirituality. The Feminine includes the mysterious cycles inherent in life–summer and winter, day fading into night, birth followed by death.
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Thanks for the encouragement Elaine, and for yet another piece of wisdom. 🙂
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Sounds great. Thanks for the introduction 🙂
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Thank you Christoph. Elaine is an amazing writer, and a wise and compassionate soul. ❤
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Thank you and thanks to Debby.
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What a lovely title and thank you for sharing Debby.. and yes on old laptop.. I tried again to sort out myself.. but what ever I did didn’t work.. I will take to my daughters partner to sort out on my next visit for sure as it is really annoying I can not click to get to you via WP… xxx ❤
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So frustrating Sue. I can’t wait till you get some help to sort this out. I so appreciate the hoops you’ve been having to go through just to get here. xoxo ❤
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They are not too difficult hoops.. and I love jumping through them 🙂 I always enjoy your posts..
Tonight I am trying my hand at a little fiction.perhaps for a future post.. Not made up my mind how to formulate it as yet.. But it will all fall into place once the cogs kick in 🙂 Have a lovely evening.. Love Sue x
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Thanks again Sue for your kindness. Now, I’m curious to read some of your fiction. I look forward to it. Get those cogs kickin’! 🙂 xo ❤
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🙂
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Thank you. Computer chaos strikes again! I’m grateful for a son who has a computer business and can remote into my machine and fix most anything.
I get lots of help and guidance from dreams, Sue, so I’m fascinated by your name.
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Hello Elaine.. 🙂 This is an on going Saga with McAfee lol.. I am self taught and click and hope for the best most of the time.. 🙂 So hopefully it will be resolved soon.
And Thank you.. I pay a lot of attention to my dreams too 🙂 Love and Blessings and sending you well wishes for wonderful Book Sales.. 🙂
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I do more and more of my own computer problem solving (thank you google searches for making that easier), but I’m glad to have a back-up plan when I get stuck. Keep walking in dreams. I’ve doubted the unplanned direction my writing is taking, but dreams make it clear I’m on the right track.
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That is wonderful to know Elaine.. 🙂 Long may you follow your Dreams..
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