Synopsis:

How fast can a person's life change?  Have you ever thought about how one event in a person's life can alter the path of not only that person, but the lives of those they encounter?  Have you reached a point where it hurts to even hope anymore?  Do you find yourself simply dissatisfied with life, wondering "Is this it?"

 Heather Hogan's memoir Can There Be More? invites readers into one woman's journey through relationships, divorce, pregnancy, fears, triumphs, joys-the human condition, offering wisdom perfect for any woman who has experienced both the burn and beauty of love.  Beset by the difficulties of losing her mother at a young age and her father's subsequent battles with alcoholism, this is a story of endurance and aspirations for a better life.  Through an insightful and brutally honest exploration of her past, Hogan relates a legacy not of perfection but of enduring thankfulness, challenging her readers to forage through their trials and find life's many blessings.

Book Excerpt:

Do I think that Kenzie is happy?  That is only a question that she could answer, and I do ask her.  She always says yes, but I know there are hidden feelings that I will not know about until she is an adult.  I know she has inner turmoil.  I know she probably wishes things, at times, had turned out differently.  What I think she has learned from me is the ability to move on, accept what you have been given, run with it, and try to live happily everyday.  The most important thing I hope she knows is tomorrow is a new day and a new chance to live the life you want to live. 

I want all of my kids and Mark's girls to know these things.  It is too early to tell if they know it yet, but I know Kenzie gets it.  When people are asked what they wish for their kids, they always answer happiness, security, blah, blah....and that is a no duh.  I want all of that, of course, but I want them to know how to forgive,  to have empathy, to respect people, to enjoy a sunny day, and a rainy day.  I want them to be mesmerized by the sound of the surf pounding against the shore.  I want them to experience a Chicago thunderstorm and be in awe of the sound of thunder and the sight of lightning.   They need to go diving and realize there is a whole other world in the ocean, and watch geese flying south and wonder how they form that V.  I love our sense of smell, and I want them to appreciate the smell of spring arriving and the first smell of fall.  They need to make snow angels and sit by a fire, while snow falls outside of a window.  These are the simple, beautiful, and free things in life that will bring them happiness.

Lastly, I hope that they experience these things with people they love, and I also hope they have enough self-confidence to sit alone in the quiet, reflect on life, and enjoy the wonderful things around them. 

Write a Review »

Author Comment:

I wrote this book to bring hope and inspiration to every man,woman, and child who has been in my situation. I wrote it for all the people out there that lives have been altered by a disease called alcoholism, the death of a parent, or serious dysfunction in their lives. I want people to stop blaming themselves for their anger, resentment,and their inabilities to have normal relationships. I want them to know we all share common traits, insecurities, and have inner demons that at times have haunted us and our ability to be functioning adults. Mostly, I want them to know that they will and can heal themselves with God, faith, hope, and help from others. With faith they will be lead down the path to inner peace. More importantly, they deserve to know what true happiness is and that utopia is available to even us, the children of alcoholics and abuse that went through hell to get to where we are today. It took me thirty five long years to abandon the guilt and all the anger that was debilitating my life. I hope all who read my book will find the inspiration to grasp that rope that will take them to the other side of the river, and on the other side they will find light, love, and peace!

Topics/Categories:

anger and resentment issues, Death of a parent, Divorce

Genre:

Memoir

Type of Work:

Book

Publishers:

Tate Publishing & Enterprises

Purchase From:

Can There Be More?
Can There Be More?

Original Publish Date:

September 23, 2007

Formats:

Paperback and Audio CD

• Share With:
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
•