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60 Postcards: The Inspirational Story of a Young Woman's Journey to Celebrate Her Mother, One Postcard at a Time
The heartfelt and uplifting story of how a project to scatter 60 Postcards in memory of her mother helped a young girl come to terms with her loss.
On 11 February 2012 Rachael Chadwick lost her Mother to cancer, just sixteen days after first being diagnosed, and her world shattered right in front of her. Utterly fed up of the milestones and reminders, in December of that year she decided she would do something different and created a project based around her Mum's approaching 60th Birthday. Desperate to spread the word about the wonderful person she had lost, Rachael had the brainwave of leaving notes around a city in her memory. Deciding she would take it a step further she wondered what would happen if she could ask people to respond to her? Full of hope and energy she hand-wrote sixty postcards, each with her email address at the bottom asking the finder to get in touch. But one question remained, where should she go?
Knowing how much she longed to visit Paris, the last gift that Rachael's mum had given her was Eurostar vouchers, and so it seemed fitting that this would be her chosen city. So off she went with a group of friends to celebrate, discover, and to scatter her memories. Filling their time in Paris with sight-seeing, food and drink, laughter, and of course postcards.
When Rachael returned to her London home, she desperately tried to switch off, switch off from the wondering (and hoping) whether she might actually hear from a postcard finder. And then, they started flowing in…
On 11 February 2012 Rachael Chadwick lost her Mother to cancer, just sixteen days after first being diagnosed, and her world shattered right in front of her. Utterly fed up of the milestones and reminders, in December of that year she decided she would do something different and created a project based around her Mum's approaching 60th Birthday. Desperate to spread the word about the wonderful person she had lost, Rachael had the brainwave of leaving notes around a city in her memory. Deciding she would take it a step further she wondered what would happen if she could ask people to respond to her? Full of hope and energy she hand-wrote sixty postcards, each with her email address at the bottom asking the finder to get in touch. But one question remained, where should she go?
Knowing how much she longed to visit Paris, the last gift that Rachael's mum had given her was Eurostar vouchers, and so it seemed fitting that this would be her chosen city. So off she went with a group of friends to celebrate, discover, and to scatter her memories. Filling their time in Paris with sight-seeing, food and drink, laughter, and of course postcards.
When Rachael returned to her London home, she desperately tried to switch off, switch off from the wondering (and hoping) whether she might actually hear from a postcard finder. And then, they started flowing in…
224 pages, Unknown Binding
First published February 25, 2014
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 30 reviews
February 24, 2016
I’m reading this memoir a few months after finding out my nanny has pancreatic cancer. She has been one of my favourite people for my whole life, and the news that I am to lose her is devastating. When she came home from hospital just after Christmas, it looked like she wouldn’t last the week. I very much felt for Rachael Chadwick as she described the 16 days from the diagnosis to the death of her mother, it was something I thought would be my experience too. Thankfully, my nan has now been given 3-6 months, though as anyone who has been through this knows, any given timescale is subject to the whims of fate. In any case, I feel nothing but grateful for this extra time; when nanny seemed overnight to lose her ability to stay awake or talk, I thought i’d had my last ever conversation with her without realising it. More than anything, it was this thought that kept tumbling round and round in my head. Now, I make sure every time I speak to her that she knows how much I love her and how much her support has meant to me.
I thought this book would make me cry. It did, but it made me smile too. Rachael’s helplessness, guilt, anger, sadness, all these emotions have been mine. I felt like I understood, as much as anyone can understand someone else’s pain. There is no comparison that makes sense, or is worthwhile, but it made me feel less alone to read the confusion of thoughts that troubled another person’s mind. The book may be about bereavement, a daughter’s tribute to her mother, but it is sad and moving and uplifting and positive all at once. Those who have suffered loss, and those who have yet to experience it, will find something in it. I cheered her choice to do something positive and was excited with her as she recounted the feelings of amazement and happiness when strangers started to respond to her postcards. How wonderful the contacts are that we make in life with people we have never met...
I won’t be making most own postcards when my nan passes away. I’m going to struggle. As anyone does. As everyone does. I know that if she were well, she would be spending this time travelling the world and seeing new things. So each and every time I do this, I’ll smile because I know that she’d be the one rooting for me the most.
I thought this book would make me cry. It did, but it made me smile too. Rachael’s helplessness, guilt, anger, sadness, all these emotions have been mine. I felt like I understood, as much as anyone can understand someone else’s pain. There is no comparison that makes sense, or is worthwhile, but it made me feel less alone to read the confusion of thoughts that troubled another person’s mind. The book may be about bereavement, a daughter’s tribute to her mother, but it is sad and moving and uplifting and positive all at once. Those who have suffered loss, and those who have yet to experience it, will find something in it. I cheered her choice to do something positive and was excited with her as she recounted the feelings of amazement and happiness when strangers started to respond to her postcards. How wonderful the contacts are that we make in life with people we have never met...
I won’t be making most own postcards when my nan passes away. I’m going to struggle. As anyone does. As everyone does. I know that if she were well, she would be spending this time travelling the world and seeing new things. So each and every time I do this, I’ll smile because I know that she’d be the one rooting for me the most.
November 10, 2021
Grāmatu sāku, pirms tam nelasot anotācijas un komentārus par to, un biju iedomājusies, ka esmu tikusi pie parastas ceļotāju piezīmju grāmatas. Liels bija mans pārsteigums, kad sapratu, par ko tā patiesībā ir - kam par godu šis ceļojums, kam par godu viss šis stāsts.
Tiek aprakstīts neizsakāmi sāpīgs dzīves notikums un saukšu šo par vērtīgu lasāmvielu, kas motivē atcerēties par ģimenes un cilvēka vērtību, kā tādu. Pie manis grāmata nonāca tieši laikā, lai vēlreiz atgādinātu, ka dzīvē viss var mainīties zibens ātrumā.
Tiek aprakstīts neizsakāmi sāpīgs dzīves notikums un saukšu šo par vērtīgu lasāmvielu, kas motivē atcerēties par ģimenes un cilvēka vērtību, kā tādu. Pie manis grāmata nonāca tieši laikā, lai vēlreiz atgādinātu, ka dzīvē viss var mainīties zibens ātrumā.
January 21, 2024
absolutely LOVED this book as myself I love postcards and this was much relevant to me.
December 31, 2018
3 Stars = I liked the book. I'm glad I read it.
November 11, 2014
At the age of 59 Viv Chadwick is diagnosed with cancer. Sixteen days later she looses her battle with the disease and passes away. Rachael, the eldest daughter,is completely devastated along with the rest of the family and friends, colleagues and pupils at the school that she taught at.
This happen shortly before her mother 60th birthday, and as she is beginning to piece her life back together, she remembers that her mum always wanted her to write, and so she conceive the plan to write and distribute 60 postcards around the lovely city of Paris in memory of her mother. These postcards are telling the finder why she has done this, and are asking what they were doing when they found the postcard and to send photos. She gathers 12 of her friends for a long weekend in Paris, and between them they leave the postcards in cafe's bookshop and in other locations in the city. As the party drifts back home, Rachael begins to wonder if she will ever hear back from any of the finders.
And she did not have to wait long either; a few days after returning to London, the first person replies to her saying where they found it. Soon there are more replies and people starting to share the way that she is doing this tribute to her mother. From this she meets a number of people, visits New York to scatter more postcards, and ends up writing this book.
As Rachael says in the book, she wears her heart on her sleeve, and reading this account of her grief and tribute to her mother does make for sad reading. But in all the sadness is joy too. Her mother not only inspired her and her sisters, but also those that she taught and was friends with in the local community. And as this is my local community too, there are many reference to local places and people.
The 60 postcards project was a simple, yet effective, project to honour her mother. It is both moving and inspirational. http://60postcards.com/
This happen shortly before her mother 60th birthday, and as she is beginning to piece her life back together, she remembers that her mum always wanted her to write, and so she conceive the plan to write and distribute 60 postcards around the lovely city of Paris in memory of her mother. These postcards are telling the finder why she has done this, and are asking what they were doing when they found the postcard and to send photos. She gathers 12 of her friends for a long weekend in Paris, and between them they leave the postcards in cafe's bookshop and in other locations in the city. As the party drifts back home, Rachael begins to wonder if she will ever hear back from any of the finders.
And she did not have to wait long either; a few days after returning to London, the first person replies to her saying where they found it. Soon there are more replies and people starting to share the way that she is doing this tribute to her mother. From this she meets a number of people, visits New York to scatter more postcards, and ends up writing this book.
As Rachael says in the book, she wears her heart on her sleeve, and reading this account of her grief and tribute to her mother does make for sad reading. But in all the sadness is joy too. Her mother not only inspired her and her sisters, but also those that she taught and was friends with in the local community. And as this is my local community too, there are many reference to local places and people.
The 60 postcards project was a simple, yet effective, project to honour her mother. It is both moving and inspirational. http://60postcards.com/
July 10, 2016
After recently losing my own mother to cancer,this book resonated with me in many ways. Her thoughts and emotions in trying to deal with such an incomprehensible loss are similar to my own. The poem I read at my mums funeral was read at her mums service.
I admire the way she has dealt with her grief and loss. An inspiring read.
I admire the way she has dealt with her grief and loss. An inspiring read.
October 22, 2018
Lovely story recounting a very human tale of grief and how the writer dealt with it. Liked her open honest style and the subject content was moving. The writing style was a bit clumsy and sometimes felt like a school essay. Which was also part of the charm.
July 28, 2025
Title of book perfectly describes what it's about. Even though the book's subject of grief is expected to be emotional I personally didn't feel any real emotion from this book. It was a nice story to read.
March 24, 2018
this book is the reason why I love true stories, the author did a wonderful job in describing the emotions she felt throughout the journey.
May 23, 2024
A moving , enlightening story of a daughter’s love for her Mum , how it never ends and why it shouldn’t .
March 7, 2014
INITIAL THOUGHTS
I have to admit that approaching this one I was in a bit of a reading block, so I wasn't totally convinced I would enjoy it. I thought from reading the blurb that the book would be kind of like marmite with whole love it or hate it vibe. I thought it would either be really depressing or uplifting.
MY REVIEW
I saw this book on Netgalley and felt compelled to request it. I was lucky enough to be accepted for a copy in exchange for my honest review. As I said in my initial thoughts I had been in a reading slump so fancied reading something a little "different". I felt that I would either love or hate it. I mean the book is about the death of Rachael's (the writer's)mother . . . would it be depressing? Would I want to read the whole book?
So what is the book about? Basically, Rachael Chadwick's mum find's out she has cancer. The cancer she has is inoperable and is in the stages where nothing can be done to either attempt to cure or prolong her life. So the book deal's with this incredibly difficult subject, sadly a subject many of us will somehow relate to on many, many levels. Rachael goes on to tell us the reader how her family cope will her dearly loved mother's last days. Rachael's mother isn't a famous actress, or singer or celebrity of any sort, she is a normal everyday person like you or me. She is a mother, a wife, a teacher, and a friend. The story of her illness and death is a sad one that is being played out in many homes around the world. From diagnosis to passing it consists of only sixteen days.
The book then goes on to tell how Rachael comes up with her 60 Postcards Project. Rachael is dealing with all first anniversaries of her mother's passing when she comes up with the idea of 60 Postcards. Rachael wants to share her love for her mother and their story with other people around the world. So she writes 60 postcards about her mother and puts her email address on the cards. . . what will people do when they find them? Will they reply?
Rachael decides to use the Euro Star vouchers that were the last birthday present her mother bough her and leave the 60 Postcards all around Paris.
The book tells all about the act of leaving the cards and the trip to leave them as well as the replies from those who find the postcards.
So what did I think to he book? I think the book was well written, written straight from the heart of a loving daughter. I think the idea of the 60 Postcards to celebrate and commemorate what would have been Rachael's mum's 60th Birthday was a fantastic way of remembering a much loved and dearly missed mother.
I found the book heart-warming, yet heart breaking. Whilst reading it I smiled, but at other times reading the book I had eyes that were brimming with tears and a heart that ached for Rachael and her mother and the family. Within the first two sentences that are used to describe the book the words heartfelt and uplifting are used and this book really is inspiring, heartening, moving and elevating. I cannot sing it's praises enough.
So did I enjoy the book? I think from my review you will have gathered that I found the book and enriching and emotional read. Would I recommend the book? Yes I would recommend this book.
I also feel like I want to Thank Rachael for sharing her story and her love for her mother.
I have to admit that approaching this one I was in a bit of a reading block, so I wasn't totally convinced I would enjoy it. I thought from reading the blurb that the book would be kind of like marmite with whole love it or hate it vibe. I thought it would either be really depressing or uplifting.
MY REVIEW
I saw this book on Netgalley and felt compelled to request it. I was lucky enough to be accepted for a copy in exchange for my honest review. As I said in my initial thoughts I had been in a reading slump so fancied reading something a little "different". I felt that I would either love or hate it. I mean the book is about the death of Rachael's (the writer's)mother . . . would it be depressing? Would I want to read the whole book?
So what is the book about? Basically, Rachael Chadwick's mum find's out she has cancer. The cancer she has is inoperable and is in the stages where nothing can be done to either attempt to cure or prolong her life. So the book deal's with this incredibly difficult subject, sadly a subject many of us will somehow relate to on many, many levels. Rachael goes on to tell us the reader how her family cope will her dearly loved mother's last days. Rachael's mother isn't a famous actress, or singer or celebrity of any sort, she is a normal everyday person like you or me. She is a mother, a wife, a teacher, and a friend. The story of her illness and death is a sad one that is being played out in many homes around the world. From diagnosis to passing it consists of only sixteen days.
The book then goes on to tell how Rachael comes up with her 60 Postcards Project. Rachael is dealing with all first anniversaries of her mother's passing when she comes up with the idea of 60 Postcards. Rachael wants to share her love for her mother and their story with other people around the world. So she writes 60 postcards about her mother and puts her email address on the cards. . . what will people do when they find them? Will they reply?
Rachael decides to use the Euro Star vouchers that were the last birthday present her mother bough her and leave the 60 Postcards all around Paris.
The book tells all about the act of leaving the cards and the trip to leave them as well as the replies from those who find the postcards.
So what did I think to he book? I think the book was well written, written straight from the heart of a loving daughter. I think the idea of the 60 Postcards to celebrate and commemorate what would have been Rachael's mum's 60th Birthday was a fantastic way of remembering a much loved and dearly missed mother.
I found the book heart-warming, yet heart breaking. Whilst reading it I smiled, but at other times reading the book I had eyes that were brimming with tears and a heart that ached for Rachael and her mother and the family. Within the first two sentences that are used to describe the book the words heartfelt and uplifting are used and this book really is inspiring, heartening, moving and elevating. I cannot sing it's praises enough.
So did I enjoy the book? I think from my review you will have gathered that I found the book and enriching and emotional read. Would I recommend the book? Yes I would recommend this book.
I also feel like I want to Thank Rachael for sharing her story and her love for her mother.
March 13, 2014
I had not heard about Rachel Chadwick's story before I read this book but decided to pick up the book as I liked the idea. What a fantastic way to remember her mum which lead to an incredible oppurtunity to travel the world and make new friends, which all started with leaving 60 postcards around Paris.
The book begins with the cruel and sad diagnosis of Rachel's mum with Cancer. Unfortunately the cancer took hold quickly and she lost her life very soon after diagnosis. Rachel and her family managed to get through the funeral but then the difficult times really began. It was at this time that Rachel decided she was going to do something in memory of her mum and 60 postcards was born.
The project began with a group of friends visiting Paris and leaving 60 postcards around the city, anyone who found one was asked to contact Rachel and tell her their story. A website was born, http://60postcards.com/ , and the book written.
I really enjoyed reading about the initial postcard drop, I visited Paris on my honeymoon, nearly fourteen years ago, and I think that if I had found one of the postcards I would of felt honored and immediately contacted Rachel myself. The postcards were left over one weekend and it wasn't long before Rachel began to have contact with the people who had found them. There is a large proportion of the book devoted to these people and Rachel also met many of the people or went on more trips after hearing of their stories, visiting USA, Paris again to name but two.
This is a lovely story, although it starts of with the death of loved mum, Rachel turns her sadness to a great project and the book really is a good read. Her trips to the ballet sounded fantastic, along with meeting Thandie Newton and the friendship she made with a couple who stayed in the apartment that the project began in in Paris. It is a tribute to her mum and is filled with emotion and love, but is a book that should be read with happiness because I think this is what Rachel received through the project.
Well done Rachel - I will be following your blog with interest and also on twitter (@60postcards)
The book begins with the cruel and sad diagnosis of Rachel's mum with Cancer. Unfortunately the cancer took hold quickly and she lost her life very soon after diagnosis. Rachel and her family managed to get through the funeral but then the difficult times really began. It was at this time that Rachel decided she was going to do something in memory of her mum and 60 postcards was born.
The project began with a group of friends visiting Paris and leaving 60 postcards around the city, anyone who found one was asked to contact Rachel and tell her their story. A website was born, http://60postcards.com/ , and the book written.
I really enjoyed reading about the initial postcard drop, I visited Paris on my honeymoon, nearly fourteen years ago, and I think that if I had found one of the postcards I would of felt honored and immediately contacted Rachel myself. The postcards were left over one weekend and it wasn't long before Rachel began to have contact with the people who had found them. There is a large proportion of the book devoted to these people and Rachel also met many of the people or went on more trips after hearing of their stories, visiting USA, Paris again to name but two.
This is a lovely story, although it starts of with the death of loved mum, Rachel turns her sadness to a great project and the book really is a good read. Her trips to the ballet sounded fantastic, along with meeting Thandie Newton and the friendship she made with a couple who stayed in the apartment that the project began in in Paris. It is a tribute to her mum and is filled with emotion and love, but is a book that should be read with happiness because I think this is what Rachel received through the project.
Well done Rachel - I will be following your blog with interest and also on twitter (@60postcards)
Read
April 29, 2014"Before you start this book, please buy a blank postcard to use as a bookmark."
It seemed a simple request, and it so happened I had a blank postcard in my desk drawer, so I decided to humour the author and do as she asked. Exactly why is revealed in the last pages of this touching and inspirational memoir.
Rachael Chadwick was devastated to lose her mother, Vivian, to cancer just sixteen short days after her diagnosis in 2012, and struggled through the subsequent months without her, which included the wedding of her younger sister where her mother's absence was keenly felt. With what would have been her mother's 60th birthday approaching, Rachael, still mired in grief, made a decision - to celebrate and honour her mother's life in the most imaginative and creative way she could think of, and so the '60 Postcards' tribute was conceived. Sixty handwritten postcards bearing a simple message about her mother and Rachael's intent, also inviting the finder to get in touch, were scattered around the city of Paris.
To share both the details of the memorial project, as well as her memories of her mother, Rachael launched a blog, 60postcards.com, in March of 2013 and it is from those posts that the much of the narrative is drawn. Rachael begins with the anniversary journey she took with a dozen friends to scatter the first 60 postcards in Paris, shares the pain of her mother's diagnosis and her last days with her, through to the excitement of the first reply to a postcard found in Paris and the expansion of the project.
60 Postcards is a heartbreaking journey of loss and grief and an uplifting tale of love, family and friendship. Most of all, it is a daughter's loving tribute to her mother, and you are invited to be part of it.
*Please note: I choose not to give memoirs a star rating*
March 5, 2014
It is very rare for me to read a book as quickly as I have done so with this beautiful piece of writing. From the moment you begin to read the book you feel like you have always been friends with Rachel Chadwick. Her style of writing is wonderfully warm and personal. The book is a triumph and whilst nothing can ever bring back a lost loved one, to come up with scattering postcards around Paris to celebrate the life of her mother was inspired and makes for a truly wonderful read. Having lost a parent myself I found myself connected to the section on her mother's illness on many levels and the way the books deals with death and bereavement is both touching and moving. The stories of what happens with the postcards is heart warming and wonderful and I cannot recommend highly enough for you to read this book and find out what happens for yourself.
September 27, 2016
Heartfelt indeed, an interesting idea but the writing left me rather cold at times. I skimmed quite a lot of this, but properly read (mostly...) the chapter where Rachael and friends were in Paris leaving the postcards. The author writes in a warm and chatty way, but it's just quite young in tone and irritating (the writing seems very young for her age) and the italics drove me crazy!
However the quality of the writing is perceived, who wouldn't wish Rachael and her family well. I can't imagine how awful losing her mother in such a short of space felt, seeing her suffer so much pain must have been devastating.
However the quality of the writing is perceived, who wouldn't wish Rachael and her family well. I can't imagine how awful losing her mother in such a short of space felt, seeing her suffer so much pain must have been devastating.
September 1, 2015
Very moving and uplifting book a better daughter celebrating her mother's life and the daughter is pregnant journey with that she took following her mother certain death.
It is still provoking and many words resolution with me when you are bereaved in that period between teenager and hitting 35 it can be a very lonely place.
I have loved postcard since I started collecting aged 7 so the elements of using these to celebrate another's life was inspiring fun and rewarding especially beginning the project in Paris.
I wish the author every success in her future endeavours
It is still provoking and many words resolution with me when you are bereaved in that period between teenager and hitting 35 it can be a very lonely place.
I have loved postcard since I started collecting aged 7 so the elements of using these to celebrate another's life was inspiring fun and rewarding especially beginning the project in Paris.
I wish the author every success in her future endeavours
July 27, 2015
I had a hard time getting through this book. I love the concept behind the postcards and handwritten messages. It's nice to have tangible tributes to loved ones in a world of digital media, but I had a hard time immersing myself in the author's words. I wasn't at all captivated by the prose of this memoir. I feel like it was written by a child, not someone in their late 20s. Great concept and lovely story, but poorly written.
May 28, 2014
I read 60 Postcards in almost one sitting, after buying it for my own mom's birthday. I applaud Rachael Chadwick for turning the sad loss of her mother into something so wonderful and inspirational. I'm so glad that her project became such a success and put Rachael in touch with some wonderful and diverse people. I'm sure her mom would be incredibly proud.
October 26, 2016
Oh my word, what a lovely story and lovely idea.
This had me crying, giggling, laughing out loud, crying again ... it was a real roller coaster of emotions and so candidly written. I really enjoyed it and have so much admiration to you Rachael for putting into words how you felt.
I love postcards so this idea really appealed to me.
I think your mum would be so proud of her eldest daughter.
This had me crying, giggling, laughing out loud, crying again ... it was a real roller coaster of emotions and so candidly written. I really enjoyed it and have so much admiration to you Rachael for putting into words how you felt.
I love postcards so this idea really appealed to me.
I think your mum would be so proud of her eldest daughter.
October 30, 2014
Very sweet book, and obviously heartbreaking in places. An inspirational story though, if you read this and aren't touched you have no soul!
September 1, 2014
Review posted on Blog A Book Etc
April 4, 2015
So inspiring - so many parallels with my own experiences, it made me kick myself for not having the same idea and doing it first! Really heartwarming and inspiring story, definitely one to recommend.
June 13, 2015
Lovely story but poor writing. I found the writing to be very childish in places. How amazing this book could have been if it had been in the hands of an elegant and polished writer
July 11, 2015
Little repetitive in the middle but an opportunity to reflect on life and final chapter particularly moving.
August 8, 2015
A very sincere, heart-felt book, I accept, but nevertheless I found it rather tedious after a while.
August 28, 2015
vey touching...
September 13, 2015
I really enjoyed this book - Thanks Sarah for the recommend A really great idea and a fitting tribute will share with others
January 12, 2016
I wanted to like this book but it didn't have the depth I was looking for. The postcard project was a great idea.
May 23, 2016
The author expressed my feelings in this book!
Displaying 1 - 30 of 30 reviews