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Twenty-One Days In May: Standing Tall, Book Two
When MARY LOUISE BARRON called her daughter on May 5 th to share the news that she had just been diagnosed with cancer and would be having surgery the following week, she insisted she would still travel to her grandson's university graduation in early June. But she never made that trip, losing her fight with the disease just twenty-one days later. In this novella-length companion to her award-winning A Daughter's Gift , Jacqui shares what unfolded over that heartbreaking three-week period, using those twenty-one days to bring into focus the character, courage, and strength of the woman who had meant so much to so many... and the mother whose example, expectations, and strength had been critical in driving her daughter to try always to live up... To the measure of that remarkable woman.
- GenresNonfiction
128 pages, Paperback
Published September 8, 2016
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18 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews
October 3, 2025
Short but Powerful
It seems somehow wrong for someone to say they enjoyed a book when someone has suffered a major loss but if any of her loved ones read this review, I hope they will understand at least by the end of the review if not immediately. I also extend my sincere condolences for the loss of your mother.
For me, reading this book was almost eerie due to the content. That is because for me and my siblings, it was 20 days between the time our much loved mom was hospitalized (July 5th 2023) and the date she passed (July 25th 2023). She passed here in Maine, in hospice where we arrived with her just 2 days before. Mom was 82 years old but never looked her age. She passed a few hours before sunrise and nearly 4 hours after my brother Scott's birthday. We too believe she held on because she just couldn't die ON his birthday!
Our mom had only one lung and a small piece of her other lung. She was diagnosed with lung cancer in 2011 and didn't need chemo or radiation, but had surgery to remove most of her bad lung with the non small cell lung cancer. And after 5 years of regular scans gradually spread further apart, she was declared in remission. After all that time had passed, even her doctors thought she was one of the lucky ones. Surely she wouldn't get cancer again after all that time. But she did, this time it was small cell lung cancer which has an even worse prognosis.
So this book, written by Jacqui Tam with a prologue by her son, Kenneth is about Jacqui and her siblings' mom, Mary. Mary was quite a bit younger than mine was but like my mom, Mary was beautiful, classy, loved helping and giving to others, was a hard worker, and held herself and her family to certain standards of behavior. Nothing unreasonable or mean however. When Jacqui found out her mom was ill, she and her son flew from Alberta, Canada to Newfoundland and Jacqui's husband Peter joined them soon after.
She is an excellent author and as such, I felt almost like I knew the family but of course, I don't. Jacqui communicates well the heartache and shock at hearing of the diagnosis and then seeing her mom soon after and seeing a once strong and self confident matriarch looking frail, tiring easily and yet maintaining her dignity. The author and her son and family do a wonderful job at bringing Mary to life -- even as she is getting sicker and ends up in the ICU. Her legacy will live on in the hearts of everyone that loves her. Just as my mom's will.
I would definitely recommend this book despite it being a shorter book than I'm accustomed to!
It seems somehow wrong for someone to say they enjoyed a book when someone has suffered a major loss but if any of her loved ones read this review, I hope they will understand at least by the end of the review if not immediately. I also extend my sincere condolences for the loss of your mother.
For me, reading this book was almost eerie due to the content. That is because for me and my siblings, it was 20 days between the time our much loved mom was hospitalized (July 5th 2023) and the date she passed (July 25th 2023). She passed here in Maine, in hospice where we arrived with her just 2 days before. Mom was 82 years old but never looked her age. She passed a few hours before sunrise and nearly 4 hours after my brother Scott's birthday. We too believe she held on because she just couldn't die ON his birthday!
Our mom had only one lung and a small piece of her other lung. She was diagnosed with lung cancer in 2011 and didn't need chemo or radiation, but had surgery to remove most of her bad lung with the non small cell lung cancer. And after 5 years of regular scans gradually spread further apart, she was declared in remission. After all that time had passed, even her doctors thought she was one of the lucky ones. Surely she wouldn't get cancer again after all that time. But she did, this time it was small cell lung cancer which has an even worse prognosis.
So this book, written by Jacqui Tam with a prologue by her son, Kenneth is about Jacqui and her siblings' mom, Mary. Mary was quite a bit younger than mine was but like my mom, Mary was beautiful, classy, loved helping and giving to others, was a hard worker, and held herself and her family to certain standards of behavior. Nothing unreasonable or mean however. When Jacqui found out her mom was ill, she and her son flew from Alberta, Canada to Newfoundland and Jacqui's husband Peter joined them soon after.
She is an excellent author and as such, I felt almost like I knew the family but of course, I don't. Jacqui communicates well the heartache and shock at hearing of the diagnosis and then seeing her mom soon after and seeing a once strong and self confident matriarch looking frail, tiring easily and yet maintaining her dignity. The author and her son and family do a wonderful job at bringing Mary to life -- even as she is getting sicker and ends up in the ICU. Her legacy will live on in the hearts of everyone that loves her. Just as my mom's will.
I would definitely recommend this book despite it being a shorter book than I'm accustomed to!
September 21, 2017
Made Me Cry
This book about a mother and daughter's last days together touched my heart. Both women faced the circumstances with honor and so much dignity. Unfortunately, I was unable to be with my mom on her last days but reading this memoir actually was a comfort. This is Ms. Tam's second book, the first chronicled her dad's battle with Alzheimer's, along with her Mom's role as caregiver. I will read that one soon as I would love to "know" more about Jacqui & her mom Mary. Jacqui wrote "Twenty-One Days in May: Standing Tall, Book Two in a tender non melodramatic manner.
This book about a mother and daughter's last days together touched my heart. Both women faced the circumstances with honor and so much dignity. Unfortunately, I was unable to be with my mom on her last days but reading this memoir actually was a comfort. This is Ms. Tam's second book, the first chronicled her dad's battle with Alzheimer's, along with her Mom's role as caregiver. I will read that one soon as I would love to "know" more about Jacqui & her mom Mary. Jacqui wrote "Twenty-One Days in May: Standing Tall, Book Two in a tender non melodramatic manner.
April 2, 2019
Each one of our lives has been touched by cancer. It is not always a family member. It can be a community member or a teacher or friend. In this case, this is an account written by a cancer survivor about her mother and an aggressive cancer that played out quickly. This is a very touching personal tribute about the final days of a mother, grandmother and dedicated nurse and teacher. It is about the things appreciated and noticed and some signs of faith.
May 20, 2018
A Healing Memoir
I read this in one sitting toward the end of my own 21 days in May and found healing from sharing a similar experience with a stranger 12 years later. Thank you for sharing your story and your mom's story. You pinpointed my feelings exactly, and I highlighted for reference to return to those phrases that will get me through this time.
I read this in one sitting toward the end of my own 21 days in May and found healing from sharing a similar experience with a stranger 12 years later. Thank you for sharing your story and your mom's story. You pinpointed my feelings exactly, and I highlighted for reference to return to those phrases that will get me through this time.
December 3, 2018
What a loving tribute
No one knows how long they have to live. Her mother was very comfortable to discuss her funeral arrangements to her daughter before she was even aware her time was approaching.
No one knows how long they have to live. Her mother was very comfortable to discuss her funeral arrangements to her daughter before she was even aware her time was approaching.
August 31, 2019
The Vicissitudes of writing
When it was good, it was very good. Some passages were outstanding. Much of the time it was murky and hard to follow, I thought. It can be read in a few days which is good if you have reading goals.
When it was good, it was very good. Some passages were outstanding. Much of the time it was murky and hard to follow, I thought. It can be read in a few days which is good if you have reading goals.
Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews