I Can See Clearly Now: A Memoir About Love, Grief, and Gratitude

by Peggy Doherty DeLong

How One Woman Harnessed the Power of Love and Gratitude to Heal and GrowPeggy DeLong, a young woman engaged to a wonderful man, is about to begin her doctoral program in psychology. Life feels incredibly sweet. Then, out of the blue, her strong, vibrant fiancé is diagnosed with cancer. The prognosis is grim. With raw emotion, Peggy describes how she cared for the love of her life and proceeded with their wedding plans, all while fearing his death. In this memoir, you will witness a journey of love and gratitude, where even a cup of hazelnut coffee can bring joy during the darkest of days. And just when Peggy feels that she cannot fathom another loss, life slaps her with another unexpected blow. Mourn and laugh as Peggy takes you on her journey, sharing lessons she learned through her own grieving process. Despite the sadness, Peggy’s book offers hope, humor, inspiration, and a poignant love story that will lift your spirits with promise, helping you believe there is more to this life than you can see and that love never dies.

182 pages, Kindle Edition

Published March 12, 2019

Reviews

[Kathleen · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was so powerful and moving. I could barely put it down! Her courage to tell this story is astounding and the intimate look inside her relationships made you feel as though you'd been through the crisis and tragedy alongside her.
I can't recommend this enough.

[Ann E · Rating 5 out of 5]

High Praise for “I can see clearly now”! I absolutely loved the book! It gripped my attention from the first page. I found I couldn’t put it down because I was so interested to find out what was going to happen next. The main character, Peggy, goes through some personal struggles when her fiance is diagnosed with cancer. The book illustrates an intimate portrait of Peggy’s life journey through stages of love, denial, grief, hope and finally happiness. The characters are highly relatable and there are twists in the plot which were surprising and unpredictable. I found myself crying along side Peggy at some points of the book and whooping with delight with her in others. Without giving away too much of the plot, “I can see clearly now” is a book about love and hope. It made me think about my own life differently. My relationships. My sacrifices. My hopes. I highly recommend this book as a “MUST READ" and plan to use it for my next book club! Happy Reading!

[Julie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Peggy opens her big heart and shares her joy and devastation in equal measure. Her memoir is an authentic, raw, painful (at times) story of love and loss. I particularly resonated with the love between mother and daughter in this book. Peggy's mom, Carol, is her bedrock...a consistent and vital part of Peggy's life story. I like to think that Carol’s extraordinary mothering inspired Peggy in her relationship with her children, a connection infused with empathy and a belief that love will win. In this memoir, Peggy started her young adulthood as a compassionate, loving, kind person and blossomed into a wise, wounded healer. There's no question that the world is a better and kinder place because Peggy is in it.”

[Jenny Colman · Rating 5 out of 5]

Peggy’s memoir is an authentic and revealing account of two devastating losses in the life of a young woman. One chronicles the trials associated with helping a lover cope with a prolonged illness ending in death, and the other describes the shock of sudden, unexpected death. Her description of the emotional toll each loss took on her is not sugar coated; it is open, honest, and raw. Anyone struggling with the pain that comes from witnessing human suffering and/or death will find her story relatable. It is an example of how one can move forward at one’s own pace, a pace that will always be unique to the individual. In the end, it is a story of love, patience, resilience. It will be a source of hope for anyone struggling to live when important others have died.

[Linda Moakler · Rating 5 out of 5]

In her book and her life, Dr. Peggy Delong proves that distance, time, best-laid plans, and even death are no match for love. Love and gratitude endure and will always find a way to brighten the darkest of hours with a wink of an eye or a cup of hazelnut coffee. What starts out as a simple bike ride on a bright sunshiny day unfolds into a gentle, passionate, and “butterflies in your tummy” kind of love story that holds true even in death. Peggy’s vulnerability, honesty and strength to be open to love again are palpable and brave. I read it in one sitting with my box of tissues. This book is a must read for anyone who has experienced loss of any kind. Here comes the sun. –Linda Ramsay Moakler, author of “Paper Flowers,” published by The Mighty

[Kim Albertson · Rating 5 out of 5]

I just finished I Can See Clearly Now by Peggy DeLong. This book of love and loss and the journey of recovery gave me such hope. In this book, DeLong talks about a love that many people only dream of and the incomprehensible heartbreak that occurs with loss. On every page, I questioned why this was happening, and I wondered how much more she could take. Thankfully, DeLong shared how when life becomes overwhelming, following the path of hope and faith can lead to healing, change, and newfound love. The writing is gentle and comforting. As a reader, you feel as though Peggy is the girl next door, and you are there as a friend, helping her move through her story.

[Andrea · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of the most inspiring things about Dr. Peggy Doherty DeLong's book, I Can See Clearly Now: A Memoir About Love, Grief, and Gratitude, is the vulnerability she shows in sharing her story. Moving through grief is not a graceful process and it is one of the most difficult things any of us will ever do. DeLong's honesty about her own journey through grief will be helpful to all who read this book as two of its many inspirational messages are that we each have the right to experience grief in our own individual ways and we each have the power inside of us to move through our grief and find love again. Bravo, Dr. DeLong! This is a magnificent book!

[Deirdre Mahon · Rating 5 out of 5]

Just finished reading this inspirational book.
As a widow myself, and also losing my dad, I related to a lot in this book.
But the take away is the hope, the inspiration, and the truth that if you want to love again, if you want to live and heal, YOU CAN. Its never about totally letting go of our loved ones, its about tucking them safe in your heart, keeping their spirit and memories with you always, but knowing that you can live, love and laugh again.
Beautifully written, have the Kleenex nearby.

[Kris Ledonne · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love this book- you will too. After Peggy shared her story with me one day over a cup of hazelnut coffee, I knew I couldn't wait to read this book and I felt like I was reliving this right along with her. She inspires her reader to persevere through her celebration of love and practice of gratitude. Anyone experiencing loss will be encouraged that there's hope, healing and joy in spite of enormous grief. It's clear to see why she's called the "Gratitude Psychologist." Give yourself this gift, this story will bless anyone who takes time to receive it.

[Robyn Levy · Rating 5 out of 5]

LOVED! LOVED! LOVED! I literally could not put it down. It is a great story that is very easy to relate to. Even though I knew the story line, I still found myself gripped to the book. Her vivid descriptions of her relationship with her fiancee had me cheering for love and crying for her all at the same time!! A true story that there is hope and love out there for everyone who believes! It will have you believing too!

[Julie · Rating 5 out of 5]

What Dr. Peggy Doherty Delong does with her memoir, "I CAN SEE CLEARLY NOW" is remarkable. She invites you to share her journey of love, grief and gratitude as if she were sitting next to you telling a story. There is a tenderness on every page that pulls you in. DeLong does not gloss over grief. She paints it as it is - raw and heartbreaking. However, she carries you through it with "love" so you will not want to put the book down. When "hope" shows up, you will be cheering through the tears.

[Kathy Connolly · Rating 5 out of 5]

I Can See Clearly Now is a book of love lost and love found. A memoir of a young woman discovering what her heart could endure. Having experienced loss at a very young age myself, I found her journey to strengthen my belief that through our losses we gain more kindness, understanding and love. An excellent read from an amazing author. Highly recommended.

[Carol · Rating 5 out of 5]

When I think of Peggy writing this book, I’m reminded of Cicero’s famous quote, "Not for ourselves alone are we born." Peggy shares her very personal story with others in the hope that it will allow us to know that someone else has felt bone-aching despair and learns to honor that past while creating a precious and blessed NOW.

[Nicole Smith · Rating 5 out of 5]

Dr. Peggy DeLong gives the reader a raw and honest account of love and loss as she watches her fiance succumb to a devastating cancer diagnosis as a young twentysomething. 25 years later their courtship comes to life in this memoir and shows us that love and growth are possible despite significant setbacks if you start with gratitude and welcome love into your life.

[Alexandra Quinn · Rating 5 out of 5]

Dr. DeLong’s book is masterfully crafted, simply told, and relatable to all readers, with a powerful message on living life with purpose. Whether you’re looking for a beautiful story to read, or guidance on living a more meaningful life, this book is an absolute must read. Share with loved ones and buckle up book club readers! This book is for you!”

[Rona · Rating 1 out of 5]

I found this book to be a whine. Her story of love lost is sad but- hey things happen. Get over it. Move on. I read this for a book club and cannot for the life of me see where the discussion can go. Its her story. Nothing to discuss here in my opinion.

[Kanani L. · Rating 5 out of 5]

A great reminder of the power of love and how love can overcome adversity. Peggy shares her deeply personal story of love and loss. I was moved by Peggy's courage to push forward and trust in the beauty of life and love once again. It's a great read!

[Christine Corrigan · Rating 4 out of 5]

A lovely reflection on loss and love, on grief and gratitude, on finding love after losing love.

[Suz · Rating 4 out of 5]

very well written.