"Letting Go and New Beginnings: A Mother's Poetic Journey" is a compelling, personal story told through insightful, accessible poetry and evocative photographs in support of parents whose teens are leaving home. Intended to encourage family understanding, heal rifts, and ease the pain of separation, it gives voice to a swirling complexity of emotions. Sharing these sometimes funny, sometimes bittersweet poems may help family relationships grow closer, deeper, and richer. You may also become more aware of how your parents felt in letting you go.
International Book Award Finalist, (E-Book Autobiography/ Biography/ Memoir)
Global E-Book Awards Honorable Mention, (Parenting/ Family Non-Fiction)
"It's the story of loving and letting go, the bittersweet feeling all parents feel, all people feel when our cherished ones start to move on. I found the poems to be beautiful and timely-mirroring the transition I find myself in now-letting go, new beginnings. I also love how the imagery of the photographs expresses and compliments the intentions of the poems."-Karen Gottlieb
..".very reflective and takes some of us back on our own journey, yet inspirational for those about to embark on the journey. There was a section 'to my daughter' that I clipped for my daughter to read. I also found myself laughing out loud as I read some parts. Well done!"-Lena Dobbs-Johnson
"Margaret's poems are always personal, yet universal, in that any sensitive reader will be able to identify with the thoughts they embody ... lyrical ... concise and still as elaborate as prose .... This particular anthology focuses on letting go of your children 'when their hours are no longer woven into the fabric of your days.' [She] not just gives voice to feelings that are often repressed, but sincerely seeks to heal. Above all this is a labor of love from a...loving mother, adorned with words from the heart and simple photographs that complement the words beautifully. I highly recommend this book... to all sensitive readers who are working on letting go in any way."-Pramod Uday
A Poem From "Letting Go and New Beginnings" 2/24/08After You LeftConstantlyI am watching out for you.Even when I am not watching, I am watching.I cannot say why this is trueor when it began, it feels like forevermy love.So do me a great favorand become...not less carefreenor less careless, nor even more careful, for being full of careis not it exactly.Be more aware of your choices, more in tune with your inner wisdom.For you are wise dear one.And if I am selfishand want you to stay with mewhen it is clearly time to go, forgive... and go.Call me when you arrive.I will be waiting.Margaret Dubay Mikus(c) 2008
About the Author: Margaret Dubay Mikus grew up in suburbs of Detroit, the second of seven children. She earned a Ph.D. in Microbiology from the University of Chicago in 1982, headed for a promising career in molecular genetics research and teaching. Life had other plans. Many people came to help as she embarked on a path of deep healing, personal growth, and spiritual reconnection. In 1995 healing from multiple sclerosis cracked open her creativity. Unexpectedly this led her to begin a poetic journal to "sing from the heart." A year later came her first breast cancer diagnosis. Other serious illnesses followed over the years. Writing became essential, allowing her to process, assess, remember, and share her hard-won insights. She is now a poet, singer, healer, photographer, and storyteller. Her three award-winning books have encouraged many people to make positive life changes. On her CD, "Full Blooming: Selections from a Poetic Journal," she read selected poems and sang three original songs. Margaret met Stephen Mikus in an English class when they were students at the University of Michigan in Ann Arbor. They have been married since 1974 and have two grown children. More about her and her work is on FullBlooming.com.
