Sisters Singing: Anthology of Blessings, Prayers & Poetry Comforts the Female Spirit

Life can be complicated and stressful, especially for women as they are expected to wear many hats and do it all with a smile.

How can women escape or accept the pressures they face? By embracing their womanhood and joining forces to support and nurture each other, we are comforted.

"Sisters Singing: Blessings, Prayers, Art, Songs, Poetry & Sacred Stories by Women" is a book that reinforces the nurturing side of all ladies in the world. This anthology calms the spirit and answers the most stressed heart.

When I read this book I was feeling overwhelmed with everything from my kids and husband, writing and conducting funerals, dealing with others' grief, professional goals, personal hopes, and household responsibilities. I read this book cover to cover over the course of a day and enjoyed every moment. It not only lifted my spirits, but also made me soar with pride for facing my responsibilities as a woman. This book made me proud of my roles at home and work.

"Sisters Singing" is an empowerment of womanhood. While it's spiritual, it's not religious. The book is an inclusive experience as it truly transcends religious boundaries that oftentimes exclude others. We all have our own spirituality and we are entitled to our own beliefs.

There is so much in this book to love that you will find yourself re-reading portions that touch your heart.

As both a daughter and mother, I was especially touched by "Ode to Mother," "Prayer for My Mother," and "A Parent´s Pledge." With each reading, you realize the importance of a woman's role in life. Whether a parent or not, we support our friends and strangers alike. Every school morning I make peanut butter and jelly sandwiches for my sons and I loved the pastel artwork by Robin Rector Krupp entitled "Peanut Butter and Jelly." It made me smile because that is my morning, every weekday morning.

In the short story "Make Tea Before Dawn" by Johanna Courtleigh, there is a great appreciation for life and the challenges we face. "A Writer's Prayer" by Sarah Jones captured the challenges of writing an original piece that captures the moments in life. It was so fitting to my work of writing an original eulogy that honors a loved one, whom I have never met but learn about through family members.

The chapter entitled "I Am Nothing Without My Dead" made me cry and yet smile through my tears. It was as if these were my experiences. "The Cup Runneth Over" by Kate Aver Avraham reminded me of my sister's last moments on Earth. Those small moments in trying to nourish someone who is dying are remembered for life. "Last Moments" by Marcy Alancraig brought me back to my father's death. While we often witness our loved ones who struggle to live, at the time of death there is a freedom to that moment. There is no more pain, no struggle, and no paralysis, only freedom to soar.

The other pieces in this section were equally as poignant including the poem entitled "The Funeral." The story of the spreading of ashes in Ohio by Libby Chaney, "Ohio," was powerful, as her mother's ashes were spread on land and her father's ashes were spread on the water. Both choices were fully honored and it was comforting. The photo of the "One Hundred Year Old Apple Tree" by Terese Armstrong was poignant to our history. I've always had a love of trees, especially old trees that carry a lifetime of stories. Later in the book when you find the photo of the "Grand Oak" by Sara Friedlander, you will want a framed copy of that photo to hang in your home.

"Life After Death" by Nancy J. Rigg was a moving read exploring the empowerment in saying goodbye, facing our own death and choosing life after death. We are all entitled to our own spiritual beliefs. The poem "If You Died" by Cheryl Gettleman was incredibly emotional as the words created photos in your mind. Exploring the 'what if you died' scenario is both a mix of reality and sadness.

Personally, one of the most unexpected reads in the book was "The Homecoming" by Sara Wright. This piece explores the discovery of her brother's ashes in the attic many years after his suicide. Her parents had lied about burying his ashes for 32 years. Can you imagine? How she finally says goodbye is a powerful, tearful read and exploration of the human spirit where the reader finds comfort. It is a part of our individual journey on how to find a way to move forward even when the rug is seemingly pulled out from under us.

Poet Barbara Thomas hits home with the poem "To My Beloved Husband of Fifty Years," as mourning turns to morning and a new dawn. For some reason, I have re-read this poem more than a dozen times since reading the book the first time. Maybe it reminds me of my mother dealing with my father's death, because as she has told me, every day is a new day but losing a spouse of many decades is not easy.

Just when you think you've discovered another emotional piece, a photograph touches you. The "Tiger Swallowtail" photo by Teresa Armstrong reminded me of my country childhood and made me smile. The Acrylic "Portal" by Barbara Thomas can be interpreted in many ways. For me, it served as a comforting scene as no one is alone as they pass into the light, wherever that may be after death. My favorite art piece was the Silkscreened Scarf entitled "Huntress" by Carmella Weintraub. Truly, it is a piece of empowerment as we reach toward our goals.

There is a sense of "Belonging" to womanhood through Acrylic and Oil Pastels by Carol Gaab. "Prayer of Thanksgiving" by Marigold Fine reinforces the gratitude women have for life. And, by the end of the book, you feel welcomed into the circle as a sister. You also feel an overwhelming sense to call or e-mail your female friends and just say thank you for their support and love.

"Sisters Singing" is a wonderful book that offers so many different levels of understanding and comfort. With the women in our lives by our sides, we are not alone.

"Sisters Singing" includes work by 135 writers, artists and musicians. Carolyn Brigit Flynn edited the book and Deena Metzger wrote the Foreword.

For more information visit www.sisterssinging.com.

Event Note: Author Deena Metzger will be joined by critically acclaimed musician Jami Seiber and eight authors at a joint poetry and music concert on Saturday, June 6, 2009, at 7:30 pm at the Unitarian Universalist Church, 12355 Moorpark, Studio City, California. Admission at the door is $15. Tickets may be purchased online at www.brownpapertickets.com.

The June 6th event is a publication celebration of the new anthology "Sisters Singing: Blessings, Prayers, Art, Songs, Poetry and Sacred Stories by Women." The editor of "Sisters Singing," poet, essayist and teacher Carolyn Brigit Flynn, a resident of Santa Cruz, Calif., will read selections from the anthology, along with Southern California-based authors Deborah Edler Brown, Daniela Wild, Nancy Rigg, Valerie Wolf/Grandmother White Bear, Lawrie Hart, Carmen Menendez, Reem Hammad and Sharon Simone.

The 2009 book tour will include readings in Los Angeles, Seattle, Portland, Washington, D.C., Philadelphia and New York.