Early Praise for “When Every Day Matters”
“In her moving book on what matters most in life, When Every Day Matters, MJ Hurley Brant confronts the unthinkable with courage, compassion and candor. This book is an exquisite evocation of life after loss.”
Sarah Ban Breathnach, author of Simple Abundance: A Daybook of Comfort and Joy and Something More: Excavating Your Authentic Self
“This is a book that will break your heart and put it back together again. This is the story of a daughter who wouldn’t give up and a mother who never lost faith. The reader can’t help but be inspired by the indomitable human spirit that resides within Mary Jane Brant.”
Larry Kirshbaum - Founder LJK Literary Management
“A stunningly moving tribute to the love shared by an exceptional mother and daughter.”
Caryn Karmatz Rudy, Executive Editor, Grand Central Publishing
“When Every Day Matters is an Intimate heartfelt and spiritual Journey into the life of a mother whose daughter has been diagnosed with a malignant brain tumor. This moving story teaches us how to live in the present moment during a very painful time and amazingly find love and appreciation in the situation. We learn how after suffering grave losses, we can successfully rebound and find new meaning in Life. I found the book to be very inspiring and full of spiritual reflections and messages. I highly recommend it.”
MarySue Lucci - President, Marastar Communications
“Success in our life is personally defined by each of us. None of us has complete control over all the challenges our individual journey will present. But, we do have control over what we do with the life we have. This powerful book brings our attention to the heroine’s journey in dramatic fashion. Learning about courageous Katie Brant will inspire each of us to discover our real purpose in life.”
Richard E. Caruso, Ph.D. - Founder and Director of The Uncommon Individual Foundation
“I was so pleased to come across this beautiful book. Ms. Brant offers us an intimate portrayal of the relationship between her and her remarkable daughter, Katie. She writes of the long journey they shared during the sickness and eventual death of Katie from pediatric brain cancer. This book is a triumph in its contribution to anyone dealing with a serious loss. As a Marriage and Family Therapist, I have had many opportunities to recommend this book to my clients. It serves as a useful and poignant handbook to help us navigate the lonely, and often, scary territory of personal loss. Thank you, Ms. Brant, for opening your soul in the service of others.”
Patricia Williamson, Marriage and Family Therapist
“I read When Every Day Matters in one night. It was riveting, anguishing, infuriating, and stunning. Mary Jane Hurley Brant has helped people to feel through their souls the profound psychic consequences and the honest difficulties that we all have with others when we are torn apart by suffering. This book is gut built, iron work of the soul. It is magnificent.”
Virginia Paske, New Jersey Doctoral Candidate
“When words often fail and the pain finds no relief, this book is the answer. This is one of those rare books that can take on such pain and find meaning and inspiration. It takes an extraordinary person and psychotherapist to accomplish what Mary Jane Hurley Brant did and with such grace! Well done!”
Robert Gordon, Ph.D. - Author of I love You Madly and Psychodynamic Diagnostic Manual (PDM)
“There is a book I worked on recently written by MJ Brant, When Every Day Matters, that is such a beautiful book it brought tears to my eyes….There are many passages and writings that I think any parent or loved one will not only relate to, but be so very moved by Mary Jane’s heart-pouring account of her daughter’s illness.”
Book Designer, Sue - www.JustYourType.biz
“When Every Day Matters is a self-help novel for people struggling with the loss of a loved one. This book has an atmosphere of teaching, peace, psychology and spirituality in learning that time is our only friend.”
Terry Lee Kaly, CEO - Big Brothers/Big Sisters West Palm Beach, Florida
“This beautiful memoir by Mary Jane Hurley Brant offers powerful psychological insight into life’s most difficult issues. When Every Day Matters is a compelling and important story, which reads like a novel, about her dynamic and heroic daughter who was diagnosed with a brain tumor at age 18. The wisdom, intimacy, psychology, insight, and friendship this book offers will help readers survive their own sorrows and personal losses. It will give them new-found strength to discover their joy once again.”
Lennie Perrott, M.S., Licensed Psychologist
“I was compelled - could not stop reading When Every Day Matters. I think that Mary Jane Hurley Brant and her story will help and comfort people in similar circumstances to feel held and not so alone. That’s worth a whole lot.”
Linda Carter, R.N., M.S.W., Jungian Analyst
“As the mother of three children, I approached this book with fear but with the trust that the author, a renowned psychotherapist would treat the reader with care, respect and with an authentic experience in relaying the deeply painful story of the loss of her daughter. I did not believe I could bear to share the pain of a mother’s worst nightmare. Instead, I learned about the life of an extraordinary young woman for whom 5 brain surgeries and her encroaching mortality were not enough to dissuade her joyful and contagious pursuit of her life purpose - to help children diagnosed with brain tumors. For her mother, the choice to put aside her own terror, to embrace her daughter’s indomitable spirit and to make a way for her daughter’s compelling life vision constituted amazing selflessness and unconditional love.
I am only an ordinary woman, a mother. Am I capable of rearing an extraordinary child and then releasing her not only to her dreams but to her death? We learn in this book that all things are, indeed, possible and that the strength and grace we need to triumph over anything is within us. Mary Jane guides us here.
I have recommended this book to mothers and fathers, a brain surgeon and to children of parents who love them more than life. This book will change any reader who doubts the reservoir of grace that waits to be summoned in each of us.”
Michele Maddox
“An Intimate Journey where Mary Jane Hurley Brant invites us to share an intimate and courageous journey into the heart of a mother’s love for her child. What do we do when the unthinkable happens? How do we cope? Where do we find the strength to make every day matter? We the reader, like Mary Jane, will discover our understanding of life and love is forever changed and deepened.”
Robert F. Carr, M.D.
“Katie Brant’s life was like a comet that briefly but brilliantly illuminated the lives of all who were touched by her light. In the wake of this light, Katie left a legacy of love - a love of family, friends and life. In the end, what remains is the memory of an enduring love, a great light and a magnificent life.This book, When Every Day Matters, captures her spirit in a powerful and beautiful way.”
Ray Hansell, President
Montangelica Fund
A touching, wonderful, must read. From the minute you start reading this incredible memoir, you will not want to put it down. Mary Jane Hurley Brant shares both incredulous details of her daughter’s battle with brain cancer, and also inspiring stories about how to cope with loss. I was so moved at many points throughout the book, and found the “reflections” so useful. If you seek to make your life more meaningful, you will appreciate every page of this wonderful book.”
Caroline Toedtman Brant, Skippack, PA
“I could not put this book down! Reading about Katie’s life as well as her bravery and moxy while dealing with terminal illness is so very powerful and heartwarming. I found the author’s addition of inspirational quotes and looking back reflections to be extremely comforting. I have personally suffered multiple family losses over a very short period of time. We can only bury our sorrow and grief for so long. Every day really does matter! Life goes on …..with sorrow, memories and new experiences. When Every Day Matters will bring comfort to anyone who has suffered from loss.”
Margaret M. Rose, R.N. President, Clinical Alternative Specialists
“When Every Day Matters is an absolutely beautiful book. It will be a source of great strength for so many people. It is a great source of strength for me.”
Jonathan L. Finlay, M.D., Children’s Hospital Los Angeles, CA
“In When Every Day Matters Mary Jane Brant guides the reader down her painful path of love and grief over the death on her 28 year old daughter, Katie. After a diagnosis of a malignant brain tumor, the author uncovers her deepest fears about Katie, herself and other family members. Weaving the story of Katie’s life with that of her own brings an authentic dimension to this sensitive work. Anyone would feel privileged to read about this mother’s sacred space, but for those parents who have lost a child, it is essential reading.”
Mary Rose Nuse, Author of Chapters: One American Woman’s Story, Hospice Worker
“Katie’s story is a sacred journey that will touch the heart of all. The love of this family in crisis is matched only by the wisdom and strength of their beloved Katie.”
Rose O’Rourke, R.N.
“Inspiring narrative for anyone who has suffered the loss of a loved one. Mary Jane Hurley Brant reveals intimate details concerning the loss of her daughter, Katie, to brain cancer. She shares both joy and sorrow, letting the reader know that they are not alone, she understands. Her professional viewpoints and personal wisdom are invaluable. A must read!”
E. Weidner, Phila., PA
“This is an amazing and inspirational book which will help any reader gain a new perspective on life’s hardships as provided by the powerful example in the life of Katie Brant and her mother Mary Jane Hurley Brant. There is something in this book for everyone; mothers, daughters, fathers, those who are grieving, therapists and friends. You will smile and cry, and close the book feeling a profound sense of hope about life.
Mother/Therapist, NJ
Fourteen years after my father’s passing, with this book, I have finally found a way to understand my own complex feelings of grief as well as those of my mother. Mary Jane Hurley Brant’s heartfelt, raw and touching story of her beautiful daughter’s sojourn provides a gateway to understanding the unconditional love, loss and the inevitable journey back to life and joy. This book will help you understand some of your own feelings, thoughts and actions as well as those of others during unfamiliar and unconscionable circumstances. MJ’s style is conversational, heartfelt and awash with honesty and pure love. This book is sure to change the world…I know it has already changed mine
Sue Urda, Co-Founder and CEO , “Powerful You! Women’s Network”
There is pain and suffering between these pages but spirit and inspiration as well. Mary Jane Hurley Brant is an amazing writer who is filled with perception. Her candor is astonishing. Katie and Mary Jane are courageous and invincible. This book will bring comfort and support to those who are coping with the loss of a child.
Maryrose Nelson, Friend, Admirer, Hospice Volunteer
I could not put this book down once I started to read it. I purchased it with a friend in mind to give it to who lost her daughter four years ago and is having a hard time dealing with it. I wanted to read the book first to make sure that it would be appropriate for the situation. What I found was that it helped me to deal with some of the losses I have suffered in my own life. The book took me outside of myself and helped me to feel empathy better for others who suffer from grief and loss. It is hard to know what to say to someone who has dealt with the loss of a child or other loved one. I think that the author was very helpful with her own insights to teach me how to be more supportive to others when I am called on to be of help to them. Thank you for writing this book MJ, and know that your beautiful and inspiring daughter will always be in my thoughts, and your family will be in my prayers.
Julianne G. Baumann, Seattle, WA
For those who’ve suffered loss of any kind and need help in finding the meaning in it and the inspiration to get through it, this is the book to read. Kudos to Mary Jane Hurley Brant for sharing her story with all its pain, humor and beauty, and for shining brilliant light into the darkness of great tragedy, helping us all too see more clearly.
J. Linn, NJ
I realize now I needed that book, have needed it, I just didn’t know it. And more than that, what was striking is how much you have to share from all this pain about so many things in all of our lives. True wisdom born of candor and honest dealing. It’s a book about so many things brought into focus by you, and Katie, that many struggle with their whole lives and never see. I hope it, and Katie’s Kids For the Cure, get a lot of support - both really deserve it.
Hunter Heaney, Agoro, Uganda
I lost my 35 year old daughter almost two years ago after a long fight with Leukemia….I never expected to lose this last battle, but I did. In shock, I began reading books upon books until I realized none of them helped, comforted, or even related to what I was feeling at the time. Only a mother who has been there would know of these feelings. Ms. Brant’s book, when Every Day Matters, is just what it says ….I have never read a book written with such emotion and truthfulness as this one. I read a vast number of books that told of the feelings experienced when you lose a loved one, but in pretty much generic terms. Mary Jane Hurley Brant actually let you into her life and her thoughts.
C. M. Graniero, Florida
I am a bereaved parent whose daughter Jeannine died over seven years ago at the age of 18 after a 10 month battle with cancer. I truly identified with Mary Jane Hurley Brant and her family’s emotional roller coaster that was Katie’s illness and the raw emotion associated with the death of a child. Throughout the book, I felt like I knew Katie all of my life because I got to know her through Mary Jane’s eyes. Her book was heartfelt, straightforward and honest. Mary Jane’s book offers not only honors her daughter’s legacy but is a message of hope for bereaved parents and other individuals who have experienced catastrophic loss.
I would highly recommend this book to anyone who has experienced the death of a child.
David J. Roberts, Father/Therapist