ABOUT THE TWELVE GIFTS OF BIRTH
"I
can't type for long. My six-month baby girl, Alexandra, is in the next room and I
don't like to leave her alone for too long. She is hooked up to a ventilator.
She just came home for the first time last week. She is a precious gift to me and
my husband. I was just lying on the floor of her room, taking a nap with her on my
chest. After a phone call woke us, I started reading to her. I was reading The
Twelve Gifts to her and had tears in my eyes before I was done. I will continue to
read it to her all her life, and probably will cry more. She is a strong and
courageous baby girl, and has only begun to learn about all of her gifts. The book
is a gift to us, and she is a gift to me, and will be a gift to this world, I am certain,
as she grows. Thank you for this beautiful piece of art. The words are
extremely meaningful. Continue to spread the message!" -- Sincerely,
Marisa
"I want
to thank you for the wonderful gift that you have given me and other survivors of
abuse. I fell in love with your book The Twelve Gifts of Birth
the first time I saw
it. I am currently in therapy working through the hurts of the past. Your book
gives me the courage to continue therapy and it helps me to know I am special in many
different ways. The page that begins 'At the wondrous moment you were born,' brings
tears to my eyes EVERY time I read it. Thank you so much!!" -- Liz
"Your
book deeply touched my soul. It has such a meaningful and clear message of dignity
and hope for us all." -- Connie
"What a
beautiful book! The Twelve Gifts of Birth is a simple but powerful message. I
intend to read it to children." Wally Amos (Famous Amos)
"When I
read your book it gave me goose bumps." -- Tonya
"I am a
schoolteacher and feel that instilling a strong sense of self worth is one of the most
important things I can do for my students. Your book helped me to do that this past
school year. Before I read it aloud, I wondered if they would enjoy it as much as I
had. Fifth graders, just beginning adolescence, are hard to predict. They were
spellbound! -- Gigi Dhindsa
"I
love this book. It touched me deeply and I've seen
it affect others. I gave a copy to a 13-year-old
boy I tutor. Both he and his mom cherish it so
much, they read it together and discuss its message
everyday. I highly recommend The Twelve Gifts of
Birth." -- Mary Lee South
"Had to
share my experience after reading your powerful words. I was 7 months pregnant when
I came across your book at a local Hallmark and thanks to your worlds and my hormones I
found myself crying in the middle of the shop. Thanks for putting into words what
all people are capable of." -- Tracy W.
"The
Twelve Gifts of Birth offers a healing, life affirming message. It is no wonder that
many children and adults are deeply touched by it. I highly recommend it." --
Gerald G. Jampolsky, author
"The children
are still talking about your visit and the message in your book. You have made a
lifelong impression." -- Paula Knouse, KidsPeace
"These
gifts are the wealth of the soul. I was moved to tears when I read it and recognized
my own gifts and even more so when I read it to the children who have been labeled as
hopeless. I watched their eyes brighten and their spirits lift as they heard the
powerful gifts that lie dormant inside of them." -- Momma Hawk, Founder, Recovering
Gifted Child Academy
"The
Twelve Gifts of Birth helped me to realize how valuable I am as a unique human being and
then to realize that my children, my 9-year-old son and 4-year-old daughter, need to know
how gifted they are." -- Linda R.
"Your
book touched me in a special way. I bought it for a dear friend who spent years
trying to conceive. She now has a beautiful daughter and I wanted to give her a
special gift. I did - your book. It has a message that is imperative for every
child to know. If they did, the world would be a better place." -- Tracy K
"I love
the picture in your book of small rocks...when my sixteen year old daughter was diagnosed
with Hodgkin's Disease I felt as though my life was fractured. Nine years of
chemotherapy, radiation and surgery were a success. We fought. We won.
Small steps, one by one, often minute by minute taught us NEVER, NEVER, NEVER give
up! Thank you so much - what you are doing is being measure." -- Aileen K.
"I
recently lost my sister to cancer and a brother to an accident. I too have dreams
about making a difference in the world and cherishing what is precious in my life.
Thank you for making me remember my dreams." -- Vicki A.
"The
gift of faith was really tested by our family when our daughter developed cancer. I
am giving the book to her brother who felt it was his fault because he had not prayed
enough. He is now 38 years old. Thank you." -- B. Stephens
"Someone very special to me told me the other day that his mother told him he was a
'mistake'. Can you believe it? Then yesterday I was listening to the news and
heard about your book. Somebody knew I needed to hear about your message so I could
share it with him. This is a 'must have' for everybody, for all ages." --
Carol C.
"Your
book certainly hits home with me, as I have a 15-year-old son with Down syndrome.
Ever since he was born I felt that whatever I 'gave' him he would return to me two-fold
and he has. Thank you for your wonderful book!" -- Marianne H.
"I read
about your book in the newspaper and knew I had to have it. I just read it and it is
even more beautiful that I anticipated. Your words go right to the heard." --
Julie W.
ABOUT THE TWELVE GIFTS FOR HEALING
"I
highly recommend this book! Any age or issue from physical
healing to everyday problems. The book reads in a matter of a
few minutes. Its message will resonate with you all day. It
reunited me with my heart, and a willingness to be my authentic
self. The message is simple, yet POWERFUL. It re-acquainted me
with what I've always known though forgot to remember. And,
gives me permission (and a responsibility) to 'go within' on a
regular basis. For if 'We don't go within, we go without'. (I
don't know who to credit for that saying).
Charlene, you are an angel on earth. May you receive the
blessings you give to others."
Gerri Anne Armstrong (Michigan)
"Comfort and Courage ...
This is an exceptionally beautiful and touching book. My
daughter is being treated for non-Hodgkin's lymphoma and The
Twelve Gifts for Healing brought comfort and courage to her, my
cancer patient friends and to me."
Diane K. (Scottsdale, AZ)
"Truly Inspiring -
While reading this book I actually was talking to myself ,
saying things about how nice but simple the whole presentation
was, but then.....suddenly the complex and powerful, deep
meaning had an overwhelming effect on me. I have Lymphoma and
had just finished not so fun chemotherapy. My background as a
college football player gave me the strength and courage to put
up a strong fight and deal with the many side affects chemo
creates. I knew I needed to have a very positive outlook to whip
this thing and everyone felt I had it under control. Never
missed a day of work, came in, in the afternoons, after
treatments in the mornings. But the Twelve Gifts for Healing
made me realize in order to heal I had to believe not just act.
It made me realize I needed to release the bitterness and anger
that I still harbored internally. I have a quote that came to
mind: 'Bitterness consumes the capsule that contains it' Twelve Gifts
allowed me to release these feelings and actually forgive myself
for becoming sick. Yes I felt guilty, must have deserved it
somehow, I thought. This is truly a great book that delivers a
powerful message and I hope many others are fortunate enough to
experience it's healing inspiration."
Cary
(Dallas,
TX)
“This book is a
blessing, an inspiration, and an act of beauty and reverence.”
Joan Borysenko, PhD.
-
Author of
Minding the Body, Mending the Mind
“A magnificent
gift. Let it open and heal your heart.”
Christiane Northrup, M.D.
-
Author of
Women’s Bodies, Women’s Wisdom
ABOUT THE TWELVE GIFTS IN MARRIAGE
“The many years
of wisdom that is contained within this book can be life
changing. It is not only a fun book, but by living out its
contents, your relationship with your spouse can be transformed.
Life will be richer, deeper, and more fulfilling. This is wisdom
that everyone needs to hear over and over again!”
–
Dr. Gary Smalley, author of
The DNA of Relationships
"Wow! Share This Book With Your Friends!, The Twelve Gifts in Marriage is an insightful gift to everyone
and a delight to read. It unveils the mystery of having a happy,
healthy and successful relationship. Read this book with someone
you Love!"
Larry James (Scottsdale, AZ CelebrateLove.com)
"The perfect gift to newlyweds, The
story and messages in The Twelve Gifts of Marriage are so
important that I give this book, along with a crystal to hang in
the window, (as suggested in the story) to all my wedding
couples."
L. Basler,
(ordained minister,
Webster, WI)
"The important side of marriage -
Although the 'gifts' of marriage sound simplistic, they are,
indeed, the basis of every marriage. If couples would review
these at least weekly, perhaps they could keep the lines of
discussion open and honest."
J. Clancy
(Connecticut)
"Depicted in
beautiful photographs and illustrations, then told through the
metaphor of an elderly and a youthful couple, The Twelve Gifts
in Marriage, authored by Charlene Costanzo, shares wisdom culled
from her 35-year marriage. A marriage can be filled with love,
joy and the possibility of all life has to offer. The Twelve
Gifts in Marriage is a present to share. A marriage relationship
is a gift from GOD. What is your gift [marriage] saying to GOD?"
Valder Beebe (Valder Beebe Show,
Dallas, Texas)
"It is best if you have read THE TWELVE GIFTS OF
BIRTH before reading THE TWELVE GIFTS IN MARRIAGE. It extends
the realization that it is up to you to recognize these
wonderful gifts in you and your partner so that you can
appreciate the depth of the relationship. Focus on the gifts,
not at human weaknesses."
The
Flower Lady
"Life is ordinary, it has its ebb and flow. Loving makes it
extraordinary. This book holds the simple secrets of sustaining
life-long loving. The story reminds couples to use twelve
inherent gifts to keep their love alive through the course of
their marriage. As a therapist, I keep this book in the waiting
room to share with waiting clients. I use it as an assignment
for couples to read helping them find their way back to each
other. I gift it to newlyweds so they can remember the daily
practice of magical acts that will nurture real love."
Diana W. Baysinger, LMFT
Marriage and Family Therapist
Private Practice (Tempe, AZ.)
"WOW! The story, the pictures, and especially the ending with the
couples comments. My eyes were not only reading but tearing as I
reviewed the 41 yrs. my 'Bride', and I have spent together. The
bonds of marriage are so important, in ups and downs, through the
years and this book does it all. Should be mandatory reading for
ALL couples of any age especially those about to embark into the
life of marriage. MAY THIS BOOK STAY IN CIRCULATION FOR YEARS TO
COME." Ed Valvano (Marco Island, FL)
“A dozen marvelous insights into the magic of marriage. This
book itself is a gift to married couples everywhere.” – Gregory
J.P. Godek, author of
1001 Ways to Be Romantic
