I began writing Eric's Gift when the stoic cardiologist delivered the heart-wrenching news to my husband and me that our newborn baby would not live giventhe condition of his lungs.  If there was any chance at all, he said he would need heart surgery, but he couldn't guarantee he would live through the surgery.  Eric's body was weak, his lungs were damaged and his immune system was nearly non-existent.

The utter terror and premature grief at the thought of losing my son dominated my every thought. I couldn’t bear the loss of this magnitude -- the loss of my son, the loss of the newly appointed title of Mommy, and the loss of the family unit we had just created. 

The only place to turn for relief, sense, or wisdom--however small--was my own heart. Eric’s failing heart forced mine to open--to expand and strengthen--despite my own resistance. The fear in my mind had been successful in keeping my heart protected, locked down. I’d been given the spiritual keys to unlock the love I knew was imprisoned in the form of my child and I wasn’t going to let this God-given opportunity go--at least not without a fight.   

I conversed with Eric as he lay sedated and paralyzed by drugs on life support.  I used words to free the hidden love that I would never allow myself to feel.  I promised my son that our hearts would heal and grow together. And so began Eric’s Gift.

A portion of the proceeds will go to Easter Seals.