Authors: Patti Hill
Seeing Things
Seeing Things
is a delight for the senses. Patti Hill is gifted with the ability to provide a colorful illustration with words, in which I could see better through the eyes of an older woman with macular degeneration than I can see through my own eyes. The story is honest about family struggles, filled with realistic characters and gentle humorâa literary treat.
is a delight for the senses. Patti Hill is gifted with the ability to provide a colorful illustration with words, in which I could see better through the eyes of an older woman with macular degeneration than I can see through my own eyes. The story is honest about family struggles, filled with realistic characters and gentle humorâa literary treat.
âHannah Alexander,
author of
A Killing Frost
and the Hideaway series
A Killing Frost
and the Hideaway series
What a joyful adventure this was! In
Seeing Things,
Patti Hill has created the most wonderful traveling companion: Birdie Wainwright, a plucky, funny, deliciously foolish, wondrously wise grandmother with macular degeneration and hallucinations of Huckleberry Finn. Mix her in with a well-meaning dog, a lovesick pharmacist, and a family much too uppity for its britches, and you've got a tender, soul-stirring novel that will make you smile long after you turn the last page.
Seeing Things,
Patti Hill has created the most wonderful traveling companion: Birdie Wainwright, a plucky, funny, deliciously foolish, wondrously wise grandmother with macular degeneration and hallucinations of Huckleberry Finn. Mix her in with a well-meaning dog, a lovesick pharmacist, and a family much too uppity for its britches, and you've got a tender, soul-stirring novel that will make you smile long after you turn the last page.
âKathleen Popa,
author of
To Dance in the Desert
and
To Dance in the Desert
and
The Feast of Saint Bertie
Patti Hill has created a quirky bunch of characters and dropped them into a fascinating story world where nothing is too far-fetched in her delightful novel
Seeing Things.
Thoroughly engaging from start to finish.
Seeing Things.
Thoroughly engaging from start to finish.
âSharon K. Souza, author of
Lying on Sunday
Lying on Sunday
At times ticklish and charming (oh, that Huck Finn!), at other times deeply moving, Patti Hill's
Seeing Things
kept the pages turning despite the hour. This grandmother's quest to put her family on the mat and lower them through the ceiling of pain and past mistakes, right to Jesus's feet, is a tale I could read again and again.
Seeing Things
kept the pages turning despite the hour. This grandmother's quest to put her family on the mat and lower them through the ceiling of pain and past mistakes, right to Jesus's feet, is a tale I could read again and again.
âTamara Leigh
author of
Faking Grace
and
Leaving Carolina
Faking Grace
and
Leaving Carolina
Seeing Things
skillfully weaves together the hard reality of afflictions with the whimsical side of life. While captivated by entertaining episodes, profound insights seep into your soulâsetbacks don't have to defeat us, troubles don't need to bring gloom, and physical afflictions can usher in adventures rather than limitations.
skillfully weaves together the hard reality of afflictions with the whimsical side of life. While captivated by entertaining episodes, profound insights seep into your soulâsetbacks don't have to defeat us, troubles don't need to bring gloom, and physical afflictions can usher in adventures rather than limitations.
âJanet Perez Eckles,
International Christian speaker and author
International Christian speaker and author
Wise, sassy Birdie is anything but your predictable, sweet little old lady. Although her eyesight fails her, Birdie has a heart as big as Montana with which she sees what most people around her cannot. Patti Hill's warm, funny, smart, and deeply satisfying novel,
Seeing Things,
invites us to close our eyes and see what can't be seen, mend what can't be reconciled, and persevere with those we've been given to love.
Seeing Things,
invites us to close our eyes and see what can't be seen, mend what can't be reconciled, and persevere with those we've been given to love.
âMarilyn Hilton,
author of
The Christian Girl's Guide to Your Mom
author of
The Christian Girl's Guide to Your Mom
Seeing Things
is the touching story of a mother's love for her family flawlessly told by a master storyteller. Patti Hill weaves touch of whimsy into the lives of her characters and leaves you longing for one more capricious afternoon spent in their presence.
is the touching story of a mother's love for her family flawlessly told by a master storyteller. Patti Hill weaves touch of whimsy into the lives of her characters and leaves you longing for one more capricious afternoon spent in their presence.
âDebbie Fuller Thomas,
author of
Tuesday Night at the Blue Moon
author of
Tuesday Night at the Blue Moon
Patti Hill has done it again! Fall into a world where all is not as it seems, or is it?
Seeing Things
is a feast for the eyesâand a delicious tale of love redeemed and the strength of God and family with the occasional visit from Huck Finn thrown in for good measure. From the first page to the last, this book will not disappoint.
Seeing Things
is a feast for the eyesâand a delicious tale of love redeemed and the strength of God and family with the occasional visit from Huck Finn thrown in for good measure. From the first page to the last, this book will not disappoint.
Kathleen Y'Barbo, author of
Beloved Castaway
and
Beloved Captive
Beloved Castaway
and
Beloved Captive
Copyright © 2009 by Patti Hill
All rights reserved.
Printed in the United States of America
978-0-8054-4751-4
Published by B&H Publishing Group
Nashville, Tennessee
Author is represented by Books & Such Literary Agency, Janet Kobobel Grant, 52 Mission Circle, Suite 122, PMB 170, Santa Rosa, CA 95409-5370, www.booksandsuch.biz.
Dewey Decimal Classification: F
Subject Heading: APPARITIONSâFICTION \ MACULAR DEGENERATIONâFICTION \ FAITHâFICTION
Scripture used is taken from the New International Version (NIV), copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984 by International Bible Society. Also used is KJV, King James Version.
Publisher's Note: This novel is a work of fiction. Names, places, and incidents are either products of the author's imagination or used fictitiously. Although one character is based on historical account, all other characters are fictional, and any similarity to people living or dead is purely coincidental.
Dedication
Geoff and Mattâ
You're still opening my eyes to wonders beyond my seeing.
Contents
Acknowledgments
Dennis, my beloved husband, best friend, cheerleader, and patron. Your love keeps me grounded and free to fly. You're my hero, babe.
Janet Kobobel Grant, agent and friend, thanks for saying what I need to hear. We'll always have Sonoma!
The creative folks at B&H Publishing Fiction Group made
Seeing Things
a beautiful reality. My heartfelt thanks to all, especially Karen Ball, who supported me with wit and wisdom.
Seeing Things
a beautiful reality. My heartfelt thanks to all, especially Karen Ball, who supported me with wit and wisdom.
David Webb, my intrepid editor, fearless with the red pen, and yet, he never draws blood. Thanks for finding the story, wise one.
I observed twenty-first-century teenagers in Brigham Leane's classroom. The students amazed me, and this master teacher entranced me with a lesson on exponents. To add or multiply, that is the question.
The brave folks at mdsupport.org generously shared their stories, including the triumph and challenge of living with AMD. Daniel L. Roberts is their fearless leader and author of
The First Year: Age-Related Macular Degeneration: An Essential Guide for the Newly Diagnosed,
a compassionate and practical handbook for those facing such a disruptive diagnosis. He read Seeing Things, along with Barbara Smith and Fiona Hall, to make sure I portrayed life with AMD. Any mistakes are solely mine.
The First Year: Age-Related Macular Degeneration: An Essential Guide for the Newly Diagnosed,
a compassionate and practical handbook for those facing such a disruptive diagnosis. He read Seeing Things, along with Barbara Smith and Fiona Hall, to make sure I portrayed life with AMD. Any mistakes are solely mine.
I gleaned all I know about broken ankles and growing up in Denver from Mimi Frank and Rebecca Frank, mother and daughter extraordinaire. Another cup of tea?
I find the prospect of writing a novel without my critique group absolutely terrifying. I love you Sharon Bridgewater, Muriel Morley, and Darlia Sawyer! Death to the extraneous word!
Helen and the ladies of the low-vision group entertained me royally at The Center for Independence in Grand Junction, Colorado. They demonstrate a brand of courage beyond my dreaming. Thanks for the honesty and the laughs, girls.
When I needed to know about collisions involving air bags, Allison Bottke, Dave Lambert, and Tom Morrisey shared their harrowing stories. Hope those bruises have healed.
Wade McDowell helped me understand elder care on a personal and compassionate level because that's the kind of man he is.
Jennifer Murrell and Eusebia Garza filled in the blanks of my Spanish skills.
¡Muchas gracias, mi amigas!
¡Muchas gracias, mi amigas!
Coralie Bloom of the National Park Service at Great Smoky Mountains National Park enthralled me with the early history of the park. I'm going back there someday.
O my Strength, I sing praise to you; you, O God, are my fortress, my loving God. (Ps. 59:17 NIV)
“Some things you can't find out; but you will never know you can't by guessing and supposing; no, you have to be patient and go on experimenting until you find out that you can't find out. And it is delightful to have it that way; it makes the world so interesting.”
Mark Twain,
Eve's Diary
Eve's Diary
Prologue
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