Just Dandy: Living with Heartache and Wishes

by Sandra Swenson

Overview

Through her child’s addiction, a divorce, beginning a career at sixty, caring for aging parents, and facing her own old age alone, Sandra Swenson shares her heartache and her journey of courage, resiliency, and acceptance, inspiring us to believe that no matter what comes our way, it is possible to say we’re “just dandy” and (usually) mean it.

In the pages of Just Dandy: Living with Heartache and Wishes, Sandra shares her pain and struggles, strength and determination, as crises continue to unravel her world in unexpected ways. A voice for parents of children suffering with the disease of addiction, Sandra puts their thoughts and feelings into words in this inspiring book—bringing hope, perspective, sanity and empowerment to moms everywhere.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781616498832
Publisher:	Hazelden Publishing
Publication date:	11/24/2020
Sold by:	SIMON & SCHUSTER
Format:	eBook
Pages:	240
Sales rank:	810,881
File size:	2 MB

About the Author

Sandra Swenson is the mother of two sons—one of whom struggles with addiction. Author of the books The Joey Song: A Mother’s Story of Her Son’s Addiction and Tending Dandelions: Honest Meditations for Mothers with Addicted Children and the Readings for Moms of Addicts app, Sandra lives in the place where love and addiction meet—a place where help enables and hope hurts. Sandra is a voice for parents of children suffering with the disease of addiction, putting their thoughts and feeling into words. Her latest project is MomPower.org, an easy-to-navigate hub connecting moms who have children with addictions to a world of help, hope, perspective, sanity, and empowerment.

Sandra lives in suburban Minneapolis, Minnesota. When she isn’t writing or traveling to speak with other parents who are coping with the disease of addiction in their family, Sandra enjoys gardening, reading, and spending time with family and friends. 
Sandra Swenson is the mother of two sons—one of whom struggles with addiction. Author of The Joey Song: A Mother’s Story of Her Son’s Addiction, Tending Dandelions: Honest Meditations for Mothers with Addicted Children, and Readings for Moms of Addicts app, Sandra lives in the place where love and addiction meet—a place where help enables and hope hurts. Sandra is a voice for parents of children suffering with the disease of addiction, putting their thoughts and feeling into words. Her latest project is MomPower.org, an easy-to-navigate hub connecting moms who have children with addictions to a world of help, hope, perspective, sanity, and empowerment. Sandra lives in suburban Minneapolis, Minnesota. When she isn’t writing or traveling to speak with other parents coping with the disease of addiction in their family, Sandra enjoys gardening, reading, and spending time with family and friends.

Table of Contents

Dear Mamas vii

Part 1 Bridal Veil Falls

1 From Point A to Point WTF 3

2 When Truth Wears a Veil 29

3 Where Love and Divorce Meet 55

Part 2 Up the Decline

4 The Old Folks 83

5 Goodbye, House 111

6 The Golden Valley 137

Part 3 Better, Not Worse

7 Of Roots and Wings 167

8 Becoming 183

9 A Legacy 215

The Plan: Just Dandy 239

About the Author 241

Editorial Reviews

"Just Dandy is a story of betrayal, recovery, deep grief, profound healing, loss, uncertainty, undying love, unimaginable possibility, and eternal hope all wrapped up in one exquisitely written book. It offers hope that pain isn’t forever, pain isn’t the end, and pain can be transformed into something beautiful."

Barb Klein

"Sandra Swenson nailed it again! Just Dandy presents a window into her life story of vulnerability and surviving what feels overwhelming – addiction, divorce, aging parents, empty nesting, loneliness – transforming heartache and loss into purpose and intentional living. It offers a path toward healing and hope for individuals and families living in chaos."

Anita Bont

"Sandy Swenson is a gifted writer! She knows how to tell a story that holds your interest and keeps you coming back for more. Tending Dandelions is Sandy’s story, from her son Joey’s addiction to her divorce to her various moves to recreate her new life. Too she is helping her parents through their transition to needing more care. Through it all, Sandy stays strong, putting one foot in front of the other, maneuvering herself through the turmoil. Other moms will relate to all that Sandy is going through, her pain, her resilience, and her efforts to move forward in positive ways."

Cathy Taughinbaugh

"While reading “The Joey Song”, I thought,“This woman has peeked in my windows”. This newest book “Just Dandy”, shares a deeper look into her life; it’s struggles and pain. Sandy is a woman whose trials and pain have graced her with strength to become a support for so many!"

Kim Palmer ~ a fellow mom of an addicted son.

"Sandra Swenson has written a book about the transformation of pain and loss through grace and hard work into a beautiful service to others. She tells her story with candor and humility, including the lessons she learned along the way. Highly recommended!"

Tim Portinga

"Sandy Swenson’s book Just Dandy is a wise and intimate portrayal of navigating life’s unexpected challenges. With warmth and humor, she reminds us that even when a child’s addiction is consuming all our attention, life is often about starting over – and then starting over again. Inspiring!"

Beverly Conyers

"Sandra lets us into her home and her heart. A bold battle cry for mom‘s, wives and daughters reminding us that we are not alone. She brings us to a place where love, grief, hope and heartache meet."

Kelly Ryan

"In her fourth book, Just Dandy, Sandy Swenson once again brings her poignant voice to the written word as she chronicles her journey to “self” and to fulfilling her mission, purpose and passion to help moms of children with addiction."

Lisa Frederiksen

"While reading “The Joey Song”, I thought,“This woman has peeked in my windows”. This newest book “Just Dandy”, shares a deeper look into her life; it’s struggles and pain. Sandy is a woman whose trials and pain have graced her with strength to become a support for so many!"

Kim Palmer ~ a fellow mom of an addicted son.