Explore Books by Joyce Harvey
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Open to the Moment: 25 Heartwarming Travel Stories
A Vietnam veteran returns to Nam thirty years later to face his demons.
A bereaved mother meets a young woman in Tahiti who is a mirror image of her deceased daughter.
A former Marine, now a bellman at a hotel, shines a woman's shoes, only to find they belonged to her deceased daughter, also a Marine.
A young boy with Muscular Dystrophy flies alone on his first flight.
A sailor travels from Hawaii to Washington D.C. to donate bone marrow to an unknown child with leukemia.
A woman requires emergency medical attention from strangers during a flight.
Open to the Moment is a collection of heartwarming and sometimes mystical encounters. Readers who like short, uplifting and inspirational stories, those interested in angel stories, and people who like Chicken Soup for the Soul stories will appreciate the true stories found in the pages of this book. In fact, two of the stories included were published in Chicken Soup for the Soul. All of the encounters surround one woman who is open to the moment and to what life might bring.
Swan Lesson: A Bereaved Mother's Story of Courage and Discovery
Military harassment, suicide, surviving the loss of an only child, after-death communication and visitation dreams—Swan Lessons, a true account of a Marine’s struggles and a mother’s loss, combines all of these aspects in a story that reads like dramatic fiction.
Swan Lessons: A Bereaved Mother’s Story of Courage and Discovery is an account of military harassment, a series of poor decisions and the desperate suicide of a young Lance Corporal. It describes the daunting challenge of a bereaved mother attempting to proceed with a public career in the midst of profound grief. It is also an amazing story of ongoing communication with the spirit of her daughter Jennifer, through dreams, signs, and spiritual mediums, including George Anderson. The author tackles tough subjects such as whether to pursue a wrongful death suit with the military. She also takes on clichés that are typically said to the grief-stricken and helps readers understand why they are better left unsaid. She shares dreams where she was “warned” she might lose Jennifer and dreams in which Jennifer “visits” following her death.
Ms. Harvey tells readers early in the book about her association of Jennifer’s death with the song “Vincent,” which refers to van Gogh’s suicide. Could the seemingly “coincidental” appearances of the song and references to van Gogh, be vehicles Jennifer uses to communicate with her mother from the afterlife?
There are individual books on grief, suicide, dream work, after-death communication, spirituality and abuse of power in the military. However, the author hasn’t found any examples written by a bereaved parent that combine all of these subjects into one book, as Swan Lessons does, helping readers to put it all together.
As the book winds its way through the canyons of grief, it offers glimpses of hope, moments of utter astonishment and examples of courage. The author skillfully weaves journal entries, as well as letters to and from Jennifer, to tell the story of a mother-daughter bond even death cannot sever.
I'm Fine ... I'm With the Angels
Angels from Heaven visit Johnny, a young boy with leukemia and prepare him for his journey to the Other Side. “Dying is like the process a butterfly goes through,” he learns.
Johnny, in turn, prepares his parents. As the story of I’m Fine … I’m With the Angels unfolds, children learn the spirit never dies.
Terminally ill children and children who lost a relative through death will find the story comforting. It is an excellent tool for parents, teachers, healthcare workers, psychologists—anyone who faces the difficult task of talking with children about death.
Illustrated by Cliff Upp.
A sensitive story conveying to young people that we are all infinite beings having a temporary human experience.
Dr. Wayne Dyer, Psychologist & Author
How Do You Grow A New Heart?
"Grief and loss are universal. Whether it’s death, divorce, illness, loss of a pet or separation of any kind, everyone has either experienced loss or knows someone who has. “How Do You Grow a New Heart?” is a small gift book that brings comfort to the healing journey. The soft pictures and words of wisdom combine to create a powerful companion for those who are grieving. Sometimes we struggle with what to say to someone who is grieving. Why not allow this small book to say it for you?"
If you are buying this as a gift to be sent directly to the bereaved, write a message to the author clearly stating how you want the inscription to read and include the complete name and address of the person you are sending it to. Be sure to name the person or pet it is in memory of.
Open to the Moment
Such a good read! I felt like I was there with you.
Open to the Moment
Great book by an amazing person and author!
Swan Lessons
Joyce’s book is an outstanding example of the struggles many single bereaved parents experience, yet all bereaved parents will readily relate to her grief journey. Her metaphors of grief, honest feelings of regret, courage to find validation, a means of forgiving herself and various avenues of growth on her healing journey will inspire others to continue to find the “Swan Lessons” on their journeys.
There are very few excellent books written by now childless parents but there is a tremendous need for this information and support. This book not only encourages single now childless parents but is an encouragement for all bereavement parents that there is hope for their future.
– Kay Bevington
Founder & President
Alive Alone
I'm Fine... I'm with the Angels
It’s hard to find the words to adequately describe the value this book holds. Death, regardless of whom it takes is a difficult subject to discuss for so many. When death comes for a child, the difficulty is exponentially compounded. The author has taken this subject and offered it from a childs perspective and in doing so, gives a voice to all. While I did have some sadness due to the subject matter, I found that the story in its entirety enabled me to have calm and a sense of peace. Some of the content was surprising and allowed for part of the mystery surrounding death to become a concept that is believable and familiar. A must read for any age, but especially for children!
Helpful tool that spans generations
I wish “I’m Fine . . . I’m with the Angels” would have been available when I lost my father in 1970 at age 6. Joyce’s ability to explain the complexities of one’s passing at a level that resonates with youth and adults is truly a gift to those grieving!
The time is now for Swan Lessons
At a time when the world needs to heal, here comes “Swan Lessons”. Joyce has transitioned her painful life experiences to a guiding light for others! Thank you for your vulnerability for the sake of helping and healing others.
Practical, logical and emotionally sound advice.
Addressing the issues that come from grief and loss is a tough endeavor. The author offers analogies that allow a person in any stage of grief to begin to understand the physical and emotional effects and thusly embark on a healthy, healing, journey. Rather than leave the reader sad or distraught, the author gives practical and compassionate steps that allow the reader to feel ok with where they are at and hope for a brighter future.
"I'm Fine ... I'm With the Angels"
This wonderful book is a great tool to use to talk with children about death. It helps children realize that the soul or spirit never dies and helps to take the sting out of death.
"How Do You Grow A New Heart"
As a Director of a Veteran Center, whenever I encountered someone who lost a loved one, I asked Joyce if she would donate one of her books “How Do You Grow a New Heart” to this person. I found the book addressed what the grieving Veterans were feeling, and found it to be very healing.
One of the widows of a Veteran came in to discuss her benefits following the loss of her husband. Joyce sat with her and let her cry and share her feelings. She gave her a copy of the book. The lady returned a week later for a follow-up meeting. She told us she put the book up by her husbands casket during the funeral. It meant that much to her.
Swan Lessons
Joyce has endured the worst, yet she has harnesed her faith and spiritual journey in order to lift others up.