Notes to Jo – by Lindi Pierce

“Notes to Jo” is a compilation of heartwarming daily e-mails that author Lindi Pierce sent to her sister-in-law during a long seven-month period of treatment for acute lymphoblastic leukemia, a deadly cancer. Jocelyne (Jo) Cormier was diagnosed with the disease in 2010 and these heart filled messages served to provide Jo with simple little thoughts and stories that she could look forward to reading during her difficult period of treatment and recovery. The book is 220 pages in length and all but a few of the messages each fit neatly onto a single dated page, each one accompanied by a related colour photograph. The stories are almost diary-like – a journal of thoughts and observations of the day, written to comfort and encourage. There are thoughts about pansies, November 24^th about a squirrel’s drey in some tree branches, thoughts about farm animals, wild animals, and random  objects she has come across like an Inukshuk, a glacial erratic at Presqu’ile, fall colour, winter snows.

Lindi’s stories have a way of drawing you in, For example, October 15^th talked about islands discovered and her fondness for them. The accompanying photo was of a growth of Water-willow, also known as Swamp Loosestrife, hugging the shore of the Moira River at the H.R. Frink Centre. Immediately, I was taken back more than 20 years and I was once again in my kayak, quietly paddling the Moira River and the Salmon River where I had been introduced to this shrubby plant and its radiant fall colours as it drooped into the placid waters of the shore. I was alone and at peace with no disturbances from automobile traffic, computers or cell phones.  Lindi’s stories are powerful, but gentle, as they pull you in like they did me, and leave the reader with a message – a message of hope and encouragement.    

Lindi Pierce has been busy since the book’s release a few weeks ago getting this publication into various outlets. Currently, the book is available at The Old Hastings Mercantile & Gallery in Ormsby, Kerr’s Corner Books in Campbellford, Lighthouse Books in Brighton, Novel Idea bookstore in Kingston, The Local Store near Bloomfield, and Books and Company in Picton. “Notes to Jo” also will be at Picton and Belleville Public libraries soon. The praiseworthy book sells for $30.00 with a portion of the proceeds going to the Canadian Cancer Society. The notes contained in the book gave Jo the strength and courage to keep going during her recovery. And if you have a family member with cancer, “Notes to Jo” will provide you and that person with the same encouragement and motivation that they gave Jo in her journey.

Jo Cormier sums up her thoughts, “It (the collection of notes) gave me strength, courage and positivity to keep going at a challenging time in my life. I will treasure these stories forever – they gave me hope for my recovery. I wish you all the best in your challenges and may this book be an inspiration to you, too.”