Katrina Kenison: The Gift of an Ordinary Day: A Mother’s Memoir

Upon receiving this book to review, I was thrilled to discover the subject material, though initially curious as to why a book about motherhood by an accomplished editor and writer was selected for inclusion in the Mindfulness journal. The author is not a clinician. She is a spiritual woman who practices meditation and reflection, and is acutely aware of the value of the constructs of mindfulness, yet she does not discuss them in terms of 8-week sessions, efficacy, target populations, and clinical rationale. Instead, Katrina Kenison gives a beautifully human example of mindfulness applied amidst the challenges of significant life changes, as well as during everyday moments that may seem insignificant to those who are not paying attention. As she presents memories painted with the rich color palette of a gifted storyteller and shares her insights and wisdom about the sacred art of motherhood, she provides the reader with many opportunities to learn, whether a mother, a nurturer, a clinician, and/or a student of mindfulness practice. For all of us, and for those who we strive to help, stumbling blindly through the mundane, immersed in deadlines, Kenison offers a lifeline in the form of The gift of an ordinary day. …