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Book Review of A Gift of Hope: Helping the Homeless

A Gift of Hope: Helping the Homeless
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When Danielle Steel's new titles come out, it's not a matter of IF they will hit the NYT Best Seller list, it's how quickly they will rise to one of the coveted top 10 spots. She lives in a world populated with wealthy people, black tie dinners and paparazzi. It seems like she should be inured to the every day trials and tribulations that the rest of us deal with because she is one of the "beautiful people".

Yet beyond the glossy book jackets and publicity portraits, Steel belongs to some very elite groups, one of which is comprised of parents who have chronically ill children. Her son, Nick, was bipolar. And she also hsa membership in another, even more select group of people,that of the famous parents who lose a child through suicide. And in working through that terrible pain, she produce a book about her son's life, "His Bright Light". Still, she felt there was more to be done.

"A Gift of Hope", one of her most recent releases, chronicles her efforts to help those most in need. They are the throw aways, the homeless that drift through our nation like so many disposable plastic bags in the wind. Her son, Nick, often would reach out to those homeless or unfortunate who came across his path. Steel honors his memory by her efforts on his behalf.

This book is not about "Look what I did!" but about "Look, this needs to be done - anyway you can." She freely admits they took risks giving away things to the homeless. And it wasn't cheap by any means. And after 11 years of doing this, she now is using her platform as one of the best selling authors in the U.S. to shine a very bright light on the issue of homelessness which is increasing daily.

For me, the book was an encouragement. Economically, it's been a struggle this past year. But I've still been able to contribute to a local charity bank. Yet, there were times when I've wondered if I was even making a difference. Steel answered that question for me. It's a resounding YES! Thank you, Danielle, I needed to hear that.