In 1995, as a young wife newly separated by many miles from her family in the Midwest, Stacey Reynolds began corresponding with her mother, Carole Young, by e-mail. These e-mails, along with letters, continued until 2012 and provide a very personal, often humorous, glimpse into the life of a self-described “mother of three beautiful children, wife, daughter, interior designer, crazy gardener, lifelong learner, martial artist and artist with a paint brush.”

With her, we travel to the markets of Morocco and the rainforests of Costa Rica. We experience the precious “firsts” of motherhood, the ups and downs of family life, the rewards of gardening and living “green,” and the satisfaction of community service. Writing with simplicity and honesty, she also reveals lessons life has taught her and the philosophy she holds.

When Stacey faces the greatest challenge of her life, she meets it with her trademark positive attitude and the courage of one who has earned a black belt in martial arts and zip-lined through the rainforest.