Broken and Blessed

Broken and Blessed:  A Life Story tells of little Celeste, a child born to suffer, to die, and to profoundly convert the lives of all who knew her.   It is a story of transformative suffering, bountiful grace, and the gift of hope.  Despite the challenging subject matter, it is not a story of death, but a true story of the intoxicating beauty of life.   

Celeste's story is my story too, because I am her mother.  She swept me along on a breath-taking adventure from the moment I discovered she had a serious heart defect until the day of her death and beyond. From the day I learned she required a heart transplant until the day doctors informed me she had sustained severe brain damage, Celeste was my companion on the trip of my life, one that led me to an amazing discovery: all will suffer, but we can survive and even flourish in our sorrow.  

Throughout Celeste's life we were faced with many challenges, but our faith was there to sustain and inform us.  By turning to our Church for answers to the moral dilemmas before us, we encountered Christ with a fresh perspective.  He allowed us to share in His sufferings, and drew us closer to Him in the process.  

It was easy for us to realize that Celeste was a very special baby.  She was sent to us as a beautiful gift, a true messenger of hope with an important message:  God has a mission for each of us! 

Celeste had a true ministry while she was with us, a ministry of presence.  She taught us through her example of silent suffering that each life is profoundly important.  She reminded us of a simple truth that we so often forget.  Our value is not in our doing, but in our being.

 I invite you to read Celestes story and go on your own journey of self-discovery.  What are your unique gifts and talents?  What is God calling you to accomplish?

 Whether or not you choose to read this book, I hope you leave this site with a new appreciation for the great gift of life that you have received.  Go out and do something amazing with it!

Cathy Adamkiewicz is a Catholic wife, mother, home-educating parent, writer and speaker.  After earning a communications degree from the University of Detroit, she dedicated herself to the creation of her lifes work:  her family.  In Broken and Blessed, her first book, she poignantly shares a message of hope and the value of  a suffering life through the story of one baby girl, her daughter, Celeste, and her amazing ministry of presence.