The Grace of Ordinary Days

Described as “Tuesdays with Morrie" meets Georgia O’Keefe, "The Grace of Ordinary Days" by poet Kay Saunders and nature photographer Bernie Saunders is a rare glimpse into the separate but inextricably linked lives of a mother and son. Contemplative poetry and stunning flower photography are woven together by a narrative thread in two voices. Mother and son retell their versions of memories from a shared past and how each perceived them differently. The stories shed light and perspective that leads to understanding and forgiveness. "The Grace of Ordinary Days" can help us to love better, and remind us of our own beauty, truth and passion.

Kay Saunders is the author of three poetry books, "A Whippoorwill Calls for Memories", "Only the Footprints Are Gone", "Letters From The Other Side", along with "Gift of the Stranger: Creativity, a Force for Change", which chronicled her experiences in teaching writing to nursing home residents. She died on December 8, 2003 at the age of 85. Kay kept a notebook and pen by her bedside as a rest stop, a way of negotiating pain and celebrating her sense of wholeness and compassion. She was married to George Saunders for sixty-three years, and lived in Appleton, Wisconsin. Bernie Saunders, founder of the Center For Living Art, believes that life is truly a work of art. He is a professional photographer, internationally recognized author having co-authored, "Ten Steps to a Learning Organization," and the author of his signature personal enrichment program, "Boundless Renewal: Embrace the Power of Reflection." He is a highly regarded speaker, with over thirty years of experience working in the field of human development. Bernie received his most profound education from playing in the woods as a child, experimenting with a camera his father gave him as a young teen, planting rice in the Philippines, working with young adult drug addicts, raising two sons, and guiding community and business leaders to become “servant leaders.” He lives near Minneapolis with his wife Constance.