Joyce is an excellent communicator and knows how to speak to women's needs. In this book she tells in many different stories how to deal with death and dying; what to say and sometimes what not to say. Joyce knows because she has been there. I have given this book as a gift to those who have lost a loved one many times and always it is said, "What a help it was."

This book gives the stages of grief. (This may be grief over death or any serious and tragic loss. I found help in it when I first read it over 25 years ago, in dealing with some emotional situation other than death.) Joyce shares how a person may effectively reach out to loved ones who are experiencing grief, in ways that are truly helpful in comforting them. She also includes some EXCELLENT ideas on what N0T TO DO OR SAY!!! If you are the one experiencing the grief, this is a good book for you. It helps to know that the strange things you are feeling (and/or doing) are normal and will one day go away. Through this book a person can learn that healing of grief will come in time, for God will not desert us. The book offers insight and comfort on a topic which we so often try to ignore, but will experience. Over the years I have bought the book for many friends who were experiencing grief. Each one has said how much they were helped by Joyce's sharing what God taught her in this sad time in her life. I think it is an excellent and well written book, by a person who has been there!

I recently read the 1974 hardcover edition which is no long in print. The author deals with the death & dying issues with specific, heartfelt, insightful, and real-life circumstances. You will come to know and recognize your grieving process through the author. She examines the horror and reality of disease and death, but continues on the journey that leads to healing and hope. She states, "without God's positive reinforcement of love, death is a long tunnel ending with a brick wall instead of a bright opening to a glorious new life." I have purchased this new paperback edition to help a loved one attend to their grief so that healing can take place. It is as helpful now as it must have been 20 years ago.

I have read this book several times, and everytime I do, it never ceases to amaze me. The truths that are revealed in the book, are truely inspirational!! Why....you may be asking??? Because, only one who has truely been broken, can explain what brokeness means...and only then can you help another in such pain. You will find in this book, what it means to be a "Wounded Healer" Joyce opens her heart so beautifully, giving us a glimps into her unworld pain...and then showing us the true path of healing. Will you choose to find the root causes to your pain...and, will you choose to put away the security of your Blue Blanket...???

Joyce is my favorite author. She is realistic in her writings, and you know she is human just like the rest of us. In this book she shares how she finally came to grips with her relationship with her earthly father and also shares some of the responsibility for why the relationship was not ideal.

A powerful personal testimony of suffering, deep healing and recovery. As usual, Mrs. Heatherley is able to verbalize all the fears, pain and soaring hope that is within today's woman. I keep it by my nightstand and refer to the book often. Truly a comfort and source of hope.

I love this book! I was down in spirit before I started reading and my whole being was completely uplifted before I finished reading this book. Her style of writing is easy. I want to share this book with others, especially those who think they are poor in spirit, finance, and friends. You must read this book.

What a welcomed and healing read to turn page after page and find yourself woven in to each thought the author shares. Ms. landorf writes as if you are in conversation with her and you'll find yourself "Umm-Hmm"ing and "Amen"ing outloud. The frank and honest sharing of what unwelcomed, unexplainable and seemingly "undeserved" pain in our lives produces is healing in itself, just in the knowledge that someone else has felt abandoned by God in the midst of it. Ms. Landorf does more than sympathize by walking with you through her personal struggle for answers and where she found them and the strength to "hold on just one more day" (to quote the book), which is all we really need as God tells us to "take no care for tomorrow..." Hope's fulfillment is sometimes just a day away...HOLD ON!

I read this book many years ago before and shortly after I got married. Joyce provides some wonderful advice for young men to use that will help build long lasting marriages.

I loved this book because Joyce clearly expresses the feelings of many people who have been hurt by "unworldly people." I recommend this to anyone who has been misunderstood, who has been through deep valleys and who has managed to come shining through. Joyce writes from her heart and touches your heart. This book is comfort for the soul.

This is a well-written and certainly useful book. I just want add one note. The writing is very feminine. Male readers should use caution when working with this book!

It's on my short list of books that everyone should have on their bookshelf.

This book is not full of the usual hard to write letters, these are the REALLY hard to write letters. How to tell your relatives you don't want to spend the holidays with them again. Write a teacher to tell them what a poor (or good) job she did with your child. Tell your Pastor he's not being very supportive of his congregation. These may sound a little harsh but they are written in just right way, with forgiveness and hope for a change. There are also condolence letters, dealing with cancer letters, and all those touchy situations when you don't know what to say. Keep it right next to your stationery.

This story of Martha is inspiring to any Christian woman! It not only shows her great faith and how she followed Jesus, but the everyday struggles that women still face in their faith today. It was AWESOME!

Dose Jesus seam like an entity that is out there, who you know about but maybe don't know Him? This powerful book can bring Jesus right into the room you are in and help you get to know the savior in a personal way. The book I Came To Love You Late is the story of Mary, Martha and Lazarus. The book takes you back to having the Teacher of Nazareth, Jesus, as a guest in their house. Of seeing first hand the miracles of Jesus. Martha was always too busy taking care of her sick brother and the household to have time to get to know Jesus, until it was almost too late.

A horrible book, but it starts out wonderfully. However, Joyce doesn't understand the concept of victim mentality and the fact that she suffers from this form of delusion. A victim of abuse should NEVER return to their abuser, even though this often feels like the natural thing to do. Her advice to apologize to your abuser is so disgusting I can't even put it into words. When I think of all the battered women who might be reading her book, and apologizing to their husbands for the beatings, I almost vomit.

God has better plans for us than to keep us in a state of victimhood, which destroys out spirits and keeps us from doing God's work. God may have started the book, but Satan wrote the ending. Joyce should get down on her needs and beg for forgiveness from God.

I originally read this book when I was going through some major changes in my life--changes that certain people in my life did not understand or sympathize with. This book helped me see that 1. This particular set of people had ALWAYS reacated negatively when I was approaching change in my life (because it meant they too would have to adapt to in my life, and like most humans, they wanted things to stay the same)and 2. There were ways to deal with these people without becoming an irregular person myself, or getting slammed to the pavement yet again by them.
This book helped me see that I was not the only person dealing with negativity on a regular basis--that it was not my fault, and that there were ways to deal with these people without becoming just like them (a fate worse than death, I assure you!).Joyce Heatherly hits right on the target. (By the way, she confesses this in a later book, but the "irregular persons" in her life are her father and stepmother--people you definitely cannot cut out of your life!) No, it's not your imagination--these people in your life are hurtful and destructive--but you don't have to let them destroy you, and you don't have to destroy them to live a good life. Joyce's book will show you how.

The principles in this book were touted at a Mary Kay seminar I attended almost ten years ago. What I heard at the seminar caused me to run out and buy the book at a used book store. The book was published 20 years ago, but it is still relevant. I gave away my only copy to a friend who desperately needed it (only because I knew I could get another one from Amazon.com)! Actually, I just ordered five copies: A replacement for me, and a few spares to share with others. If you are frustrated because you keep going through the same hurtful routine with certain individuals in your life, read Irregular People and try the suggestions. I bet they'll work, and you'll feel liberated!

After reading this book, I have loaned it out to many people. Many seem to be touched by this book. It made me aware of how I can affect others with my attitude and my encouragement. It is a short, simple book that has impacted my life. I believe that reading this book is the start of changing one's life. But, one also has to make that "choice" to be a balcony person vs. a basement person.

This is an easy-to-read book that even people who hate to read can enjoy. Reading this book helped me to realize that some people are not really "telling you the truth" they are telling you "their" truth and that they often think that they are protecting you from harm's way by being negative about your ideas, projects, plans, etc. I learned to identify the uplifting, supportive people in my life who I can count on to cheer for me from the balcony, and to identify others who discourage my efforts as basement people trying to pull me down to their level. This book helped me to take action for myself more easily and to stop listening to the nay-sayers. I gave this book out to my balcony people friends. It's a great gift.

I found the book to be suprisingly helpful and interesting. I would recommend it to anyone. It hope to view relationships in a different light and ask myself if I am a evaluator or an affirmer. The book is an easy read but the author does a good job of making some effective points.