How do you assess the life of an individual? Some build great things. Others perform heroic acts or create beauty, yet most people simply influence those around them in small, everyday ways. After Clouds, Sunshine highlights the latter, and weaves through the life of one such person, Grace Evelyn Loucks. She comes from hardy stock; descended from Upper Canada Loyalists who remained constant to the crown, then fled their homes in 1784 following the Patriot victory in the American Revolution. In the late 1880s, Grace lives in the quiet village of Aultsville, when a series of challenges land her in a radically different existence. With her mother and younger sister, she sets off for the booming city of Montreal, where she finds love. Her marriage fails to insulate her from further distress and Grace must find the strength to survive an unfamiliar world, designed for men, while maintaining her moral compass and upholding her mother’s standards of elegance and grace. Walk by her side as Grace shares her joys and her grief while demonstrating the courage to overcome her trials.
What parallels can we learn from her journey as we navigate our own lives? In our modern era, many live more solitary lives in a sea of technology, and with fewer human bonds than our ancestors. Grace shows us that earlier generations also struggled with loneliness, searching for purpose, and with feelings of inadequacy. After Clouds, Sunshine captures the life lessons of this woman. Her survival depends on her resilience, forcing her to make difficult choices to not only endure, but to rise above hardship and share her blessings to help others overcome their tribulations to move forward.
"This book masterfully blends family history with historical facts, brought to life through beautiful descriptions and compelling storytelling. The author’s ability to paint vivid pictures with words places readers right in the midst of the narrative, making it a thoroughly engaging read for anyone interested in the early history of Canada and the personal stories intertwined with it." - Deb. S. Holman
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