Some people are lucky enough to find their soulmates early on in life. My sister and her husband met when they were thirteen and fifteen and are still going strong over 20 years later. I was one of those that didn't meet their soulmates until they were in their 30's but I thank God every day that I finally found him.
Joyce Maynard didn't meet her soulmate until she was in her 60's. The Best of Us is their story of true love and a life together that was cut off before it had really even begun.
Joyce Maynard was a woman who did not need a man to complete her. She had a few serious relationships but she knew deep down that nothing would ever come of them and was perfectly content just having fun. She had met many different men in her time of singleness but after one long phone call, and a very nice dinner with Jim Barringer, a man that had found her on Match.com, her world would never be the same.
The chemistry was instant and Joyce knew Jim was not like the other guys she had dated before. Theirs was a whirlwind romance with lots of fun and adventures. They were married in a beautiful outdoor ceremony the summer of 2013 and began a beautiful life together.
 |
| Maynard/Barringer Wedding - From "Just the Beginning of Their Growing Time" |
Marriage was a little tough for the fiercely independent Joyce but Jim was perfect for Joyce, nurturing her independent side and going along with all of her crazy ideas. Life was as close to perfect their first year of marriage, and then everything changed with one doctor's visit.
Jim was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer. Their adventures ceased and the hunt for any and every treatment they could find ensued. Joyce poured over research and reached out to other pancreatic cancer survivors to gain all the knowledge she could to help her husband. Jim went along with every idea, including drinking breast milk, hoping the colostrum would help. It didn't. Nothing did.
Over the course of a year and half Jim fought for his life with Joyce by his side the entire time. The book goes into great detail about each treatment and surgery that was done which I think would be a great resource for anyone who is struggling or knows someone that is struggling with pancreatic cancer.
The entire time I am reading I know what is going to come and as the pages turn you know it's coming. I was curious to see how Joyce would write about her husband's last breaths and she did it with such love that tears spilled onto the page as I read the words. What really gripped me the entire time I was reading is that my husband, my soulmate, and me got married just a few short months before Jim and Joyce were married. I cannot imagine losing my husband right now and cannot even begin to imagine what Joyce went through.
 |
| Joyce Maynard and Jim Barringer - From "Just the Beginning of Their Growing Time" |
The Best of Us is a beautiful story of true love and great loss. It is wonderfully written and when you are done you feel like you know Jim and Joyce on a deep, personal level. There are parts that are difficult to read and there are things that get repeated but I think that's all part of the journey that these two went on. I wish I could've heard more of Jim's voice in the story but the portrait of the man that Joyce loved was painted beautifully and I know that he will live in Joyce's heart forever.
*I received a complimentary copy of this book in exchange for an honest review
No comments
Thank you for visiting! :)