Review of It'll Be Alright, Maggie Jiggs
Posted: 19 May 2025, 13:02
[Following is a volunteer review of "It'll Be Alright, Maggie Jiggs" by Karen Thiel.]
Death is an absolute and universal reality for every human; an inevitable end to life. Yet, coming to terms with the loss of a loved one is never easy. Maggie was a hospice nurse and understood very well what a diagnosis of emphysema entailed. The book opens by recounting the dreadful events of the Fourth of July in 2020. The family learned on that very day that Maggie had completed the necessary formalities for a DNR (do not resuscitate), allowing natural death. Though Karen knew it was coming, realizing that she was going to witness her mother's final moments was something no one could have prepared her for. Karen Thiel, the book’s author and the daughter of Maggie Jiggs, walks us through her thoughts and actions as she processes various emotions on the day her mother passed away and thereafter.
The following chapters explore the profound emptiness Karen felt after her mother’s passing. She recounts the sobbing and pleading for her to come back. She then moves on to sharing anecdotes from their early childhood. She includes stories of how her mother disciplined her and her siblings. Her mother demonstrated caregiving in ways that empowered her son with special needs. Her undeniable love and compassion for her immediate and extended family shine through various chapters. You will laugh at all the hilarious moments, such as the incidents at the mall and the church, and before you know it, you will have tears in your eyes. Pick up your copy to know more.
The author beautifully enumerates all the small, big, and special moments over the years in the chapter titled “Remember…Mom.” Whether it was taking responsibility after the passing of her husband, choosing to resume school and becoming a CNA, or caring for her son with special needs and her parents when they needed help, she consistently walked the talk. She had lived an exemplary life, encouraging her kids to see the positive side, hoping for everything to be alright, while continuing to do whatever had to be done. Karen views these as standards to meet.
I cannot agree more with the author’s message to the readers. She highlights how her mother accepted the inevitable gracefully. She reassures readers that our loved ones are safe in heaven, in the loving company of the ones they missed. It is up to us to remember the values they stood for and conduct ourselves accordingly. Karen reminds us that there will be days when the memories of our loved ones will overwhelm us. For such days, she reminds us to believe everything will be alright, just like Maggie Jiggs said.
I have no complaints about the structure or layout of the book. Sharing family photographs would add value. Similarly, including an index page would facilitate easy access to specific chapters. Several errors were noted. Although they did not detract from the reading experience, fixing them through a re-edit will improve the book. The errors compel me to take away one star. I rate It’ll Be Alright, Maggie Jiggs a solid four out of five stars. I recommend it to adult readers who are coping with the loss of a loved one.
******
It'll Be Alright, Maggie Jiggs
View: on Bookshelves | on Amazon
Death is an absolute and universal reality for every human; an inevitable end to life. Yet, coming to terms with the loss of a loved one is never easy. Maggie was a hospice nurse and understood very well what a diagnosis of emphysema entailed. The book opens by recounting the dreadful events of the Fourth of July in 2020. The family learned on that very day that Maggie had completed the necessary formalities for a DNR (do not resuscitate), allowing natural death. Though Karen knew it was coming, realizing that she was going to witness her mother's final moments was something no one could have prepared her for. Karen Thiel, the book’s author and the daughter of Maggie Jiggs, walks us through her thoughts and actions as she processes various emotions on the day her mother passed away and thereafter.
The following chapters explore the profound emptiness Karen felt after her mother’s passing. She recounts the sobbing and pleading for her to come back. She then moves on to sharing anecdotes from their early childhood. She includes stories of how her mother disciplined her and her siblings. Her mother demonstrated caregiving in ways that empowered her son with special needs. Her undeniable love and compassion for her immediate and extended family shine through various chapters. You will laugh at all the hilarious moments, such as the incidents at the mall and the church, and before you know it, you will have tears in your eyes. Pick up your copy to know more.
The author beautifully enumerates all the small, big, and special moments over the years in the chapter titled “Remember…Mom.” Whether it was taking responsibility after the passing of her husband, choosing to resume school and becoming a CNA, or caring for her son with special needs and her parents when they needed help, she consistently walked the talk. She had lived an exemplary life, encouraging her kids to see the positive side, hoping for everything to be alright, while continuing to do whatever had to be done. Karen views these as standards to meet.
I cannot agree more with the author’s message to the readers. She highlights how her mother accepted the inevitable gracefully. She reassures readers that our loved ones are safe in heaven, in the loving company of the ones they missed. It is up to us to remember the values they stood for and conduct ourselves accordingly. Karen reminds us that there will be days when the memories of our loved ones will overwhelm us. For such days, she reminds us to believe everything will be alright, just like Maggie Jiggs said.
I have no complaints about the structure or layout of the book. Sharing family photographs would add value. Similarly, including an index page would facilitate easy access to specific chapters. Several errors were noted. Although they did not detract from the reading experience, fixing them through a re-edit will improve the book. The errors compel me to take away one star. I rate It’ll Be Alright, Maggie Jiggs a solid four out of five stars. I recommend it to adult readers who are coping with the loss of a loved one.
******
It'll Be Alright, Maggie Jiggs
View: on Bookshelves | on Amazon