The Year of the Cicadas

A riveting, true story about a families journey when their son falls 180 feet and suffers a traumatic brain injury. This book is a page turner, you can't put it down. The courage, inspiration and tenacity of this family will stick with you. This book has so many twist and turns that you can't help but to personally relate, regardless of what your cliff is.

The inspirational true story of a family, told by Catie, her son Bryant falls from a 180 foot cliff in the isolated back woods of the Gorge, forcing his younger brother, a friend and a lost boy-scout troop to find and rescue him. Catie had not been content with her life and had been praying for change, but not like this. The stress of the accident changes her views about herself, family, God and her marriage. Catie is depleted by her career, distant from her husband, and facing an emptying nest. Now the son who always had time for her is in a coma from a traumatic brain injury and fighting for his life. This is not the change Catie was praying for and wonders how she can hold her family, faith and rocky marriage together. Catie's family is given very little hope Bryant will wake up, walk again or have a life worth living, but Bryant's unbelievable will is awe-inspiring. Keeping a constant vigil over their son, Catie and her husband Steve communicate through journals, which provide an up close and personal perspective as the journey unfolds day by day. this is a story of hope and change; proof that when faced with insurmountable challenges, the only way out is through.

Catie loves being a wife, mother and grandmother. She is an avid gardener and makes delicious cookies. She divides her time between home and visiting her grandchildren.