The Night the Angels Came

First blush I was depressed. But while continuing, I became mentally part of the story. I only wish I could meet Michael and Patrick in real life. What a true blessing to look at the stars and believe. What a thoughtful story.

I liked the little extra touch of them adding a bookmark to my order. I thought that was awfully nice of them.

When foster carer Cathy Glass is first presented with the possibility of caring for 8-year-old Michael, she's instantly a bit hesitant. After all, Michael isn't like most other children in the system, abused or neglected. Michael is a beloved only child, whose mother died when he was a toddler. Now his father is also dying of cancer, eager to make sure Michael will have a good home after he passes.Any qualms Glass feels are quickly calmed when her own children, 4-year-old Paula and 8-year-old Adrian, insist that Michael come stay with them. After all, he needs someone to help him, and their family is in the business of helping.Before long, Glass' family becomes close with Michael and his father Patrick. The children enjoy one another's company, and the easygoing, kindhearted Patrick is a natural friend for Glass. It becomes hard to believe that his condition is so serious and death might come at any time. Perhaps the doctors made a mistake?Glass takes a difficult subject (made even more so by the fact of its centering upon a young child) and manages to make it both hopeful and thought-provoking on a number of levels, from the practical aspects of a parent knowing he must soon leave an eight-year-old alone in the world to the muddy complexities of religion/faith.My one complaint about this book, as with Glass' others, is that she tends to bog her story down with superfluous details. For instance, when Glass first meets with Patrick at the social services building, she doesn't just say she attended the meeting. She first tells her readers she entered through double doors, went down the hallway, up to the second floor, and then it was the second door to the right. While detail is certainly wonderful for an author to employ, in some cases such as this it actually detracts from the meat of the story. Glass would do better to remember that sometimes less IS more.

A moving story of how a man can die well, especially by making arrangements for his only child Michael. Michael's mother had died when he was too young to remember her. Patrick did an excellent job raising Michael as a single parent. Before Michael was eight years old Patrick was diagnosed with lung cancer, which did not respond to any treatment. When Patrick was told he probably had only three months to live , he sought help in finding a foster home where Michael could be cared for when Patrick might be hospitalized, and finally, went into hospice care. Of course Cathy, after some hesitation, took on the difficult situation. Michael came to them unexpectedly soon, when Patrick collapsed at home. Cathy and her children quickly came to love Michael and Patrick. They hoped that after Patrick's death, their's could become Michael's forever home. This a story of how one man faces death bravely after seeing that his son is lovingly cared for by someone who could guide Michael through the incredibly difficult times ahead, which allowed him to face death peacefully. It is also a story of how young children, particularly Michael, but also Cathy's children, can be guided through terminal illness and death, and how to help them deal with and express their feelings in a safe, accepting environment.

Cathy Glass I'd the nom decrees plume of a British foster care provider for children in need of temporary placement. Names and details are changed to protect their privacy. My personal feeling is that the conversations taking place in her book are probably created to carry the story, some of which took place 25 or 30 years ago. But I think that the books are as factual as possible.This book is the moving story of an eight year old whose mother died six years previously and whose father is dying of cancer. As with all of Ms Glass' books, the story is very bittersweet, especially in the hospital and hospice sequences. However, after all the sadness, the story comes out happy in the end, which is not always the case in her books. The strength and religious faith of the young boy help him get through a very difficult time. I have read several of Me Glass' books and enjoyed them greatly. However, they are not emotionally easy reads.I highly recommend Me Glass' books. I personally admire someone who can have a long series of children in and out of his/her home, and then let them go, possibly never to be seen by the water again.

Out of all the memoirs I have read by Cathy this is one of my favorite. This shows the other side of the story - how children do not always get taken from their parents but their parents are taken from them and far too early. Micheal and Patrick have a father and son relationship like no other. When a terrible terminal disease jeopardizes all of the time they should have had together it becomes Cathy's responsibility to make the most of the time they have left. While still keeping her own family in mind Cathy does an amazing job at becoming the person who helps Micheal and his father to deal with such a terrible occurance in the easiest most worry free way. She does a great job a touching points of the religious views of all in this story while still keeping her beliefs in mind for her families sake. This is one of the stories closer to my heart as I have lost my father also, while it was not near as young as Micheal the quotes in this story helped me through the tough thoughts I had. Keep up the great work again Cathy! Thank you so much!

I'm a real fan of this series of books having been recommended them by someone who works within the family court. The author is a foster carer and writes from her own experience. Anyone with no dealings in this area may think these stories are extreme but they are actually very genuine.Her books are always well written and can be relied on to be interesting, keeping the reader hooked.This is an unusual case as Michael is only in care because of his father's illness rather than any neglect or abuse which is more common. As his carer, Cathy Glass has to use a different approach to normal which she realises very quickly.I'm always amazed by the balance of extreme emotion and pragmaticism that the author shows, for example where she first hears about Michael's sad story she wipes a tear away from her eye then goes to do some housework as a distraction.CG's straight forward approach is an appropriate way to deal with the high stress situations in this story and at times it feels like reading an entry from her carers log - eg. "I'm pleased to say that Michael ate well"More than any of the books I've read so far this one really explores the author's vulnerabilities - showing how susceptible she is when she opens herself up to those in her care. I suspect she learnt much from looking after Michael. Of course, she always manages to create a positive and shows how her sensitivity feeds into her range of experience.There is nothing complicated about this story and its very easy to read but I loved it.I think the covers of these books really do them no favours as they are thought provoking and well written.

As always Cathy Class's books didn't bore me or dissapoint me in anyway! Her books are so amazing, I usually read them within 2-3 days. She's my favourite author, I have read 7 of her books so far. This story is about a boy who's young and about to lose all he has.....his dad. Cathy as always is there as an angel in disguise to protect and help this boy along in his life. I don't want to go in to too much detail as it'll spoil the story! It does for me anyway!

Again a well written caring & sensitive!y handled subject of the passing of a much loved father.Was sad for poor Michael & Cathy as Patrick had become more than year friend & I really would have like them all to get together as one big happy family sadly that was not to be as Patricks date was sealed only consolation he would meet his love his wife again in heaven & they could both look down & protect Michael,.Love Cathy s booked I a!waste can relate to some aspects of them.Would read again very compelling.?God Bless Cathy xx

This story was so heartfelt lots of emotions. What a brave and worthy man and what a true inspirations boy. I hope he had such a happy and filled life with his new family. What a lovely last Cathy glass is and such a brave lady along with her children. Would highly recommend reading this booj.

I loved this book, I felt I got to know cathy , her caring and compassion was amazing , and i felt it as I read the book , such heart felt books wrote by a truly amazing lady , I say this as if you kno then you will kno what a foster carers or adoptive parents go throw ❤💙 .