What Momma Left Behind

by

Cindy K. Sproles

Christian Historical Fiction

Publisher: Revell

Date of Publication: June 2, 2020

Number of Pages: 256

Worie Dressar is seventeen years old when influenza and typhoid ravage her Appalachian Mountain community in 1877, leaving behind a growing number of orphaned children with no way to care for themselves. Worie’s mother has been secretly feeding a number of these little ones on Sourwood Mountain. But when she dies suddenly, Worie is left to figure out why and how she was caring for them.

Plagued with two good-for-nothing brothers—one greedy and the other a drunkard—Worie fights to save her home and the orphaned children now in her begrudging care. Along the way, she will discover the beauty of unconditional love and the power of forgiveness as she cares for all of Momma’s children.

Storyteller and popular speaker Cindy K. Sproles pens a tender novel full of sacrifice, heartache, and courage in the face of overwhelming obstacles.

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Praise

“Worie Dressar isn’t your typical heroine—she’s tough, she’s opinionated, and she’s loud. But at her core she wants to love and be loved—just like the rest of us. Cindy’s special talent is in telling about life the way it is—hard parts and all—while preserving the beauty and wonder of love shining through even the darkest night.” —Sarah Loudin Thomas, Christy Award-nominated author of Miracle in a Dry Season

“Seldom does a story move me to tears and encourage me to examine my life. A powerful story. Highly recommended.” —DiAnn Mills, author of Fatal Strike

“Cindy Sproles has a way of placing readers inside the Blue Ridge Mountains. Her ability to transport readers into her Appalachian adventures is nothing short of genius. Leaving us hanging on every word, Cindy writes with feeling and incredible historical knowledge. This book is a must-read!” —LaTan Murphy, writer, speaker, author of Courageous Women of the Bible

Lately, I have really enjoyed reading books that are based on actual events from the past but are fiction in nature.  What Momma Left Behind takes a peek into life in the Appalachian Mountains in the late 1800s when illnesses such as typhoid and influenza were wiping out the population,  Living in the mountains, many were isolated from doctors and towns and the ability to receive medical attention was low.  Those on the mountain did what they could for each other and this story beautifully addresses the compassion given to the many orphans so that they may survive.

Worie Dressar is a complex character for just seventeen years old which is actually not surprising or uncommon for that time period.  Most young women and men were more mature and grew up faster during that time.  In fact, many were married by Worie’s age and might even already have several children.  Worie had dreams for her life that were shattered when she finds her mother dead.  But perhaps it just means a new path was forged for her without her knowledge.  I discovered this line within the book that sums up Worie to a T.

There it was – laid out on the mornin breeze.  I was selfish and judgemental. I was angry, stubborn, a tad hateful.

As I read this book, the admiration I felt for Worie grew.  She was not afraid to confront anyone, even when she should have tempered her words.  She stood up to anyone and everyone when protecting herself, her family, and the orphans she was taking care of at the time.  She fought for these children and keeping them together when others might want to split them apart for their “benefit.”  On the flip side, that strength was also her biggest weakness because she didn’t trust anyone.  She might have had a modicum of trust for Ely and Bess, but there were so many others that wanted to help her, she just needed to see past her pride and allow them into her life.

While the focus of the story is primarily on Worie, we also have interactions with her two brothers, Justice and Calvin, and these brothers are nothing alike.  Calvin is cruel to everyone and is only looking out for himself.  Justice is a little more compassionate but has his own demons to battle.  We also learn more about Momma through slips of paper left in a mason jar.  Her words of wisdom and the bits of her life that are revealed were a little shocking but also gave us greater insight into her character and why she took care of the other children that lost their parents.  That sort of compassion cannot be taught, it is inherent.

There are other characters that help round out the story and provide the help and guidance that Worie needs in this life.  After all, she is still young and has a lot to learn.  But how she adapts to taking her mother’s place in caring for the young children is admirable.  She doesn’t question taking care of anyone else and feels that it is her duty to ensure the children thrive but also understand what family means – it doesn’t necessarily mean it is who is related to you by blood, but anyone that cares about another.

Ultimately, this book is a story about trust, forgiveness, and love.  All three things that Worie exhibits and learns over the course of the novel.  It takes a lot of time because she is stubborn and sometimes those lessons have to be repeated over and over again.

Here are some of my favorite lines:

“Life ain’t easy in these mountains,” Momma would say. “When the messes happen, you swallow the ache and do what has to be done.”

“I ain’t nothin but a drunk.  But you, little lady. You are Momma made over, and that ain’t nothing but good.”

There was still more questions than answers, but a momma bird only feeds her babies a bite at a time. I reckon that was my bite.

“You understand, Worie, it ain’t your job to fix me. It’s your job to love me despite my downfalls.”

“if a man is to overcome something that has a hold on him, they has to be some trust.”

There was that word again. The same one Justice had give me, Trust. I thought trust was something you could find, but I’m seein it ain’t found – it’s gived.

If the good Lord wasn’t doin nothin else other than teachin me what it meant to trust, then I was the better for listenin.

I understood that forgiveness wasn’t for the other person.  It was for me. It was what the good Lord would use to set me free and help me make my own way.

Despite all them children had lost…there was laughter. It was a lesson I needed to learn.

We give this book 5 paws up.

Cindy K. Sproles is the cofounder of Christian Devotions Ministries. An author, storyteller, and popular speaker, Cindy teaches at writers’ conferences across the country and directs the Asheville Christian Writers Conference in North Carolina. Editor of ChristianDevotions.us and managing editor for Straight Street Books and SonRise Devotionals, Cindy has a BA in business and journalism and lives in the mountains of East Tennessee with her family.

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THREE WINNERS 

First Winner: Copy of What Momma Left Behind + $20 B&N Gift Card 

Second Winner: Copy of What Momma Left Behind + $5 Starbucks Gift Card 

Third Winner: Copy of What Momma Left Behind

 June 23-July 3, 2020

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