If Only

by Clara Cavender

Illustrated by Michael Copeland

When Clara Cavender’s father was diagnosed with vascular dementia in 1995, the news devastated her life and that of her family. Her mother, when confronted with the diagnosis, was heard to say, “If only it had been cancer.” As horrible as cancer of any kind can be, it was at least a horror they knew, instead of some unknown monster that threatened to slowly steal the mind, and then the life, of someone they loved. They knew how to face cancer, but dementia was a strange and bewildering disease.

In If Only, Clara speaks simply and eloquently to the question of, “What do I do now?” by relating in poetic form her dialogues with her father, and her internal discussion with her own heart. The accompanying illustrations by Michael Copeland serve well to bring home the thoughts and feelings contained in this small, simple, yet amazingly powerful book.

ISBN 978-1-60364-004-6

This book is presently OUT OF PRINT and no longer carried by the publisher. However, the author, Clara Cavender, has copies she will happily sell to you.

Contact Clara

What others say…

Article and review from the September 21, 2008 Anniston Star newspaper

“My old writing professor Hudson Strode had many refrains for his students. One he often repeated was: “Simplicity is greatness!” Clara Cavender’s homage to her father is a beautiful remembrance of him and his love. It is as real as life itself, and as precious.”

Wayne Greenhaw, author of THE LONG JOURNEY and
THUNDER OF ANGELS, and winner of the
2006 HARPER LEE AWARD

“Read this little book and read it again. It is rich in its insight as a daughter charts her and her father’s emotions as dementia gradually overtakes his life. This journey of faith will encourage you, should you have to travel this difficult road.”

Dr. Don Carroll, retired minister and
marriage enrichment counselor

“Clara Cavender’s remembrances in If Only demonstrate that when illness or death separate beloved family members, we can still walk down memory lane hand in hand with the ones we love. Clara’s words… stirred me to grasp, through memory, the hand of my beloved, and celebrate the path we walked together.”

Rev. Alan Lindell, pastoral counselor