Suzanne Reilly

A Red Tide in Winter Suzanne Reilly

When my 12 year old neice lived her last year in a hospital bed, she still traveled the world through art. She learned about family loyalty, universal truths and famous paintings. Forgetting that she was sick and probably dying, the artists showed her all that was beautiful and tragic, like herself. She came to realize that she was a part of nature's grand scheme, not some rotten and unholy person who got cancer. Before she was diagnosed with leukemia, Amber played like all the other kids in the summer-swimming and running up the boardwalk to her grandfather's Wharf Casino restaurant. But it was her discovery of the Cap'ts treasure map, in the attic studio, that turned her into a bloodhound-and she had to know everything. Yes, her life was far too short, still she taught us to be strong, but kind, truthful and curious-loving more than yourself. I wrote this book as a memorial to her, and to give others a chance to appreciate the healing powers of art.