Support

REVIEWS

Michael Morris on amazon March 25, 2021:
​​5.0 out of 5 stars Heartbreaking, heartwarming, breathtaking, and inspiring
This book is a beautiful tribute to an amazing person. It is a gift, written and given to close friends and family during a dark, difficult time as a way to help them find the light and the path through it. Though it is an honest look at death and dying, it is truly a book about life and living. It is a must read for anyone who has fought or is fighting cancer, and it is for those of us who have lost someone or supported someone in the fight against cancer. But it should also be read by those of us (which is to say, all of us) who need to be reminded about what is really important in life: the precious little time we have with our loved ones and how to spend it.

Though I didn’t know Rachel personally, reading this book made me feel as though I did. Her voice and spirit shine so brightly in her stories, messages to friends and family, and poems, as she paints a picture of her life as she battled cancer. Especially poignant is her selfless concern for her family and friends–the fact that despite her own pain and fear and anxiety, above all else, she was so deeply saddened at the thought of the pain and fear and anxiety felt by those close to her.

Though it was heartbreaking to read of her struggles–the effects of chemo and radiation, the loss of her beautiful hair, the difficult conversations with her husband and children, the helplessness, the pain, and the grief–it was ultimately heartwarming and breathtaking to see how she chose to live her life with dignity, grace, compassion (for herself and others), and a sense of style and humor. The ways she found a way to re-invent herself, to not fall prey to self-pity, and to show her gratitude and love to everyone in her life is inspiring.

Reading this book, you will be reminded of what a precious gift our lives are, especially the love and support of our family and friends. Though the thought of dying or losing a loved one to cancer is heartbreaking and terrifying, her stories and poems somehow find a way to transcend the fear and the sense of loss. The illustrations that accompany the words are beautiful and delicately lead the reader from one page to the next, acting as a subtle reminder of the connection between roots and leaves. The words and the illustrations combine to show how art can transcend life itself and the fear of our own mortality.

I would highly recommend this book. It is a gift to yourself, to help you through dark times; it is a gift to loved ones, who may need some light and beauty, and it is a gift to those who are fighting cancer, who will benefit from the proceeds from the sales of this book.

R.A. on amazon April 30, 2021:
5.0 out of 5 stars Heartfelt and Authentic
I loved Rachel’s book. The first half of the book is all letters she wrote while going through her cancer journey and the second part are all beautiful poems she wrote. This is a real story, not of success or failure but of what really happens when you go through this difficult journey. I would recommend it for anyone going through this journey or knowing someone who is or if you just love beautiful poetry. The poems were edited by none other than famous Canadian poet Lorna Crozier.

Book review by Ann Goldblatt June 21, 2021

We root, we leaf is a moving journey into the world of Rachel Devins. I have known her loving family in Edmonton for three decades but this collection of Rachel’s revealing correspondence, essays, and poetry connected me to a vibrant and creative life that I had only known vicariously.

Rachel was diagnosed with breast cancer in the spring of 2012 and endured a year of chemotherapy, surgery, and radiation only to have the disease return with a vengeance in the fall of 2013. She passed away at the age of 45 in June 2014.

Rachel’s writing shines an intimate light on the changes she was experiencing and her fears of what lay ahead. These ongoing thoughts are interlaced with reflections on how her cancer was affecting the people she loved and those who treasured her, longing to see her children grow up, and the unanswerable questions she faced about her own mortality. As I moved through each entry, Rachel’s disarmingly honest expression of her emotional highs and lows, her spunky and dogged pursuit of dignity, courage, and the opportunity to grow, and her compassion for the others she encountered in shared treatment spaces, drew me closer and closer.

Rachel’s willingness to allow people to help her and her family, and, in turn, her creative, relational, and generous ways of giving back to her community of support, from the parking lot staff to receptionists, nurses, social workers, massage therapists, technicians and doctors, to family, friends, and colleagues, mentors and those she taught, are a testament to the importance of allowing people in when we are confronted with upheaval.  Through the pass-it-forward Project Rockin’ Locks Rachel founded, her generosity extended to people with cancer diagnoses whom she had never met but wanted to help with “inspiring hair.”

No one should go through this alone. We all need to be part of something greater than ourselves. We all need to lean on each other and trust each other. And we need to catch each other when we are weak.

Bringing together this collection of Rachel’s artful writing was a labour of love and loyalty and we, the readers, have been offered an inspiring gift from her deep well of insight.

COMMENTS 

Fond memories of Rachel will live in many hearts. 
—Cindy

What an experience—getting to know Rachel through the wonderful tributes at her book launch. She was obviously a truly incredible person, enhancing all those whose lives she touched.  Rachel certainly leaves a fantastic legacy in the hearts of everyone who knew her. It is fantastic that you were all able to publish her poetry so that her “making a difference” could keep on going to all of you, and to many who have never met her.
—Jane

So many things will stay with me but the eloquence of each speaker was incredible and made me feel like I had known Rachel. What an amazing, brilliant, empathetic & talented human being.
—Francie

It was wonderful to listen to everyone’s memories of Rachel, and how much she affected their lives. As I’ve said before, truly a labour of love, that is evident on every page.
—Jan

What a wonderful tribute to Rachael last night. She seemed like an amazing woman. I wish I could have met her. In addition to all the many incredible qualities that were mentioned, it also sounded like she was so much fun to be around. That fact that she had such a large support group around her is a testimony to the fact that she made such a positive impression on those she met. I have bought her book and I look forward to getting to know her more through her writings. 
—Kate

What a beautiful and loving tribute to Rachel.  And it was wonderful “meeting” all the people who supported Rachel – what a remarkable group of women, including Lorna.  She speaks in poetry.

The book – well it’s very special, not only because of our connection with Rachel, but because of what and how she recorded her thoughts and expressed herself.

This is such a meaningful way to keep her memory, and bring comfort and support to others who may be experiencing the same journey.  
—Marcia

What a wonderful tribute to Rachel.  She was obviously a special human being who touched and influenced so many people’s lives.  I know how proud you are of her and so you should be!

I loved learning about her passions, her style, and personality and her wit. 
—Judy

I just wanted to tell you how impressed and proud I felt of our Rachel and of all of you tonight…the book launch was a beautiful tribute to Rachel and to your family. 
—Ricki

This is a wonderful tribute to your beautiful sister and her indomitable spirit full of love, laughter, positivity and what a writer!

Her love, light and positivity live on.
—Deb 

What a wonderful event to honor Rachel! We learned things about her that we never knew and we were inspired by how many peoples’ lives she touched.
—Cookie and Steve

What a beautiful, beautiful event. I am so happy to have been able to attend and to share the experience with so many people who were special to Rachel. Wishing that we could have been together in person to share and celebrate the launching of this book, but feel so appreciative that technology allowed the event to take place!
—Bailey & Andrew

That was absolutely lovely!  Is it possible to feel happy and sad at exactly the same time?
—Ilanah

Just received and promptly read Rachel’s “we root, we leaf”.  I could not put it down:  it was as if I was in the same room with her again. 

 My reaction:  A TREE CUT DOWN TOO SOON, YET SO VERY ALIVE TODAY…

—D

I just wanted to thank you for inviting me to attend the book launch last night.  It was a really beautiful tribute to Rachel, and I learned so many new things about her.

 She was obviously a huge influence and positive spirit in the lives of many and I look forward to reading her book when it arrives.

 I’m sure Rachel would be thrilled and appreciative of all the time and effort you have spent getting her book published.
—Melissa

This was quite an evening with Rachel.  A beautiful tribute to an exceptional friend. 
—D

Thank you so much for sharing the link to the event.  I have just watched it and it was amazing. The set-up was great, so many different speakers, all with such great memories of Rachel.  It was a real tribute to her.  She has touched so many lives and inspired so many people, it’s unbelievable.  I feel privileged to have known her.

 I can’t thank you enough for organizing this event together with the WICWC, Bonnie, Susan and others and providing me the possibility to watch this afterwards.  
—Marjolein

HOW YOU CAN SUPPORT

One of the best ways you can support is by submitting a review on amazon.ca or amazon.com. Reviews from verified purchases improve the likelihood of a search finding our book. And when more people find and purchase “we root, we leaf,” more funding is donated to Montreal’s West Island Cancer Wellness Centre, and more people fulfill Rachel’s wish of sharing her writing with the world.

You can also support by spreading the word, giving this book as a gift, and encouraging others to purchase, read, share, and possibly review “we root, we leaf.”

Finally, you can support Rachel’s cause by living with the lessons you take with you from her words.

Home | About | Support | Contact