Bloom

Finding Beauty in the Unexpected - A Memoir

By: Kelle Hampton

Narrated by: Kelle Hampton

Length: 6 hrs and 41 mins

Publisher's summary

There is us. Our Family. We will hold our precious gift and know that we are lucky....

From the outside looking in, Kelle Hampton had the perfect life: a beautiful two-year-old daughter, a loving husband, and a thriving photography career. When she learned she was pregnant with their second child, they were ecstatic. But when their new daughter was placed in her arms in the delivery room, Kelle knew instantly that something was wrong. Nella looked different than her sister, Lainey, had at birth. As her friends and family celebrated, a terrified Kelle was certain that Nella had Down syndrome - a fear her pediatrician soon confirmed. Yet gradually Kelle embraced the realization that she had been chosen to experience an extraordinary and special gift.

With lyrical prose and gorgeous photography, Bloom takes listeners on a wondrous journey through Nella's first year of life - a gripping, hilarious, and intensely poignant trip of transformation in which a mother learns that perfection comes in all different shapes.

©2013 Kelle Hampton (P)2013 HarperCollins Publishers

Beautiful Story

This is a beautiful story of transforming grief and sadness into joy and hope, through the support of an amazing family and true friendship. So inspiring when going thru any trial, Kelle tells of her journey beautifully.

excellent

thank you for opening up with the truth ...and a great life that hit a few struggles

Beautifully written!

Would you recommend this audiobook to a friend? If so, why?

I love how this book is written. So descriptive with raw emotion. I cried page after page.

Who was your favorite character and why?

Kelle was my favorite character. I love that she shared something so personal and emotional. After experiencing a similar situation I went throughout debilitating depression, Kelle was able to put in to words how I felt. It was a very cathartic read.

If you were to make a film of this book, what would the tag line be?

I think that the book is perfectly named. "Finding beauty in the unexpected"

Any additional comments?

I loved the narrator! Beautiful book and beautifully read. Some narrators have voices that you just can't stand. Kelle has a nice voice and she reads the book with pure love and emotion. I cannot recommend this book enough!

Wonderful and inspirational

This book was a wonderful story of grief, friendship, and unconditional love. I recommend this book for any mom, dad, relative, or individual who desires to understand what compassion and support look like. And while difficult to read as an expectant mother of a down syndrome child, Kelly and Nella's story is a great encouragement and story of hope.

Everyone needs to hear this!

This was easy to listen to and so well written and performed! Kelle’s raw description of her longing to become a mother and her feelings along the way tug at the heartstrings. It is easy to get into and is a beautiful story that showcases pain and love mixed with humor. This is one of the best books I’ve listened to!

The narrator talks too fast ,can hardly catch up

It's a beautiful inspiring book , specially to those parents who's going through the same situation ..

The author is so whiny, I couldn't keep listening!

What reaction did this book spark in you? Anger, sadness, disappointment?

I like books about parenting. I like stories about children with challenges. I didn't finish this book however - I got SO sick of the author's "woe is me" attitude! Mind you, this is probably how she really felt about the situation, and I'm sure if I continued to read she would have eventually shut the hell up, but I just couldn't take it anymore. Ruined it for me.

Disappointed

I love her writing style and could relate to her memoir after becoming a mama to a child with DS. But, after spending the first year of our life with my child in the NICU & subsequent hospital stays, I just felt that this book became unrelatable and honestly a bit whiney. I was hoping by halfway through this memoir, to not be still engulfed in those tough hospital days. Sorry, you lost my interest and was hoping for more inspiration.