Elizabeth Haswell Books

"Afterwards"...begins with the end of Jed and Jessica Oaks' life journey. Jed's final act, as his sister lies dying, is to write an important letter in email form, to both his and his sister's individual family groups. In it he explains that he and Jessica have started a very worthwhile project but time, unfortunately, has run out for them. Unless something is done, their old, bucolic farm home and animal sanctuary will cease to exist. Important decisions have been made. Seven spunky, orphaned children have been selected to come and find safe haven at Twin Oaks. Each is twelve years of age, the exact age of Jed and Jessica when they were left on their own long ago. Excellent leaders have been hired to provide for their care and support. Competent lawyers have arranged all legalities. Money is not a problem. Still, Jed recognizes even all these preparations may not be enough. His email is a request for additional help from all of them. The question is - was Jed and Jessica's dream too much to hope for? Is there any chance of success?

This is a story woven from the lives of three people: Andrew Lambton, a builder of bridges, Jozsef Lambton, an obstetrician, and Claire Clark, a beautiful woman whose life is bound up in theirs. Jozsef Lambton has the best possible life. He has found a satisfying profession. His wife, Barbara, is a great and good friend. He adores his daughter, Devon. What haunts him, though, are memories of his past. His father, Andrew Lambton, a former Barnardo boy, has achieved great financial success, yet, the loss of his wife, Zajac, drives him to despair. Claire Clark has survived a dark, chilling and very damaging childhood but, in her struggle to survive, she has overcome her demons. What appears to be a chance meeting between Claire and Jozsef is, instead, an important mission for Claire. She has found peace in the green hills and valleys of a small, country town, with her beloved son Dean, but the time has come to tell both Jozsef and Dean of their true relationship. Other characters are an important part of the story: a determined school teacher, a willful daughter, a forgiving son. There are equal portions of love, laughter, heartache and struggle in The Importance of Bridges. Hopefully, should you begin to read it, it will draw you in and, by means of laughter and understanding, awakened your deepest emotions.