Anchor and Flares

A Memoir of Motherhood, Hope, and Service

By: Kate Braestrup

Narrated by: Kate Braestrup

Kate Braestrup's life was transformed by the loss of her husband; now Kate faces the possibility that she may lose her son. As a young mother, Kate Braestrup discovered the fierce protectiveness that accompanies parenthood.

In the intervening years -- through mourning her husband and the joy of remarriage and a blended family-Kate has absorbed the rewards and complications of that spirit. But when her eldest son joins the Marines, Kate is at a crossroads: Can she reconcile her desire to protect her children with her family's legacy of service? Can parents balance the joy of a child's independence with the fear of letting go?

As Kate examines the twinned emotions of faith and fear -- inspired by the families she meets as a chaplain and by her son's journey towards purpose and familyhood -- she learns that the threats we can't predict will rip us apart and knit us together.

Critic reviews

Praise for Here If You Need Me

"Bracing and lovely... She brings the same mix of raw feeling, bravery and tenderness to her work in the field. It's hard to imagine a better companion with whom to sit out an agonizing wait or study the lessons of loss and a self-mended heart."—Martha Fay, More Magazine

"A must-read for any parent who has tried to answer a child's hard questions or for anyone who has struggled to find meaning. Best of all, this remarkable true story is told with uncommon candor, grace and humor... This is one search-and-rescue you won't want to miss."—Martha White, Christian Science Monitor

"A superbly crafted memoir of love, loss, grief, hope and the complex subtleties of faith."
—Jane Ciabattari, Washington Post

Does prayer work? “No and yes.”

Kate Braestrup, a chaplain to Maine game wardens and a Unitarian minister, gives the best answer that I’ve ever encountered to the twin questions of how can a good God allow so much evil in the world and can humans affect such a God by prayer. She herself, in her professional life as well as her personal life, has endured so much suffering, yet she maintains that life is good. She is witty and deep and the same time, as when she observes that she is going through the three stages of man, optimism, pessimism, and cynicism, “in reverse order.” I even found the book helpful in putting today’s troubling political situation into perspective. I am grateful that people such as she share our humanity and that I discovered her in time to gain the benefit of “knowing” her.

Kate Braestrup is once again an inspiring beacon.

Kate Braestrup is eloquent, compelling, challenging, informative and sweet. Her stories encourage her readers to be better people, better partners and better moms.

Beautifully done!

Kate Brastrup has a wonderful flair for combining her personal experiences with social commentary, humor, and Life wisdom Her writing is a deeply meaningful Ministry. The state of Maine game wardens are lucky to have her – – as are we all!