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Mark O'Brien — 5.0 out of 5 stars A Gentle Journey Inward. — Reviewed in the United States on August 11, 2023

Full disclosure: I know Amy LaBossiere. In fact, I’m the Mark O’Brien mentioned in her book. Given what I knew of Amy and this project, I was expecting a detailed explication of her recovery from alcoholism. But Finding Still Waters is so much more than that. Rather than the art of conscious recovery, it’s more like the artful recovery of consciousness.

This is Amy’s journey into herself, back to herself — to her essence, to her artistic inclination, to her spiritual calling. From a childhood of confusion, trauma, and loss to an adulthood of ad hoc experimentation and deliberate seeking, this is a candid account of a life lived fully and sometimes painfully. Marcel Proust wrote, “We are healed of a suffering only by experiencing it to the full.” And Amy was determined to experience everything, to shirk nothing, and to be fully healed.

Alcohol is an aspect of Amy’s story, a character in it, playing the role of coping and distraction. But it’s not the star of this show. Amy is. Her relentless seeking is. Her open-mindedness is. Her determination to find herself is, regardless of the daunting nature of the search.

Ultimately, this book is a study in courageous resoluteness. It deserves to be read. It deserves to be shared. It will occupy that place in your heart that refuses to give up, no matter how tempting it may be to do so.

Bravo, Amy. Bravo.

“A heartfelt, artful book that both reminds us of our shared humanness, and empowers our healing. Much of the culture is determined to distract us from what lies within. This wonderful book invites us back. I enjoyed the read!”   ~ Jeff Brown, author of ‘An Uncommon Bond’

“Amy invites the reader to join her on a powerful and vulnerable journey through loss, addiction and ultimately healing. A wise guide who teaches us about the opportunity to evolve through the aching challenges of life, Amy leads us on the path of wisdom as someone who has given her entire body, heart, and soul to the great work of waking up one moment at a time.”   ~ Dr. Brandon Nappi, Copper Beech Institute

“Amy LaBossiere is a mystic for modern times. Her quest to find “still waters” is a metaphor for those who define ourselves as “seekers.” So many of us need to find a place guided by the Divine where we are nurtured; our soul is restored and our cup can run-over. This book tells the story of her journey and opens up a pathway to our own.” ~ Rev. Dr. Shelley D. Best, President & CEO, The 224 EcoSpace

Broadway stylist with
Norwich roots opens
community hair salon

Published October 20. 2020 7:39AM 
Amy LaBossiere, Special to The Times

When the pandemic hit in March, Norwich resident Lisa Chan-Wylie was on tour with the Broadway production of “Hello Dolly” in Buffalo, N.Y., managing hair and makeup.

A community of
faith serves up
jazz, meals and hope

Published November 25. 2020 7:38AM 
Amy LaBossiere, Special to The Times

On Sunday mornings on the front lawn of St. Mark Lutheran Church, home of The Place, a jazz & gospel ensemble plays as families gather with lawn chairs and coffee, while neighbors sit out on their decks to listen.

Nonagenarian Norwich
native unofficially
outruns world record

Published December 18. 2020 8:06AM 
Amy LaBossiere, Special to The Times

For her 90th birthday, Florence Huntington’s twin sons encouraged her to beat the world record for the 5-kilometer track run.