The Right Words at the Right Time Volume 2: Your Turn!

From big cities to farm communities, from office cubicles to hospital wards, from Normandy Beach to Boston's Fenway Park, the contributors to this remarkable volume — selected from among thousands in a nationwide search — tell riveting stories about the words that changed their lives forever.

You'll meet a "Plain Jane" from Seattle, whose world was rocked by a passing remark made by her favorite musician, backstage at a concert. You'll hear from the bereaved fianc

"'That Girl' Thomas follows up her bestselling inspirational volume, which collected stories from luminaries describing times when well-chosen words impacted their lives, with this collection of personal essays from more than 90 'ordinary Americans,', selected from thousands of submissions to a national contest. From the experience of a naval officer who comes to a major career decision in a Burger King to a woman's epiphany at a Zen Buddhist Monastery in Japan, these simple, touching stories highlight the moments when the right phrases or comments made a life-changing difference. Divided into thematic sections like 'At a Crossroads,' 'Taking Chances,' and 'Letting Go,' Thomas's new title may be a little Chicken Soup-esque, but this is no canned concentrate-this is genuine, home-cooked comfort food. Proceeds benefit St. Jude Children's Research Hospital." Publishers Weekly (Copyright Reed Business Information, Inc.)

Thomas, a role model herself and an award-winning actress and bestselling author, is joined by such luminaries as Tom Brokaw, President Jimmy Carter, Katie Couric, Steven Spielberg, and Venus Williams, each of whom tells a story of a turning point in his or her life brought about by just the right words.

From big cities to farm communities, from office cubicles to hospital wards, from Normandy Beach to Boston's Fenway Park, the contributors to this remarkable volume — selected from among thousands in a nationwide search --- tell riveting stories about the words that changed their lives forever.

For those of us in need of hope, a hero, or a healthy dose of inspiration, here is a heartwarming collection of personal revelations from some of today's greatest luminaries whose lives were changed by hearing the right words at the right time.

Marlo Thomas and Friends have contributed their stories and all royalties from The Right Words at the Right Time to St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, founded by Ms. Thomas's father, Danny Thomas, in 1962.

Contents

Acknowledgments

Foreword

Part One: The Simple Stuff

The Homecoming: Timothy Ciciora

A Beautiful Shade of Yellow: Jackie Sigmund

A Message in a Teddy Bear: Daniel Walisiak

An Umbrella to Remember: Susyn Reeve

Wisdom on Wheels: Maralyn Schwer

Confessions of a Plain Jane: Jane E. Van Leuven

Zen and the Art of Trying: DeMar Regier

Guinea Pigs, Pancakes, and Why I Hate Nike: Ame Stargensky

Eye on the Road: Zev Saftlas

Part Two: At a Crossroads

Forty: Ann Swinford, M.D.

The Big Fix: Mary N.

Breaking the Chains: Leigh Anne Jasheway-Bryant

Jumping the Tracks: Nicole Hanton

The Clock: Joan Mueller

Busted!: Ann Pierce

What I Found on the Couch: Dan C.

Prison Saved Me: Dax Xenos

Part Three: Taking Chances

My Perfect Mess: Nancy Roman

Facing the Music: Kathleen Muldoon

Bottom of the Ninth: Marlon LeTerrance

Everyone Is Shy: Julie Knapp

Bull Ahead: Donna Surgenor Reames

The Juror: Christine Ducey

The Right Road: Debra Cheehy

Part Four: Finding Yourself

Coffee with Sam: Michael Raysses

What Mama Said: Thomas Kennedy

The Ride Home: Mike Sackett

Through My Daughter's Eyes: Beverly Tribuiani-Montez

On the Same Ground: Tena Zapantis

More Than Feet and Inches: Ruthie Just Braffman

Saved!: Ted LoRusso

By Any Means Necessary: Ron Rey

Part Five: Survival

A Silent Night in Vietnam: Stephen T. Banko III

Bitter or Better: Judith Grace

Within My Reach: Pius Kamau, M.D.

A Single Word: Janice Ann Nelson

A Serious Case of the L.I.D.s: David Parker

The Poem That Reached Through Time: Diana Michael

Chew Your Water: Terrie McKenna

Nobody Dies Here: Bob Lenox

Doing the Thing You Cannot Do: Carole O'Hare

15 Minutes: Katie Adair

Part Six: Friends & Family

The Well: Charlie Riggs

The Boy at Ground Zero: Paul Keating

That's What Friends Are For: David Sanger

Grandma's Big Secret: Anne Shaw Heinrich

Sassy: Patti Virella

A Hitchhiker's Tale: Robert J. Simmons

Just Enough of Today: Shara Pollie

The Greatest Gift: Stella Pulo

Win-Win: Mauricio Heilbron, Jr., M.D.

Just Getting Started: Cynthia Harris

Part Seven: On the Job

Stacking the Logs: Frank Lunn

Passing the Test: Margery Hauser

Coulda-Woulda-Shoulda: Linda Roth Conte

Wanted: Gor Yaswen

What You Tolerate: Gerry Oguss

Truck No. 15: Bert Goolsby

Love at Work: Ruth B. Spiro

Shirkaholic: John Donohue

Part Eight: Love & Romance

Falling for Charlie: Janet Guillet

Love Song: Laura Neumeyer

Jane Austen Meets the New York Giants: Geralyn Ruane

50-50: Brenda Degner

Grab Him and Kiss Him: Kaye Whillock

The Anniversary Card: Elizabeth Morrissey

You Just Know: Lisa Mercurio

Australian Love Story: Diana Harley

Part Nine: Keeping the Faith

Yelling at God: Carol Kodish-Butt

An Unexpected Prayer: Steve Martinez

Good Enough for Now: Rebecca Marie Barkin

Circles in the Dirt: Jon B. Fish

Coming to America: Herbert Launer

Being Carried: Denise Horbaly

Repairing My World: Tom Yulsman

Part Ten: Essentials

Covering All the Bases: Jay Ratliff

Every Person I Meet: Kathleen Nash

Help!: Jacqueline Sia

One Does What One Can: Kathy Faught

The Chemistry Test: Eric Dodson Greenberg

The Credit Hammer: Archie Harper

The Pride Inside: Stephanie Castillo

Nana After Hours: Lloyd Lederkramer

The Accidental Accordionist: Kay Hickman

A Bird on Your Head: Wanda Thomas

Part Eleven: Letting Go

Growth in the Valley: Richard Cook

My Father's Daughter: Karri Watson

It Went Unspoken: Mark Drought

A Matter of Forgiveness: J.

A Hero's Return: Susan Luzader

Celebrating Jonathan: Amy Jaffe Barzach

The Unthinkable: Terry Naylor

My Sister's Letter: Paul E. Mulryan

Part Twelve: The Bottom Line

Nothin' But a Thing: Dorsey Prince Leonard

The Pentagon, 9/11: April Gallop

Keep It in Your Head: Marne Benedict

The Broken Lamp: Tim O'Driscoll

Surviving Mom: Ann Hite

Waiting for My Real Life to Begin: Maureen Ryan Griffin

Coda: Gregory Fouts

Part Thirteen: A St. Jude Story A Regular Kid: Lindsey Wilkerson