sky above clouds
FINDING OUR WAY THROUGH CREATIVITY, AGING, AND ILLNESS
In The Media - Written
Sky Above Clouds was just featured in the ADEC Connect (Association for Death Education and Counseling)
"Miller draws upon her experience and insight as an expressive arts therapist and spouse in facing aging and illness to write a profound reflection on the role of creativity, growth and care in the midst of infirmity and even death. "
Read the whole review on page 8 by clicking the following PDF.
Sky Above Clouds was just featured on Cincinnati.com
"Miller shared how we live in a culture where aging is often looked at as a negative phenomenon. “We see this through ‘humorous’ birthday cards, and dismissive phrases such as ‘the autumn of your life.’ But we need to stop these misconceptions of aging and start focusing on the potential beyond problems,” Miller said."
Read the whole article here.
Sky Above Clouds was just featured in the University of Utah's, Caring Connections.
"This powerful and moving book reflects a true collaboration between artist and wife, Wendy Miller and her beloved husband-scientist, Dr. Gene Cohen. Each shining lights in their own respective disciplines, Sky
Above Clouds chronicles their shared life in the presence of heart crushing illness, dying, and death. Because of their deep love and clear-eyed honesty, this is an uplifting and poetic account fusing Gene Cohen’s dogged spirit and Wendy Miller’s radiant creativity. In their narrative of chronic illness, all aspects of life—working with the medical community, the impact on relationships, the revisiting of goals and dreams, and the transformation of their marriage—are forthrightly shared. This is the rare memoir that will prove valuable to those grieving a death, awaiting a death and for those who care for suffering persons."
A wonderful new review has just come out in The Gerontologist by Dr. Susan Mcfadden, Psychology Professor Emerita from the University of Wisconsin, Oshkosh. It begins: "Anyone familiar with Leonard Cohen’s song “Anthem” and its line, “there is a crack in everything; that’s how the light gets in,” will recognize a metaphor used by Wendy Miller and Gene Cohen in their book, Sky Above Clouds. They talk about the “existential crack” through which not only light but also the darkness of vulnerability enters human lives….” click here to read the remainder of the review.
Aging Today recently featured two articles on Sky Above Clouds. Click here here to read one, and find the other below.
Sky Above Clouds and Wendy Miller were just featured in an interview by Jewish Food Hero.
"Perhaps creativity and healing are one and the same, having the same task. The task of both creativity and healing is what I call “integrative intelligence” and what Gene called “developmental intelligence”. The main idea of both terms is the many ways in which we reflect on, take apart, and learn from our varied kinds of experiences."
For Part I of the interview click here, and click here for Part II.
The International Expressive Arts Therapy Association recently did an article on Sky Above Clouds.
To view the newsletter click the following PDF link, and go to page 113 to read the review.
The Washington Beacon recently did an article on Sky Above Clouds.
Click here to read their article on books spurred by experience with illness.
Sky Above Clouds was recently reviewed by Angel Duncan for the American Art Therapy Association.
Sky Above Clouds and Wendy Miller were just featured in an article for the Huffington Post.
Wendy had a wonderful time talking with Ben Arnon and about Sky Above Clouds. She always welcomes the opportunity to share her story in hopes that it will help others through aging, illness and loss, just as writing it helped her.
"Probably the most significant reason I continued, and ultimately what carried me through actually doing this - because writing a book is really hard work - was this: I had a quiet, intuitive voice that over time became a louder, more forceful voice that said: “If you don’t edit and publish this book, it will be as if Gene has died twice.” And I absolutely refused to let that happen."
Click here to read the whole article.
Sky Above Clouds was recently featured in Hot off the Press from The International Expressive Arts Therapy Association.
Sky Above Clouds has received wonderful reviews on Amazon!
Gary Oftedahl on October 4, 2017
Verified Purchaser
While still working through the book, I feel compelled to comment on the powerful nature of this work. While a "fan" of Gene Cohen from his previous books, especially The Mature Mind, this dense and complex work is extremely moving, as best I can describe it. As you see through both protagonist's eyes, his journey in addressing his terminal illness, and building on all the work he and his widow have done previously, created a visceral response which has caused me to look more deeply into my mortality, and my view of life.
This is NOT an easy read, and as someone who has read thousands of books, it will be seen as daunting to some. But trust me, if you take the time, put yourself in a reflective mood, and allow your mind and heart to open up to a deep and moving experience, this is well worth your time.
I will be finishing the book, and then reading it again, to more fully integrate and experience the emotions which have flooded over me as I read this incredible collection of experiences, writings, and perspectives. While I know it took Wendy (his widow) years before she could come back to working on this book after her husband's death, we all should thank her for bringing this important work to our attention.
As an aging baby boomer, it is both a challenge and an opportunity to expand my consciousness and thinking about life and our journey. As a physician, once imbedded in the health care system, it is a mind blowing, mind expanding vision of what is really important, and vital to all of us as we travel through life.
Sky Above Clouds gives the reader an amazing peek into what helps
Dr. Cara Barker, Jungian Analyst on May 29, 2017
A must read for anyone who appreciates the humane, the suffering of the human condition, and the elixir which heals. Sky Above Clouds gives the reader an amazing peek into what helps, heals, and promotes well-being in the most difficult of circumstances. Gene Cohen has written from a perspective of clinical humanity. His wife, Wendy, dips her pen in the ink of humanity through art. As we turn through the pages, we behold something truly special which puts human flesh onto archetypal bones. A true pleasure, rich in story and connection.
Two decades highlighting human spirit and creativity amidst illness and spectre of death.
By Sanford Finkel on July 6, 2016
What a wonderful and unique publication: a poignant description of the interface of illness, creativity, hope and joy, written by a man who has been dead for years and a very much alive and effervescent woman. The authors offer valuable insights for anyone who deals with the pains of the present and the hopes for the future.
This book promises to be a best seller for years to come!
Teaching - Sharing - Improving Lives
By Roger Anunsen, MINDRAMP on June 15, 2016
Sky Above Clouds educates minds and lifts hearts. This book will move everyone but will be invaluable to those who have found a calling in the field of aging. Gene’s work and especially his book The Mature Mind inspired me to create two of our cornerstone college gerontology courses The Aging Mind and Cognitive Activity Design. Sky Above Clouds has already inspired my colleagues and will inspire my students for years to come.
Miller gently weaves her story with Gene’s unpublished writings including how he described what so much of his life and professional career was all about – “teaching, sharing information, and helping improve the lives of others.” Through this book, Wendy and Gene teach, share and will surely help improve lives.
An Inner Battle of the Human Spirit
By Johanna W. on June 10, 2016
Sky Above Clouds is an apt metaphor both for Dr. Gene Cohen's pioneering research on aging, and the inner struggle he fought in his brave fourteen-year battle against the cancer that eventually took his life. Wendy Miller and Gene Cohen show us how to live fully and creatively through the process of aging and illness and Dr. Cohen's life became a living laboratory for a new paradigm of creative aging. Most poignantly, we are witness to the ring of love created around Dr. Cohen by his family that gave meaning to his on-going adversity and that gave him the strength to continue contributing to the field of aging and the lives of others right up to the end. It is impossible not to shed a few tears but also celebrate the human spirit while reading this extraordinary book.
Required reading for every social worker, doctor, and psychologist!
By Paul Rubenstein, MSW on June 7, 2016
Sky Above Clouds should be required reading for every doctor, every social worker, psychologist, nurse, and anyone in the helping professions. It rivals the book, THE SPIRIT CATCHES YOU AND YOU FALL DOWN, in its poignant rendition of living in the uncharted territory of illness. Achingly honest and bittersweet, this is an important book.
Incredibly inspiring on many levels. A must read for ...
By Nina M Utigaard on June 3, 2016
Incredibly inspiring on many levels. A must read for those approaching their eldership, as well as those exploring aging and human potential. This is the book.
Multi-layered approach to aging and existential challenges
By Emily Randall on May 31, 2016
I highly recommend Sky Above Clouds, first, to anyone who is facing the loss of a long-term partner. I am reminded of Ken Wilber's memoir, Grace and Grit, another powerful story of grief and loss. The book, however, is much more than a couple's experience. Sky Above Clouds also offers a multi-layered approach to aging and the existential challenges of life.
By Babaear on May 30, 2016
It has been a privilege to read this book, published by the Oxford University Press. Written by Wendy Miller, and conceived jointly before the death of her brilliant husband, the noted psychiatrist and expert on aging and the creative mind Gene Cohen, it is both a scholarly treatise and a memoir. Combining Cohen's insightful writings and Miller's deep thoughts on love, loss, grief, and healing, I cannot think of another book quite like it. The most important things to say are that Cohen lived with illness for many years and still made enormous contributions to his field, and that Miller honors those contributions, and the power of love, by remembering their relationship and their emotions with honesty and dignity.
By Harriet Son May 30, 2016
I read, enjoyed, and learned from this book about illness, death, life and loss through this example of the ability and necessity we all have to move beyond the death of someone we love. I appreciated experiencing Gene Cohen's way of looking at the world and helping individuals psychologically and medically understand what may be happening to them as they age, as well as Wendy Miller's way of using art to help people as they go through the wonders and problems that life can bring. I appreciated thinking about how the two different ways of thinking, feeling and working, actually blended, contrasted, and became even more than they would have been if Gene and Wendy had not had the opportunity to be with each other. It was interesting to see how the family members and friends reacted during this difficult and unexpectedly long period of time beyond the first recognition of Gene's diagnosis of his fatal illness. Stylistically I liked having Gene's thoughts in italics, so they stood out as if he were still talking to the reader. I wish I could have seen Wendy's art in more detail. Reading this reminds all of us that there can be "sky above the clouds".
By Strategic Communicatoron May 28, 2016
Sky Above Clouds is a beautifully written, heartfelt book that illuminates aging and illness with sensitivity and care. Wendy Miller and Gene Cohen's journey is a story for our time. Whether you are dealing with an illness or death, or know you likely will someday (and that includes most of us), this book shines a bright light on the creative forces within us that can ease the passage and bring a semblance of meaning to our grief. It is tale told by talented writers who have much to share and do so generously.
THIS IS A MUST READ BOOK - the best for our time
By Julie on April 20, 2016
This book is a MUST for everyone to read. It is humanizing and real and as we baby boomers are ageing, this book is a necessity. It makes one smile, laugh, cry and feel every possible emotion that one experiences. I truly loved reading this book and I felt for the author and for her family and I learned so much about myself and about ageing and health that I truly believe everyone should read this book.
5.0 out of 5 stars
THIS IS A MUST READ BOOK - the best for our time
By Julie on April 20, 2016
Verified Purchase
This book is a MUST for everyone to read. It is humanizing and real and as we baby boomers are ageing, this book is a necessity. It makes one smile, laugh, cry and feel every possible emotion that one experiences. I truly loved reading this book and I felt for the author and for her family and I learned so much about myself and about ageing and health that I truly believe everyone should read this book.
5.0 out of 5 stars
Remarkable journey through illness and death
By Elizabeth Haase on April 13, 2016
Verified Purchase
This is a gorgeous book. It is breathtaking because it so honestly reflects the experiences of Gene Cohen and Wendy Miller, husband and wife, highly educated and acclaimed in their fields of expertise as they move through the process of Gene's illness and eventual death. It is a book that is both deeply personal and filled with understanding, insight and creativity regarding coping with life threatening illness, grief, ongoing family and professional life and the process of aging. Having worked in this field for over 35 years, I am delighted to read a new book that is intellectually stimulating, personally gripping and adds to my knowledge of these crucial experiences in each of our lives.
