An end-of-life story of awe, Rosemary, Now and Then ventures back and forth through death's door with stark truths, vibrant compassion, and afterlife intrigue. Strokes untether Rosemary from known reality, yet dementia uplifts her spirit, compelling her paramedic daughter to reconsider definitions of mental disorder in particular and the nature of death in general. A clever nurse translates dementia findings into a poetic image for family: "Rosemary's brain is like lace."

Fine threads of brilliance weave intricate Irish-veil thoughts through her filigree mind. Her three-year-old self emerges, radiant and quizzical. Grappling with the nature of existence, Rosemary laughs her way to the grave. Devoted daughter Christina devises caregiving innovations and connects dots of amazing coincidences. Paradoxes of mortality balance gravity with hilarity, pain with joy, absurdity with wisdom, practicality with mysticism.

The "Now and Then" format depicts leaps in time, place, and person that challenge reality, in league with Rosemary's mind.

A journey of wit, wisdom, and sheer determination, Rosemary's story concludes with her signature cinnamon bun recipe for readers to bake and share with loved ones . . . as Rosemary would do.