Inspirational Feedback
The Light of Healing Hope Foundation has received hundreds of letters expressing the positive impact our books have had on individuals during difficult times in their lives. These letters, and the courage and strength of those who write them, have been a source of inspiration and the impetus for our continued work.
About Healing Light
“I am writing to thank you for the beautiful book Healing Light. The book made me both smile and cry, because when I opened it, the first page I turned to was “Forever Entwined”. The author seemed to put into words, the feelings that I hold so very deep within my heart. I always tell people that my husband will forever be in my heart because he is my heart. And although my heart remains broken, it is forever in love with him and only him. Again, thank you so very much for this incredibly beautiful book. We will cherish it always.” B.C., New Jersey
“Thank you so much for the beautiful book, Healing Light. The visual and verbal combination is truly a work of art. The message, New Resolve, was on the page when I opened the book. I couldn’t believe how perfect that was for me. I’ve been having a hard time coping with the attack and it’s aftermath as I’m sure many other are also. With the help from a psychologist and psychiatrist, I’m trying to achieve all that the New Resolve states, although going on year number five; it is taking me a long time.” S.L., Missouri
“I want to express my sincere thanks for the book Healing Light. The author has expressed a profound vision in her poetry and her choice of Indian Mughal art paintings. This gift was and will always be an inspiration as I journey through life. My son Jim was on the United flight, on his way to Thailand.” C.R., Maine
“Thank you for your wonderful gift. Healing Light contains the words I need to speak to Richard and speak about my love for him. My favorite poem “Forever Entwined” is how I live each day.” G.C. New Jersey
“Words can’t express how much the wonderful book you sent us means. I placed it on our piano next to a book about Angels. Thank you so much for thinking of us. It doesn’t get easier with time. It just becomes a part of your everyday. Our son Peter was a gift. A wonderful gift.” J.O., New York
“Thank you for such a moving book. It has given me great comfort.” M.M., New York
“Thank you for the most inspiring book, Healing Light. The poems are beautiful and the illustrations are also rare, outstanding, and inspiring. The poem, One With You, makes me feel like being in flight because I love to watch birds fly. Our son Tom was a Policeman and never made it out. Our other son was on the 81st floor when the plane hit. Thank God he made it out.” T.G. New Jersey
“I would like to thank you so much for the beautiful book – everyone loves it! It’s people like you that make this world a better place!” JC, Brooklyn, NY
“I thought Alexandra’s beautiful little book with its inspiring words and lovely images might bring comfort and healing to the grieving families of the September 11 victims.” The Honorable John C. Whitehead, Former Chairman of the Lower Manhattan Development Corporation
“I read two or three pages a night before I close my eyes. Some of the messages in the prose I’ve read were so profound it was as if they were written for me specifically.” S. , Florida
“I was truly moved by Alexandra de Borchgrave’s beautiful book of poems. Obviously I have given some thought about how to deal with disappointment and sorrow, and I found the prayers/poems so healing.” A.V., New York
“I wanted to thank Alexandra Villard de Borchgrave for the lovely book “Healing Light.” It is just beautiful and so comforting. I was wondering if I could purchase an additional copy of the book. I have a niece who lost her father in May, and she is quite sad. Her favorite uncle, George William Morell, died in 9/11 and her mom was murdered in December of ’94. She has such a tremendous sense of loss, and I thought this book might give her a sense of hope.” C. R., New York
“I am surrounded by beauty and yet “Healing Light” poured itself into some not-easily-touched places inside of me and softened, gentled, illuminated my spirit. Thanks to everyone who reached out with such exquisite kindness.” M. M., California
“…Thank you so much for your beautiful volume of hope. Healing Light offers comfort and strength not only through the carefully crafted words but through its more subtle message of art and presentation. It is a book that I intend to share with my parishioners who have experienced loss or deep disappointment…” The Rectory of Christ Church Parish, Maryland
“…The more I look at the pages the deeper I find myself in a meditation of goodness and love. Your book will be a comfort to anyone who opens its cover and finds the Bliss inside.” M. H.
“Our… who has a husband diagnosed with cancer revealed to me yesterday that every single day she has been reading a leaf of your wonderful Healing Light. I was so touched: she said it meant the world to her.” S. M., New York
Letters to USO from military families for Healing Light
“Thank you and God Bless you for the Beautful Book.” Gratefully, Stan and Gaynell Lapinski, Proud Parents of CPL. Stanley J. Lapinski
“Thank you so much for the beautiful book of poems. It has helped me and my family in our grieving process more than you can ever imagine.” Katharin Jordan and Family of M.C. Peek
“My family and I would like to thank you for the wonderful book “Healing Light.” It will be read many times over, as we all deal with the loss of a wonderful, brave young man, son, and brother, Sgt. Chad I. Vallmer. (12. 23.06) God Bless you from a Soldier’s Family” Ms. Sandra Vallmer, Mr. Terry Vallmer, Ben & Heather DeHaan
“Thank you, and the anonymous donor, for the beautiful book, “Healing Light”. The poems are very useful when I start my daily quiet time for meditation and prayer. The illustrations are gorgeous. Thank you for this gift in memory of my son, Spc. Christopher Mervill. Our family appreciates your support and remembrance of our courageous Fallen Hero.” Pat Mervill
“I want to thank you and your organization (USO of Metropolitan Washington) for your condolences and the beautiful, inspirational book that you sent me. It truly supports me and touched my heart. It has been a difficult journey without my son, SPC. Jacob Fletcher, but through the love and kindness from my American family I am lifted to keep moving forward.” Blessings,Dorine Kenney
“The so very thoughtful book of inspiration could not have come at a better time. I’ve been having a particularly difficult time dealing with the death of our wonderful 19 year-old son – trying to cope with the fact that most people (even close friends) have forgotten our loss or haved grieved with us and moved on. We continue to function but our grief does not diminish and it was so comforting to receive the book. …With heartfelt thanks, Meredith E. Braun, Stafford Spgs, CT
“Thank you and your organization (USO of Metropolitan Washington) for your comforting works and especially for such a lovely gift. It arrived at my home on Monday, April 30, the same day I found out that a close friend had passed away after a long battle with cancer. The many beautiful poems express all our feelings at times of personal loss and I will be sharing them with her family.” Sincerely, Lemore C. Roberts
“Thank you for the absolutely beautiful book you sent. The messages are most comforting and the illustrations are beautiful. The thoughtfulness of you and the anonymous donor in thinking of us is truly heartwarming, and very much appreciated. May God bless the USO- a wonderful organization.” Sincerely, Dave and Anne Larson, parents of LCPL Nicholas Larson
“Thank you very much. These words of beauty and serenity are very touching. I appreciate receiving this book as it comes with caring and God’s work.” Bill I.W. Engel, Centennial, CO
About Heavenly Order
“In an age when words fly in bits and bytes with incredible speed, when tiny devices containing the texts of whole libraries have virtually become appendages to the human body, Alexandra Villard de Borchgrave wisely reminds us of a culture beyond mechanism and utility, one that is grounded in the physical beauty of words.” James T. Ulak, Deputy Director Freer Gallery of Art and Arthur M. Sackler Gallery and Curator of Japanese Art
“Alexandra Villard de Borchgrave has sought to invoke the sister arts of poetry and painting, not one as an illustration of the other, not one in tandem behind the other, but as two simultaneous voices in harmony… The spirit of this poetry is redemptive…” Julian Raby, Director Freer Gallery of Art and Arthur M. Sackler Gallery
“Heavenly Order is a beautiful book-the heartfelt words of the poet set against exquisite images of Japanese art. The reader of these pages takes a journey inward, to a place that is serene and lovely” David Ignatius, Washington Post columnist and author of New York best seller, Body of Lies
“Alexandra once again soothes a troubled world with words of grace and comfort.” Josette Sheeran, Executive Director, United Nations World Food Programme
“Thank you so much for your inspirational words on Tranquility – so needed in the chaos…” S. C., Florida
“Your poems are beautiful, thoughtful, loving, and they tear at the heartstrings… You sent me a poem (A Sea of Tranquility) after Eric died. I have it, with his photo, by my bed. I read it every night. Although I am still in fragments, I know that the “tide of faith” will bring me to “wisdom and strength.” M. W., Washington, D.C.
“Clouds of Anger has helped me on several occasions through the night! I love the book – its beauty abounds in every way.” S. E., Virginia
“One of my friends was diagnosed with lung cancer yesterday… I am going to give her a copy of your book when I see her on Sunday after she completes her first three days of chemo… Thank you in advance for your words of comfort that she will read and feel. You are making a huge impact with people at the most difficult times of their lives.” K. R., Washington, D.C.
“…Heavenly Order is lovely to look at, to hold in my hands and inspires good thoughts in the reading.” Susan, Washington D.C.
“God Bless you for bringing such joy and comfort into people’s lives.” S. A., Maryland
“Thank you so much for these beautiful books. They are absolutely incredible… We are contemplating here how best to get these into the hands of cancer survivors…who will truly find hope and inspiration.” Shanti Norris, Executive Director Smith Farm Center for Healing and the Arts
“The pain that my family is suffering at this time is deep, raw and invasive every day. My beloved child Steven, was a handsome, energetic, competent, successful man, husband, parent, son and sibling. The loss is unimaginable in the prime of his lovely life. You will appreciate that Children of Pain has become my daily reading material. Years may soften the blow, but the “icy dagger” will remain a lifetime.” M. S., Washington, D.C.
“Your presentation inspired the audience with its clarity and the beauty of your publications, comforted several who bought books to share with others in difficult circumstances, and inspired a few to consider beginning their own works of art not only as a matter of self-expression, but as a way to help others.” Roberta Ann Culbertson, PhD, Director, Virginia Foundation for the Humanities
“You show such wonderful sensitivity to our human plight and chart a luminous path from darkness and pain to peace and enlightenment. Setting your poems against the rich art of 16th and 17th century Japan was truly inspired and takes them to an even higher level of meaning.” K. K., Maryland
About Beloved Spirit
“In moving from her first book to her third, Alexandra Villard de Borchgrave has abandoned narrative for spirit. Yet the images form a sequence that has an over-arching narrative, as they follow the light and shades of a passing day, reminding us that, like all creatures, we are in this world for a fleeting moment.” Julian Raby, Director, Freer Gallery of Art and Arthur M. Sackler Gallery
“Each page of Beloved Spirit sensitively juxtaposes a detail, whether a light soaked cloud, a tender sprig, or a lush blossoming flower, with a poem, subtly alternating rhythms of word and image and creating a harmonious whole.” Massumeh Farhad, Chief Curator and Curator of Islamic Art, Freer Gallery of Art and Arthur M. Sackler Gallery
Quotes from the Medical Community
“Alexandra’s poems fill a patient’s inner void with hope which contributes significantly to the overall healing process in cancer.”
Dr. David Sidransky, Oncology, Johns Hopkins Medical School