Pieces Falling

Biographies & Memoirs

synopsis

Synopsis

As a wife and mom, church volunteer, and small business owner, Ann Van Hine prided herself on being in control of her life. Until 9/11. Pieces Falling is Ann's story of navigating the very personal loss of her husband, Bruce-a New York City firefighter who died on 9/11- amid the very public tragedy that shocked the world. Her poignant reflections help answer the questions: • How do you cope when life lies in pieces around you? • How do you begin to rebuild in the face of all that has been lost? • How do you commemorate the past while creating space for your future? Ann's journey parallels the evolution of Ground Zero from a place of death and destruction to the moving Memorial Plaza today-and is a beautiful testament to the resilience of a woman, a family, and a nation.

bio

Author Biography

Ann Clark Van Hine, aka Miss Ann, was born in Oxford, England but grew up in Oklahoma, Utah, Arizona, and New Jersey. Bruce's appointment to the FDNY relocated her to Orange County, NY. In 2018 she moved to Brooklyn, NY and recently moved to PA to be close to the littles aka her grandkids. Ann is the mom of two grown daughters, the widow of a FDNY firefighter, a retired small business owner, former docent with 9/11 Tribute Museum, published writer, Children’s Ministries volunteer and a breast cancer survivor. Since September 11, 2001, Ann has had numerous opportunities to share the story of God’s presence and peace as she navigated “a personal loss in the midst of a national tragedy.” She has shared her story all over the USA and internationally in Ireland, Belgium, England, and Japan.

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Author Insight

Stories & Stuff

When my Brooklyn apartment had a devastating fire in March 2022, some people commented it was just stuff that was lost. Yes and no. I am grateful that everyone and their pets escaped without harm but the loss of material items is a loss of tangible expressions of our memories. Let me explain. A Bruce coffee mug, wooden tulips, a globe paperweight, a framed puzzle and a Lenox vase were all things that brought a smile to my face when I looked at them. Not because of the item but because of the story they told. Yes, many items can be replaced and memories are held in our minds but there is sense that the replacement isn't the real thing.

Book Excerpt

Pieces Falling

I love decorating for Christmas. In recent years Meghan has commented that our house always looked like Christmas threw up. I took that as a compliment.

In the weeks leading up to Christmas 2001, I decorated the house in very much the same way I had in the past which left memories of Bruce sprinkled throughout.

One evening as I placed the handmade wooden reindeer with charred antlers on the fireplace hearth, a memory from years ago popped into my mind.

Bruce had been tending the fire as I’d walked into the room. I had noticed right away that the reindeer on the hearth was missing its antlers.

“Where are his antlers?” I’d asked. “One of my students gave me that. Her dad made it.”

Bruce had gotten a strange look on his face. “Oops!”

He’d promptly put on his fireproof gloves, reached into the flames, and retrieved the antlers. Blowing out the embers, he’d said, “No problem. They’ll be fine.”

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Ann Van Hine

Pieces Falling

Synopsis

Author Biography

Author Insight

Stories & Stuff

Book Excerpt

Pieces Falling

Comment on this Bubble