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Ann Van Hine

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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

Oops!

As we sat in the outside seating area on Rector St enjoying your tea and dessert, the reporter from Japan asked "How old was your husband when he died?" I responded "48." She replied "in your book, it says 49." Oops! The mistake has been corrected in the revised version of Pieces Falling but I still marvel that it took a reporter from halfway around the world to notice the error. I appreciated her due diligence. And wondered how family and friends who had read the book missed it but I think I know. The manner of death statement knocks the wind out of your sails.

Book Excerpt

Pieces Falling

At the beginning of November, a large manila envelope arrived in the mail. The return address was the Medical Examiner’s Office.

I opened every other piece of mail first. Eventually I couldn’t put it off any longer.

I took a deep breath, exhaled, and whispered Lord help me as I opened it.

I carefully lifted out of the envelope ten copies of Bruce’s death certificate.

The certificates were dated October 30, 2001. At first, I thought I am not going to read this. Just stick them back in the envelope and file it somewhere safe.

Then I began to read.

Basic information.

Name: Richard Bruce Van Hine.

Age: 49.

Location: World Trade Center.

Okay, that’s all correct.

Glancing down the page I saw it:

Manner of death: Homicide.

I felt my breath catch.

I hadn’t expected that. Actually, I don’t know what I had expected.

Regardless, it was the truth.

* * *

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Ann Van Hine

Pieces Falling

Synopsis

Author Biography

Author Insight

Oops!

Book Excerpt

Pieces Falling

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