Aunt Lillian is a chilling story of bitterness and unforgiveness. It is a memoir that compels the reader to jump out of the author's life and into his own family. As he or she "river rafts" through many sequences, forgiveness becomes an imposing personal challenge. It is never an easy fix. Sometimes it's a long drawn out process, sometimes an immediate decision, and tragically, sometimes never happening at all. The choice we make to forgive or not to forgive has far-reaching effects. Under The Peach Tree is also a memoir, depicting the life and death of the author's fourteen-year old son. It is meant to be a hope and encouragement to those who have lost children. It is a companion book to Aunt Lillian because of a decision to forgive the "unforgivable." Mary Snyder was an only child who went through life wearing x-ray vision glasses, processing attitudes and relationships as she saw them. From early childhood she developed deep emotional responses to what she saw; feeling the pain and sorrows of those who were offended and of those who offended. She was blessed with two peerless parents, who instilled into her a value system of love, honesty and integrity. Putting order into confusion and making peace became Mary's life-long ambition. Intrigued that she has entered the season where the old seed dies into the ground and the new seed springs forth, she rejoices with three thoughts; when you know who you are, why you're here, and where you are going, you are at peace. Mary Snyder has enjoyed a full, vibrant life and is eager to share some of her life's experiences with the reader.
