The Sunshine Girl

About the Book

Purple leaves and

orange blossoms

drift around and

catch

in my hair

as I wander

unobstructed

thru my meadow.

—Janet Sue Cole

Janet Sue Cole had a sensitive, kind, and determined spirit and was gifted with artistic and poetic talent. Raised in the Christian faith she vacillated in her personal journey of faith. She ultimately faced the opportunities and challenges of life with full humanity, and ultimate grace, insight and courage during her short time on Earth.

In a heartwarming poetic and artistic tribute to her late daughter, Debra Harder shares verse and paintings that weave a touching story of Janet’s life and provide a glimpse into the relationship they shared. While reflecting on Janet’s creative personality and personal development, Harder leads others down a path through Janet’s upbringing, her many talents, and ultimately her cancer diagnosis, treatments, and finally her death. Throughout the compilation, Harder offers hope to others who have lost a child that the spirit lives eternally and that maternal love never dies.

The Sunshine Girl shares moving poetry and colorful artwork that provide a loving tribute to a beautiful daughter whose life ended too soon.

About the Author

Debra Harder earned a master’s degree in social work in 1995 and works as a Clinical Social Worker in Correctional Mental Health. She is the mother of the late Janet Sue Cole who died in 2011 from Hodgkin’s lymphoma. Her greatest joy in life is being a wife, mother, and grandmother. Debra resides in Discovery Bay, California. The Sunshine Girl is a poetic and artistic tribute to her daughter.