Didn't See It Coming is the way life is served up to us most of the time, at least the life changing, life challenging, get-your-attention, ortions that are put on your plate without your choosing. That jarring realism sets the tone for the book.

As one who has spent a bit more than the average amount of hospital time, I can testify to the faithful, accurate reporting the way it is. What is not so much "the way it is" is the philosophical, levelheaded, positive, future-drawn, dogged worker attitude of the writer. She has a nice slice of stoicism; not too much, mind you. She lets you see her cry and hurt and (with little reading between the lines) -- cuss.

Also, Peggy wrote the book in everyday English. Don't you appreciate that of a therapist? Very little jargon. Thank God! She threads the needle between theology and therapy (She speaks both), and gives all of us ordinary mortals an inspiring but visceral tale, a sort of heads up that anyone can use.

Without super spiritual piousness that sounds too good to be true because it isn't, her comfortable house shoes of faith, and the
urgency of getting a little more caffeine, QUICK, comes through just like it would for you or me if we could write like Peggy.

It is a quick read. It is a satisfying read. It is, theologically speaking, a damn good read.

James M. Dunn
Resident Professor of Christianity and Public Policy
The Divinity School at Wake Forest University

Peggy Haymes’ new book, Didn’t See It Coming, offers  honest,humorous, pain-sharing, heart-lifting inspiration for every Christian seeker. How do we deal with the sudden turns life brings? Instead of being “surprised by joy” we’re often shocked and dismayed by what we  must face.  Peggy’s personal journal shares such a time.  The winsome, humble, yet confident personality of Peggy Haymes informs every page of this delightful book. As she combines her down-to-earth living with her spiritual decision to focus on gratitude throughout her struggle,  in her own words it “makes all the difference” – for her, and for us.

                                                                Nancy Dendy Ryle

Journalist, author and inspirational speaker, Atlanta, Georgia

Just as we think we know where we are going, an interruption occurs. 

Didn’t See It Coming is a marvelous reminder that those “hard holy hours” are filled with laughter, tears and surprises. Peggy is a writer who powerfully reminds us “an ordinary day is an extraordinary gift.” Read it and give it as a gift over and over.

 Patsy Kendall, ACSW Psychotherapist

Didn’t See It Coming is a real, down to earth journey with no sugar coating of reality or emotions.  Every feeling from faith to despair is shared from the heart. We get to follow Peggy through each and every success and defeat, to experience the deep awareness in "taken for granted" accomplishments and the profound gratitude in being alive.  She shares with us her humanness that is somehow embodied/embedded in fear, doubt, triumph and faith.  Reading it I feel like I am in her cheering section, urging her on, supporting when she has to try again.

 Peggy's story clearly demonstrates that in the midst of trauma (personal or external) everyday life continues and the deciding factor in healing is not about what happened but how we choose to embrace its meaning for our lives

Shannon Steck                           Psychotherapist                                                                   Los Angeles, CA