Cathy Benson | The Botetourt View

Lois Featheringill of Daleville purchased a copy of "Heavenly Birth" from Denise Taylor (seated), a former county resident.

Denise Taylor, formerly of Daleville, stopped by Botetourt County to sign copies of her book, "Heavenly Birth: A Mother's Journey. A Daughter's Legacy," which details the story of her daughter Jonnae and their voyage through the daughter's terminal leukemia. It is an inspirational story and a legacy of the relationship between the mother and daughter.

"Jonnae's life began with me teaching her and ended with her teaching me," Taylor writes.

The book can be purchased at Amazon.com.

Here is how the publisher describes "Heavenly Birth":

"Jonnae Taylor's purpose was not to live through leukemia, it was to teach through it. With greater strength and faith than her years might suggest, she did not live as though she were dying; she died showing us how to live. Nine months of preparation preceded Jonnae's Heavenly Birth. Through her eyes as a mother, Denise documented her's and Jonnae's experiences. Throughout these pages, you will be moved to laugh, cry, and make the most of every day. Allow this faithful child and mother to inspire you, as they have family, friends, and complete strangers."

Denise Taylor wrote the book from her blog entries during Jonnae's illness. "I heard a voice telling me to blog even when I didn't feel like it," she said on Saturday, Feb. 13, at Mill Mountain Coffee Shop in Daleville.

Taylor developed many new traits as a result of Jonnae's illness. It was a spiritual awakening in which burdens changed from being, "Oh no, I have to do that" to "I get to do that" as part of re-thinking why things may happen and what might be learned from it.

With each book sold, she hands out purple wrist bracelets that say "I get to."

Still strong in her faith and commitment to get the message out, Taylor was on her way to speak at a conference in Harrisonburg. She said she hopes that someday her book will be part of the lives of others across the nation who are in a similar struggle and also to those who need to see a loved one's illness or their own lives in a different light.

It is a blessing from God, she noted.

Numerous people came to see her and have a book signed. On Sunday after Mass, Taylor interacted with the congregation of the The Church of the Transfiguration in Fincastle where she was once a member.

For those who knew her before, Taylor remains the same bubbling personality. Despite the tragedy of her daughter's illness and death, she emerged with a strong sense of purpose to share the experience in a positive way.

After her conference, Taylor will return to Indiana where she resides with her husband and four surviving children.

To contact her, visit her blog, http://denisetaylor.blogspot. com/. Taylor is on social media like Facebook.com as well.