The Tiffany Box: A Memoir
“THE TIFFANY BOXIS A MOVING TRIBUTE TO MOTHERHOOD - An early chapter ofThe  Tiffany Box: A Memoir, by Arizona-turned-California author Kathleen  Buckstaff, raises the subject of picture day at school. Buckstaff  describes her then 4-year-old daughter’s decision to wear a beloved but  “tattered, stained sundress” for a photo that will forever document who  she was during that year at school. Buckstaff is conflicted. She can’t  help being a bit status conscious (“I will look like a bad mother if you  wear that dress”) but she also admires her daughter’s spirit and strong  sense of individualism. She struggles internally but opts to let it be.  Her daughter wears the dress. A similar, courageous act of surrender  underlies much ofThe Tiffany Box, and is the source of its  soul-satisfying charm. Buckstaff, in a series of emails to friends,  essays she originally published inThe Arizona Republic, diary entries,  holiday letters and drafts she wrote from 1995 to 2001, puts it all out  there, pregnancy warts and all. It is a story of loss–of loved ones, of  the illusion of control–that never loses sight of the humor, beauty and  joy that can accompany life’s most challenging moments. It is a moving  tribute to motherhood, and to the bonds between mother and child that  transcend time, temperament and even tragedy. It’s been many years since  I’ve made it a priority to carve out enough time in a 24-hour period to  truly savor a book.The Tiffany Boxleft me no choice. From the moment I  dove in, I was captivated. The republished essays elicit profound  moments of wisdom and generational continuity from seemingly everyday  events to which all mothers will relate. Sections where the storytelling  is done by email or diary post have a sense of intimacy and urgency  that is often painful to read, but leave us wishing we could count  ourselves among Buckstaff’s most trusted friends. The book, of course,  centers on her relationship with her mother, and the long, slow process  of losing her to cancer at the far-too-young age of 59. Buckstaff stored  her mother’s papers in her garage, in a blue box from Tiffany & Co.  that once housed a celebratory wedding gift. It took some time before  Buckstaff felt strong enough to revisit this treasure trove of memories.  “I thought I would find death inside the Tiffany box,” she writes.  “Instead, I found life." She also found inspiration for a beautiful story  that will forever keep her mother’s memory alive. Buckstaff’s memoir  premiered as a one-woman play, “The Tiffany Box, A Love Remembered,” at  Theatre Artists Studio in Scottsdale in November 2010. She performed the  play to sold-out audiences here, and then in San Francisco and New York  City. The enthusiastic response inspired her to expand her story."--Karen Davis Barr, May 7, 2013 fromRaising Arizona Kids Magazine"Kathleen Buckstaff has a big heart and a truth-telling spirit. She spins an intergenerational story about grandparents, parents and children who are glued together by generosity and love. Her book will sweep you to the center of her family’s joys and tragedies... .The Tiffany Boxis just plain wonderful."--Paola Gianturco, author ofGrandmother Power"A beautifully executed exploration of the human heart—its strength, resiliency and infinite capacity to love."--Hal Corley, Emmy Award winning writer and playwright"Embracing both her vulnerability and strength, Kathleen Buckstaff reaches into the soul and opens a precious door that brings to life her grandmother’s truth, “You’ve got to touch to love.” In sharing that truth, Kathleen andThe Tiffany Boxteach us an ultimate truth, “There was so much pain, because there was so much love.” Elegant. Beautiful. Compelling."--Rev. Doug Huneke, chaplain and author"Loved this book! I laughed out loud, I cried and even shared passages with my husband. For anyone who has ever been a mother and/or a daughter, this book will touch your soul and stay with you. Kathleen Buckstaff captures the spirit of motherhood, it’s highs and lows, and takes you on a journey that makes you appreciate life and all it has to offer. I highly recommend this book!"--Jeanine Thompson, mother“I have never sobbed after reading the first two pages of a book, and I don't think I have ever finished a book and then started reading it again from the beginning right afterwards. I can't remember a time I read a book and midway through ordered 11 copies to give to people that I know would love it... . It is a spiritual, powerful, sentimental, rip-roaring funny, unique, helpful read. I am deeply appreciative of this book, because it teaches me how I can approach end-of-life situations when I am faced with them. There were countless times in this book when I was laughing and sobbing at the same time. Kathleen Buckstaff exhibits mastery of the language, brilliance of mind and wit, and authenticity of the soul.”--Stephanie Ryder, mother"[The Tiffany Box] is a book I will always have on my bedside table when I need a good laugh or cry."--Susan Bull, grandmother