Every Given Day

By: Cathy Gohlke

Dakota County Library paperback 346 pages plus author's note, acknowledgments, and book club discussion questions

Published: 2026

Genre: Christian historical fiction, 1920s

 

We're meeting to discuss this in a few hours. I mostly enjoyed this book and definitely was curious to do a little bit of research on my own (about the era, the development of insulin, etc.).

 

Basic synopsis: Schoolteacher Gwen Armstrong goes to New York to help her ailing sister Marion with her two young children. Marion has TB (which is what the sisters' mother died from) and is already at a sanitarium when Gwen shows up on the doorstep. Mrs. Barrie, the housekeeper, is skeptical, and the two Bennett children don't want an aunt they've never met; they want their mother. Russell Bennett, Marion's husband, is a debonair "businessman" who is rarely home.

 

Page 2: Paradox, Pennsylvania, September 1918

 

I'm not completely sure why I "flagged" this . . . except that I'm interested in unusual-sounding place names. This isn't a real city - I checked - but a paradox is symbolic as a word.

 

Page 4: Gwen turned away, wishing she'd left the door open, a clear means of escape. Duty, guilt, the privilege of sacrificing for those less fortunate - those considered worthy. She knew every nuance, had lived her entire life caring for those who needed her. 

 

I love how the author acknowledged Gwen's struggle without her wallowing in a pity party. Sometimes when you are a giver, you give so much to others that you forget to take care of yourself. That said, the scene in her creepy principal's office was one I'm glad she escaped from unscathed! He was unconscionable, offering marriage as her "only choice" and assuring her that if she rejected him she'd never get hired as a teacher again. What a creep!

 

Page 24: Gwen was pleased when she read over Alistair's letter. His penmanship and his ability to formulate sentences and paragraphs in coherent, complete thought bespoke a solid early education.

 

Yes! It is so rewarding to encounter a young person who is literate! It's sad to me that she's meeting her nephew and niece for the first time, but she and Marion became estranged when Gwen's beau swept the vivacious and lovely Marion away. Understandable.

 

Page  32: Life might challenge or change their aspirations, keep them from becoming reality. But dreams meant hope, and hope, Gwen knew, was desperately needed when life around you, life and the people you've depended upon, were falling apart.

 

I think this is so key! Hope can indeed be a powerful motivator. Sometimes I'm afraid I'm a bit too much of a realist or even skeptic. Even though Gwen thought it likely her sister might not survive and come home, she wanted the children to keep hope alive.

 

Page 40: Employment for women came with a cost, a cost that must be carefully considered, and often involved a delicate dance and a line they dared not cross. A single woman could not risk joblessness, poverty, homelessness.

 

I'm very glad things have improved for women over the last one hundred years! I could not have the life I have now if I were a single woman. I would almost certainly still be working full time. Praise God and thank my amazing husband!

 

Page 53: Doctors, pastors, service providers of all sorts were run off their feet, serving in constant danger of contracting a disease they couldn't stop, couldn't begin to stem. They, too, were dropping like flies. Word had gone out for anyone willing to provide essential nursing care to please volunteer.

 

The Spanish flu really was a modern plague! So much sickness, contagion, and death. It helped that Bennett Place had a "quarantined" sign on the gate (because of Marion's tuberculosis). That kept people out. 

 

Page 71: She understood Marion's desire to protect them, to enjoy every precious moment with them as carefree as possible. Still, she wondered just how much time there would be to prepare them for the inevitable, and whether knowing or not knowing was the greater gift.

 

To me, this is very connected with the question of hope. If she were to tell the children about her own mother's death and what was happening with Marion, it would definitely be sad and sobering. At ages 11 and 8(?), it was nice for them to remain children. I like when Gwen and Mrs. Barrie had a heart to heart and hugged. The connection between these women was definitely good for the kids.

 

Page 89: Gwen was amazed and inspired by Marion's faith and heart for God. She didn't fully understand it or know how that had come about, except that Marion attributed it to her time alone with God in the sanatorium - patience and faith through suffering. It certainly had not been fostered in childhood. Gwen prayed out of desperation sometimes . . . 

 

 It took Gwen awhile, but her faith journey felt very authentic to me.

 

Page  109: That light rekindled a flame in Gwen she'd thought long dead. She didn't mean to acknowledge that flame, but she couldn't deny it.

 

Every time she felt drawn to Russell, I got mad! I understand that as a jilted "spinster," the attentions of her handsome, dashing brother-in-law were tempting, but . . . JUST SAY NO! I did not like him at all. He seemed so shallow, selfish, and nasty. That was the aspect of the book I liked the least.

 

Page 110: "I'd hoped, after Clara was born, that Marion would be content in that department, that things might return to the way they were. Parents in our class, in my circle of society, don't mollycoddle their children. Nursemaids, nannies, and governesses take care of those things, freeing adults to travel, to pursue their social responsibilities."

 

What a jerk! This is Russell, talking to Gwen about his disappointment in his wife.

 

In Chapter 22, there was a section about the increase of diabetes following the flu pandemic. That was one of the things I looked up. Apparently, there was a dramatic increase after Covid-19 as well. Interesting!

 

Page 168: In the meantime, Malcolm would go to church on Sunday, just as he always did, and pray to the God he loved and trusted for wisdom, for clarity, for skill in the work He'd given him to do. Daily he prayed for each of his patients by name, laying their cases before the Great Physician, seeking the restoration of mind and body that only He could give.

 

Malcolm was the lovely younger Scottish doctor who knew about some of the research being done to treat diabetic patients. And he had faith in the Lord. I liked Malcolm!

 

Page 186: He spends money as if it were wastewater. The grocery bill for this affair alone could feed a family of five for more than a year. 

 

Gwen is questioning Russell's words, motives, and lifestyle. About time! He's clearly not on the up-and-up.

 

Page 224: "She prays with me at night - is helping me learn to pray. She says believing in God is a choice we make and that I should talk to God like my best friend, but with more respect, and know that He listens - like a loving father, she said." 

 

Alistair was such a delightful character. Lots of heartbreak in his young life, but as he's learning about faith from Mrs. Barrie, he's sharing his newfound faith with Aunt Gwen.

 

Page 225: How can you think of God as a loving Father if your own father barely gives you the time of day? The thought startled Gwen. Am I thinking of Alistair and his father, or of myself, and my own father?

 

I think it is very telling that Gwen came to the realization that part of her connection to Alistair was the lack of a positive father figure.

 

Page 286: Trusting, relying on anyone else, even God, goes against everything in me. Gwen shuddered. "I can't let you go. You're all that's left to me."

 

This was so sad! A twelve-year-old boy who is accepting of his own imminent death, trusting God, while the adult who is caring for him is clinging tightly. We've been talking about truly trusting God in church a lot lately. I think it's hard for us. We like to be in control. Truly trusting God means we're willing to let go. 

 

In chapter 40, Gwen decides to do something she knows she shouldn't. She steals Mrs. Barrie's keys, goes into Russell's museum and office, and rifles through his papers. I was on edge this whole chapter.

 

Page 317: She didn't love Russell. How she'd ever thought she might, let alone marry him, she didn't know now. 

 

Finally! This imaginary romance with Russell was my least favorite part of the book. He just creeped me out.

 

Page 328 had such a beautiful section between Gwen and Malcolm. I love that he encouraged her to praise God. Always a good choice!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 Page 330: Forgive me for my arrogance, Father, for thinking I know better than You what is best for him . . . or for me. You raised Jesus from the dead to life everlasting. Nothing is too hard for You. I know You can heal him. Whether now or in Your Kingdom. I'm ready to let him go to You. I surrender him to You. I trust You.

 

This was a huge shift for Gwen. The author did a wonderful job of bringing her to this point gradually. Her prayer is heartfelt.

 

Page 334 in chapter 46 has the title. Gwen says, "Every given day!" in response to Alistair's question about every day being Thanksgiving now. I love "finding" the title in the story.

 

Page 342: "Need I remind you about miracles? They may take time, but they're always in the making. We must watch for them, expect them."

 

Alistair is writing letters to Carter in Egypt, preparing the way for going to work with him. Gwen is dubious, but he gives her this lovely reminder.

 

The story ends delightfully. There are a few surprises and other parts not surprising, but pleasant aspects. I look forward to our discussion.