Ex-Howell Teacher To Share Inspiring True Story At Barnes & Noble

HOWELL, NJ — Local author Margaret J. Cotton will talk about the writing process and share her new book in an event at the Howell Barnes & Noble on Wednesday, Oct. 10.

Cotton is a retired Howell teacher. Her book "Raised!" is a true story of a miracle that could not happen but did. Cotton tells the story of Charlie and Florentina Mada, whose 16-month-old son drowns. They witness an unthinkable miracle.

The couple believe they have everything. They are wealthy, on vacation, and parents of an adorable boy. Then suddenly, during a picnic at an idyllic spot along the Danube River, their son disappears. After finding him submerged in a pipe, their desperate efforts to save him are not enough. His swollen, discolored body clearly shows no signs of life, but they rush him to the hospital because it is all they can do. Over the next seven hours, the doctors examine their son four times each hour to prove there is still no heartbeat, breath, reflexes, or signs of life. No first aid or treatment is administered; the baby is not even admitted. Charlie and Florentina are given time to grieve at his bedside.

What happens late that night is impossible. No one at the hospital is prepared for what is witnessed! "Only God can do this!" the head doctor shouts over and over to everyone. She instructs the Madas to go to church to thank God. They are unbelievers, and so they think all that should be done is to light a candle and make a donation.

What follows is a cascade of inexplicable miracles, blessings, and mysteries that compel Charlie and Florentina to leave their country, careers, property, family, and friends and travel half-way around the globe. The events that bring them to the foot of the cross defy reason, but create an action-packed story that is compelling and inspirational.

In a world that seems disturbing and increasingly out of control, Charlie and Florentina Mada share their miraculous, true story to boldly proclaim that God is compassionate and powerful enough to create holy miracles from human tragedies. The account is well-documented with witnesses’ letters, hospital records, and medical book notations.

Cotton will be at Howell Barnes and Noble from 2:30 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. on Oct. 10 to speak about her book. At 4 p.m. there will be a short reading and discussion of the writing process.

"Parents used to tell me I should write a book!." Cotton said. "I am anxious to share with them, former students, and colleagues that those lesson plans and classroom skills can bloom into real books. Think, write, read, think, rewrite, conference, write, and read again. Teachers teach it because it works."

Readers can purchase “Raised!” at Barnes and Noble in Howell or online at Amazon.com, Apple iTunes store, or BarnesandNoble.com.

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Photos provided by Margaret Cotton