The inspirational book, No Clouds Tomorrow by Carol E. Crain, contains many of her songs, poems, and writings that will lift readers' spirits and encourage those suffering from depression and hurtful memories. She also writes about reaching out to others by sending Envelope Hugs by mail.
In her poem "It's Hard to Celebrate Father's Day," she wrote, "It's hard to celebrate Father's Day / For a child who father is away / Unavailable and disconnected / Showing no love / To a child he's rejected."
In "Return with me, Jesus," she wrote, "Return with me, Jesus, / To days that are past. / Walk down roads where I've been. / Give me peace that will last."
The book's title, No Clouds Tomorrow, came from these lines Carol wrote: "Don't let your yesterdays ruin today. / Don't let today / Put a cloud on tomorrow."
In her article about sending Envelope Hugs by mail, she writes, "I don't type my notes and letters or use e-mail. I write my letters, my 'Envelope Hugs, ' in longhand. I think this means more in a day of e-mail and junk mail. ... I suppose people hesitate to reach out to others because sometimes no words seem adequate. But human words are all we have, and I hope God can use things I share in envelopes to ease pain."
In No Clouds Tomorrow, she tells about some responses to her Envelope Hugs.
Carol E. Crain passed on in 2019, but her inspiring songs, poems, and writings are timeless and still "speak" today, bringing comfort, healing, and inspiration to readers.
Carol E. Crain, author of No Clouds Tomorrow, reached out to many people with her songs, poems, and Envelope Hugs. Her works touched lives. No Clouds Tomorrow contains a large number of Carol's inspiring writings.
Born in 1947 in Oakland, California, as part of the post-World War II baby boom, Carol met her father only once. Raised in Washington, Pennsylvania by a single mother, she spent much time with her maternal grandparents. She became a Christian at age four-and-a-half at a Vacation Bible School at Broad Street Baptist Church in Washington. In her first-grade classroom, she was the only child from divorced parents; her first-grade teacher, Mrs. Esther Clark, inspired Carol to become an elementary school teacher.
At Bob Jones University in Greenville, S.C., she met Larry Steve Crain, an art education major. They graduated in 1969 and married in 1970. Carol taught at public elementary schools in S.C., gave birth to two daughters, and lived for almost 30 years in N.C. while her husband worked in carpet manufacturing. Carol retired after teaching at Hoffman Elementary, a N.C. public school. The Crains moved back to Greenville County, S.C., one year before Carol died from pulmonary hypertension in 2019.
Carol's passion for teaching and for her Christian faith guided her outreach and led her into many positive encounters throughout her lifetime. Her songs and poems reach out to fellow travelers who suffer from depression and struggle with memories of hurtful relationships or life experiences. In No Clouds Tomorrow, Carol's article about Envelope Hugs will inspire those who desire, through letters and greeting cards, to influence and comfort others.
