This book was written from the author's experience of having a critically ill newborn and the years of isolation, hospital admissions and operations that followed. The spiritual wilderness and lack of spiritual support Philo experienced spurred her to write these simple meditations on caring for a critically or chronically ill child. It is frank, humorous at times, and does not avoid tough issues like preparing for and dealing with the death of a child.

Each meditation is preceded by a verse of scripture, and ends with a brief prayer and reflection. Meditations are grouped thematically around headings like 'Hospital Life' and 'Juggling Two Worlds', so are ideal for readers to dip into at different times. There is also a companion website with further resources and from which the book can be ordered (www.differentdream.com).

Philo does not focus on her story alone but relates the stories of other parents with seriously ill children, of relatives, and of the nurses and doctors who cared for her child. This gives a rich range of perspectives and insights and can enable both families and health professionals better to understand the spiritual needs and questions raised by these circumstances.