An Unforgettable Wedding Story
by Margaret Hofmann
"You can hold extreme grief and an abundance of joy in both hands at the same time. - Margaret Hofmann
Margaret had to, as her mother lay dying of cancer, with her wedding day fast approaching. Exhaustion and worry filled Margaret's days as her world seemed to crumble beneath her feet. She wrestled with the "why" questions and the meaning of suffering, but leaned on her faith and was transformed. She opens her broken, healing heart to you in this wonderful love story of finding true joy within crushing loss. All your emotions will be heightened from the turn of the first page, making this quick read difficult to put down. If you are struggling with loss/grief, don't pass this book up. It's a powerful memoir, an inspiring tribute to her mother, and yet a unique kind of self-help book, all delicately woven into a beautiful piece of work.
2nd edition now available at Barnes & Noble, Amazon, and WestBow Press (publisher).
The Author
Margaret is a mom, exercise professional, and small business owner who resides in Pataskala, Ohio, with her husband and daughter. She is a cradle Catholic Christian who grew up in a large family of 9 in Cincinnati. She credits her family structure as pivotal in shaping her worldviews.
She has spent her entire career in health, athletics, and fitness. She currently owns Agers in Condition LLC, a personal training business serving agers over 50. Margaret is passionate about helping this population live meaningful, active, and healthy lives. She lives by this motto: "It's never too late to start exercising." Margaret is a leader in her field with 30+ years of experience as an ACE-Certified Personal Trainer.
Her career focus is strong in education, teaching, and athletic coaching, having worked at three universities in the Midwest. While immersed in these Christian academic settings, her interest in writing developed. She holds an M.Ed. in Health and Sports Performance and a B.A. in Health, Movement Education, and Recreation.
In 2026, Margaret was selected by Influential Women (IW) as a leader in her field in Ohio. Recognized by IW as a woman who leads, innovates, and inspires. Feature video.
"Joy can be found in the slow of our lives." - Margaret Hofmann, Author of The Wedding Gift
The Wedding Gift is a tribute to my mother, Pauline Hofmann. She was my greatest influence in life and one of the loves of my life. Not only was she a mother of 7 kids, but also a wife, a lay Comboni missionary, community volunteer, lover, and giver to many people, especially those in great need. She always led by example.
The Wedding Gift is a "charity book," meaning all proceeds from its sale will go into my mother's education fund (PH Education Fund), which supports a poor school in Nairobi, Kenya. Set up by Father Paulino Mondo, a Comboni Priest serving in Africa and a close friend of the Hofmann family. The school and its students are in desperate need of the necessities for daily survival. You, with your book purchase, can help provide school supplies, uniforms, and meals to the impoverished students. See photos of the school on Flickr.
To learn more about the Comboni Missionaries, go to: www.combonimissionaries.org. To donate to the fund directly, hit Donate on their home page, then hit Donate Now, and in the comment section of the form, type for the PH Education Fund. Thank You!
Margaret R.
"The Wedding Gift is one of those rare books that stays with you long after you have finished it. This book is easy to recommend to anyone who appreciates real, heartfelt stories about life, love, & resilience. Beautifully written and deeply human."
Jene O.
"I put things I cherish in my bible...I want to put your whole book in my bible."
Nyla B.
This is a wonderful book, written from the heart with complete transparency by Margaret. It is a love story between a mother & daughter; a woman & her fiancé; a mother & her family; and a wife & her husband. I read it over a single weekend as it was hard to put down. The book offers a powerful connection to faith & resilience, with love on every page. I am buying 5 copies for gifts to share with others I love; this is a book worth reading.
See more reviews on Amazon.
Reviews
A New Rendition of the Ave Maria
John Carter, an accomplished composer and friend of the author, read this book and felt compelled to write a new setting of the Ave Maria in honor of Pauline Hofmann. The Ave Maria was Pauline's favorite church song.
This new setting of the traditional liturgical text of the Ave Maria is simply beautiful. Expertly played and sung by Geri Rosser, a Soprano experienced in music ministry and also a friend of the author. Listen to the new rendition below at left. If you would like a PDF copy of the sheet music for this song, visit John Carter's page at SheetMusicPlus by clicking the buy button below on the right.
Archived
The Wedding Gift is archived at the Mother Teresa Center in San Diego, California, and at the Cardinal Joseph Mindszenty (Blessed) Foundation in Budapest, Hungary and St. Louis, Missouri.
Questions for the author? Please use the Contact Us form.
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Thank You!