Mason has a new author, and she has a story worth sharing.
“The Point of Viability: A Coming Alive Story” chronicles Julie Yost’s journey through infertility, a high-risk triplet pregnancy, motherhood, and loss. It is an intimate story, but not one defined by tragedy. Instead, Julie writes about the faith, gratitude and unexpected grace that helped her find meaning in one of the most challenging chapters of her life.
“It is not a story of easy answers, but a witness to how hope, joy and life can flourish in the most challenging circumstances,” Julie says.
Her story began with infertility and continued through a high-risk triplet pregnancy and extended hospital bed rest. The title, “The Point of Viability,” comes from the medical term for the point when doctors consider survival outside of the womb more likely. In the early 2000s, that mark was 24 weeks—when Julie’s triplets were born.
The title, however, carries another meaning. Julie describes that difficult season as a time when she became “viable and more fully alive” in a new way.
“I understand now that this season of hardship was teaching me great lessons, drawing me closer to God, and would eventually be used as a gift for others,” she reflects.
Two of Julie’s three babies passed on shortly after their birth. “Finding the strength to mother my other baby in the NICU and my toddler at home was the most difficult part,” she recalls.
Faith, family, friends and the support of her community helped Julie through that period. Her husband, David, grew up in Mason, where his family has been part of the community for more than 80 years through Yost Pharmacy. The couple has lived in Mason for nearly two decades, and Julie says the community became an important part of their family’s story, particularly through the support they received from St. Susanna Parish.
“Mason is our home,” she says. “It’s a vibrant, safe place to live, work, volunteer and raise a family.”
Julie’s experience of motherhood and loss gave her a profound perspective. She learned to see every life as precious and to appreciate the small moments, joys and victories that are easy to overlook. That gratitude became part of the larger message she wanted to share through her book: Even in seasons of tremendous difficulty, there can still be reasons for joy and hope.
Sharing such a personal story publicly was not an easy decision. Julie and her family talked before deciding their experience might help guide someone else walking through a difficult time.
“It’s been a little intimidating to share such intimate details of our lives publicly, but we’ve come to see it as a worthwhile price to be able to share the hope and healing we’ve found through our journey,” Julie admits.
Some of the reader feedback has been surprising. Both men and women, people of different ages and backgrounds, and even people from different faith traditions have told her how much they connected with the story.
“People can relate to hardship and loss,” Julie says. “And they can relate to hope.”
The book’s July 1 release date carried its own significance. It fell on Julie’s 50th birthday and her triplets’ birthdays, making this meaningful day even more special. After seven years of writing, reflection and revisiting some of the most difficult moments of her life, holding the finished book in her hands felt surreal. She cried tears of joy.
Julie hopes “The Point of Viability” will create opportunities to share its message beyond the page. She plans to speak at churches, retreats and conferences, offering encouragement to people navigating tough circumstances and reminding them that a painful chapter isn’t the end of their story.
“The Point of Viability: A Coming Alive Story” is available locally at Mims Off Main, the Mason Community Center gift shop and Yost Pharmacy, as well as online through Amazon.com or on her website, JulieYost.com.
“It is not a story of easy answers, but a witness to how hope, joy and life can flourish in the most challenging circumstances.”
“I understand now that this season of hardship was teaching me great lessons, drawing me closer to God, and would eventually be used as a gift for others.”