Honoring Family with Humor: Mark Steven Porro’s A Cup of Tea on the Commode
When award-winning designer, writer, and director Mark Steven Porro turned his lens inward, he discovered a story rich in love, laughter, and the unbreakable bond between parent and child. His bestselling memoir, A Cup of Tea on the Commode: My Multitasking Adventures of Caring for Mom and How I Survived to Tell the Tale, is both raw and uplifting—an unforgettable tribute to caregiving that will make you laugh out loud and reach for the tissues.
Finding Inspiration in Provence
After 28 years in Hollywood, Porro retreated to the cobblestone streets of Pézenas in southern France to gain the emotional distance he needed to write his deeply personal story. Surrounded by 16th-century architecture and the gentle rhythms of village life, he poured his heart into a memoir that doesn’t shy away from the challenges of end-of-life care, yet finds humor in every corner.
A Journey of Love, Loss, and Laughter
In his mid-50s, single and childless, Mark answered the call to care for his 89-year-old mother when she entered hospice. What followed was a three-and-a-half-year odyssey of diaper changes, bedside meals, and rediscovered joys—plus more than a few comical mishaps:
- The Pumpkin Pie Miracle: During a no-food hospice protocol, a kind nurse’s spoonful of pumpkin pie jolted Mom back to life—soon she was enjoying pie slices and bowls of sherbet, proving a little sweetness can be miraculous.
- Carpet Sample Cookies: Hoping to restore dignity to her home, Mark presented carpet-swatch “samples” on her breakfast tray—only to find Mom about to taste them!
Why You’ll Love This Memoir
- Heartfelt Honesty: From quiet bedside moments to emotional challenges, no topic is off-limits.
- Uplifting Humor: Mark’s storytelling background infuses every page with wit and warmth.
- Universal Resonance: Whether you’ve been a caregiver or simply love a moving story, you’ll find inspiration here.
Find A Cup of Tea on the Commode
Available in paperback (including large print), ebook, and audiobook—narrated by Mark himself—this memoir has earned glowing reviews, sixteen literary awards, and the hearts of readers worldwide.
Connect with Rosabel & Keep the Stories Coming
I’m Rosabel Zohfeld, host of The Life Unscripted Podcast. If you enjoyed Mark’s journey, you’ll love our other unscripted conversations. Let’s stay in touch:
And if you haven’t yet, please check out my own memoir, The Courage to Succeed: A True American Dream, available on Amazon. Your support—through subscribes, reviews, and shares—means the world to me!
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