Great book club read...

I am a social worker so I was quite interested in this book because of the title alone. I was hoping it wouldn’t be a predictable love story and it went far beyond my initial expectations. Barbara was an educated college professor who became extremely depressed after her children left home. The depression was there all along but she managed to “put on a face,” as a lot of depressed people do. Yet once the children were gone she began having difficulty “faking it.” She went to work and home. It wasn’t until her husband realized there were no meals on the table waiting for him that his wife of many years needed help.

Barbara was married but spent most of their married life being a servant to her husband and being ignored by him. His life was separate from hers and she never questioned him about the things he did. She just let them be sinking further into herself. He was the popular outspoken one and she wasn’t. She didn’t attend events he invited her to because it reinforced how far apart their two worlds were.

Barbara had a life most would envy. A beautiful home, good children, a successful husband and a prestigious career made up her world. Friends were few and that was good enough for her. Despite what she had Barbara felt lost. At the suggestion of her disconnected husband Barbara went to a therapist to get help. What would happen next was extraordinary and of course, unethical. Barbara begins to find herself where she least expected it. Her life began to change on the couch in her doctor’s office.

The author told a love story that was funny and quite vivid. I could see the roads that she drove on in New England, the diplomas on the wall in the psychiatrist’s office that she squinted to read on her initial visit, and the beauty that lay within Barbara’s gardens. At times I could see both her joy and pain. Ms. Rose has an amazing ability of grabbing the reader’s attention quickly and drawing them in. I found myself laughing out loud at the author’s humor and feeling sorry for Barbara in other instances. In the end, I applauded her growth as I do Ms. Rose’s storytelling ability. This is a must read and is a perfect book club suggestion or Christmas gift for the reader in your family. What are waiting for? Go to the link on my page and buy it!

You see the rainbow?

I lost a friend last week that I've known for as long as I can remember. It is always hard when someone you know passes. Its especially difficult when their your age. It forces you to look closely at your life. He was a great guy and hero to many. He will be missed by those who knew and loved him. His death made me truly think about this life I am living. Am I truly living? I am doing my best and wonder... could be doing more?

My friend Heather is home from the hospital. They found a bone marrow donor for her. Thanks for all of the prayers but her journey is just beginning. Please keep praying for her!! She has had chemo and will be returning to the hospital for thirty days. After she comes home she will be in her room for over three months. Not in the rest of the home where her two little children are but in her bedroom. I spoke with her today. She informed me that although she felt better physically she wasn't doing well mentally. Heather told me that she's afraid. I informed her that there was nothing wrong with her being afraid. Its a normal and expected reaction to illness and especially to cancer.

I implored her to remain faithful. I also told her that being in her bedroom for over three months was better than not coming back home at all. As I told her, its easier for me to say looking in from the outside, but its true. Option one... never come home from the hospital. Option two... come home and be locked in my master bedroom for three months with a laptop/iPad, bathroom, iPod and television. I'm going for option two!

I am in no way making light of her situation because its dire. Her journey isn't over. Its just beginning. What I am doing is searching for the rainbow before the rain has stopped. I have learned to do that in life. I get up in the morning because I see the sun shining brightly through the clouds, in the fog and in the rain. I have to. I never used to and my life was a reflection of such. Once I changed my way of thinking and my view on what truly matters in life. Now I see the rainbow during NOT after every storm!

Please keep Heather in your prayers no matter what faith, religion or language you pray in. Pray that God comforts and keeps her. After this 100 day journey she will start living again. Make sure you look at your today and embrace all that you have. Remember the importance of loving yourself so that you can be a light in the lives of others as my friend was...

You see the rainbow? You know I do...

Supporting Minister Steve!

We went to see Minister Steve at the Gospel House Cafe on Thanksgiving weekend. He will be there again this month on the 26th. I know its the day after Christmas but its a great time. The Gospel House Cafe is a great place to bring family and friends for the holiday! If you're not out of town there is no excuse...

Come out and support Minister Steve at the IRBY Dance Center at 168 Irvington Avenue in South Orange, New Jersey!

She's Got Issues Book Review...

She's Got Issues is the perfect title for a chick lit book. What man hasn't said that a woman has issues? We are just misunderstood sometimes, I guess. I highly recommend this book to readers who enjoy chick lit books. It is a witty, laugh out loud book that will have you yearning for more or encourage a shoe fetish.

The story is of young Chloe Rose who owns a shoe obsession. Chloe is a little naive and at times, talks to her shoes. As a child, she would play with her shoes instead of her dolls. Chloe works at Issues Magazine as an assistant to the assistant. Lost in her own world Chloe fails to see the jealousy that her boss, Ruth, has for her ideas. Ruth gives Chloe mundane tasks to complete so that she can steal her ideas. Ruth tries to convince management that the ideas are her original ideas and knowing some of the tricks has played, Chloe supports her boss.

Chloe narrates the book which keeps you laughing because she is a bit "weird." She's a smart girl but she perceives the world a little differently than others. She will impress you with her telegraphic memory but also leaves one in awe when she spews out things that make her appear clueless. Chloe is triumphant in all her endeavors despite the challenges she manages to face. Ruth would like to fire Chloe but her ideas makes Ruth look too good. Chloe accepts the abuse from Ruth because it gives her access to the shoe closet.

Women have had issues for years when it comes to workplace competition. This doesn't mean that men don't but women's struggles are a little different and this book reflects some of them. This book was hard to put down as the craziness at the Issues Magazine office unfolded. Despite how naive Chloe is and how annoying that may be, it works for this book. The reader learns to like Chloe even if they try not to. The reader will be charmed when they least expect it. The lack of brains and self-awareness help Chloe tell Ruth to stick it in her own way.

This book is a must read, but remember you will laugh out loud so read it with caution in public places...

Don't lose sight of your dreams!

I am feeling some kind of way today. I am not sure what to call it. I woke up refreshed after a long day working on Minister Steve's demo. I had a short work week but it was longer than others I've had recently. I think what I am feeling is being ready for something different. I love being a social worker but I think my mind and heart are pulling me in a different direction.

This music thing has been a part of me for many years. I remember wanting to do something with it along with my sisters when I was a teen. They didn't want to sing professionally and I didn't think I couldn't do it without them. So, I turned up the volume on my radio listening to other artists as their dreams of flowing over the airwaves came true. Secretly, my dreams were still there I just no longer shared them with others. I wrote poems, short stories and lyrics on scraps of papers, napkins and notebooks. I filed them away for safe keeping never to look at them again.

As an adult, I continued to write, write, write and only shared some of my work through poems that I gave to others. At this time in my life, my dreams are overpowering my thoughts forcing me to pay attention to them. Life experiences, both personally and vicariously, have brought them out of their hiding place. To see friends and family go through health related issues or other challenges in their lives has reinforced for me just how fragile life is. While writing quietly and trying to be a successful social worker, I may have not noticed some doors that were opened wide for me. As I am focusing on my dreams and changing my present situation, I've learned to enter those doors that my heart leads me to. I no longer have doubts about my future success as a songwriter, producer and manager. If I don't step out on faith I will accept a life (or career) that is no longer my desire.

I am satisfied completely with my personal life. God has blessed me beyond measure to be with someone who loves, trusts, supports and encourages me. Now I need to be as equally as satisfied professionally. I know that when you talk about it you are speaking it into existence. So, "I will be successful in this journey to complete, publish and share my literary works and song lyrics. I see it already but I just need and want to feel it!" I said it, God said it and it shall be done...

Success is there for the taking but you can't lose sight of your dreams. Tell God what you want and He shall provide. All doors God opens may not be for you but you have to run through the ones that are with your dreams in hand!