Blog Archives
Completing My Journey
Brian’s Journey is an emotional memoir about your son and the grief you felt when you lost him. What inspired you to write this book?
I truly believe it was/is to help other families that have gone through the horrific loss of losing a child, they are not alone. Also, I felt so strongly whilst writing that Brian wanted his story told. Mental illness can happen to anybody at anytime. It came on so fast with Brian, and although we will never know if it was the steriods, pot or the hit on the head that caused his paranoia.
I appreciated the candid nature with which you told this story. What were some ideas that were important for you to focus on in this book?
I tried to focus on the positive. Not to allow the darkness to take over my life. It was not easy. With all the signs I kept receiving while writing, I knew there was a higher power at play. I learned that my son was /is still around in spirit and that his energy just changed form. I forced myself to look at all the beauty around me and not the negative. Brian did that, and helped me heal and look forward to completing my journey, however long that may be.
What do you hope is one thing readers take away from Brian’s Journey?
The hardest thing about coping with loss, in my opinion, was the shear suddenness of my son passing away. It was a shock and happened so fast. When I knew my brother was sick or my mom, you knew the inevitable of their passing would eventually happen. I had no idea that morning my son would be gone from this earth. All my hopes & dreams were shattered beyond words.
What do you feel is the hardest thing about coping with loss? And what is one piece of advice you would give to someone?
My advice to any parent losing a child or loved one…. it really is not the end. Spiritually, it’s only the beginning for our loved one. Our turn will come when our journey is complete. We are all spiritual beings having a human experience, know & believe we will be with them again. Each and everyday we are one day closer to that Heavenly Reunion. Talk to them and listen to your heart that they hear you. They are never far to comfort you in your time of need. Remember, love never dies and we take it with us when we pass from this life to the next.
Author Links: Website | Facebook | Twitter | Instagram | GoodReads
Weirdo 2.0
Reading Christopher Wheat’s Weirdo 2.0 will make you understand how different everyone is. The author uses his condition and real-life stories to tell of his experiences as a teacher and tutor living with Asperger’s Syndrome, a condition that is now shoved under the autism umbrella. The reader gets educated on the condition and autism at large. Reading this book made me aware of how autistic people live. Christopher Wheat writes in a calm and gentle tone. You can read his sensations through the text he pens in the book. I appreciate the author for talking about some encounters that not many people would be comfortable talking about.
Stories from the classroom and in the school were intriguing to read. As a person living with a condition that is related to autism, Christopher Wheat’s experiences were a little different from others. I was not pleased reading about the bullying and mild disrespect shown by some. The author is a strong individual for penning some of his most painful experiences as such things would easily break anyone with a fragile heart. I empathized with him on many occasions but also applauded him for remaining firm and standing up for himself.
Not many people understand the world of people living with autism and related conditions. From the book, I learned that there is no better virtue than kindness. Be kind to everyone, and not just the people you know or interact with. Christopher Wheat is an excellent writer. His style of narration and way of introducing new stories is one of the best things about the author. He takes his time when explaining situations and one can tell that he is happy writing his stories. The memoir is an amazing read for people who want some encouragement and inspiration as they face day to day challenges at work. Christopher Wheat’s story is moving and motivating.
Weirdo 2.0 evokes strong emotions. Reading about the harsh boss almost brought tears to my eyes. I appreciate the author for the lessons in the book. Once you are done with this book you get to realize how ungracious the world we live in can be and why some people choose to quit without saying a word. The author however urges all to speak up no matter the situation they are in. Apart from the touching stories, I enjoyed reading about Christopher Wheat’s happy days. One can draw powerful lessons in both his professional and personal life. I recommend this book to readers that enjoy thoughtful autobiographies and uplifting real-life stories.
Pages: 259 | ASIN: B083G1P5B3
Cherish Your Loved Ones
The Ultimate Love shares a journey through grief that teaches readers to value life. Why was this an important book to write ?
The sudden death of my 25 year old son after a 5 month battle with cancer, made me realise that life is short and in the blink of an eye, our entire world can change. Many of us go through life working and to busy to spend quality family time and by the time we realise this, it maybe to late. I want people to understand that there’s more to life than material things, cherish your loved ones because they can be taken at any time.
In this book you share your grief but you also help readers understand how to continue after a loss. What were some ideas you wanted to share with readers?
Each person’s grief is unique and we all mourn differently. There’s various stages of grief and each of us can go through different stages at different times. There’s no fast rule that you must be in the first stage of grief example denial. You can start with anger, bargaining or even acceptance. We must also remember that not everyone will go through all the stages. Coping with the loss of a loved one is one of life’s biggest challenge and the pain of grieve can disrupt your physical, emotional and spiritual being.
What do you hope the one thing readers take away from your book?
Grief is a natural response to losing someone or something that is important to you. Everyone grieves differently, there is no time limit to grieve and each person goes through the phases in their own way. With time ,the sadness eases, you’ll be able to feel happiness and joy along with your grief.
Author Links: GoodReads | Amazon
It is about the author’s loss and can serve as a cathartic release for your own grief. As you read about her experience and how she tried to deal with this insurmountable loss, you will discover ways to cope with the grief and pain of losing your child and how to find the inspiring journey to go on with your life.
Grieving is a journey that teaches us how to love in a new way. Let “The Ultimate Love” show you how.
An Incredible Journey
![An incredible journey: From a mud hut to Cambridge (HEARING OTHERS’ VOICES Book 21) by [John L Shabaya]](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/51bKWSREemL.jpg)
John L. Shabaya has led an amazing life full of both challenges and triumphs. Born in Kenya and raised in a culture that offered him little chance to hope for a college education, Shabaya was able to overcome virtually every obstacle placed in his path and achieve the dream many never reach. His story is one that makes readers think deeply about the injustices faced by young people in cultures outside of their own. He brings to light prejudices in educational systems the world over, and he gives young people hope as they strive to create their own futures in a world full of challenges.
An Incredible Journey: From Mud Hut to Cambridge, an autobiography by John L. Shabaya, details the fascinating success of the author and follows his life from his birth in Kenya to his life as a college-educated pastor, world traveler, founder of a school, and educator in his own right. Shabaya’s story is an amazing testament to the benefit of an education and what sheer determination and hard work can do. After reading Shabaya’s truly incredible life story, I have been brought back down to earth about many of the problems I think I have. Everyone needs to read a story like Shabaya’s once in a while to be truly humbled.
As a teacher, I was moved to tears reading of the author’s experiences in elementary school. It is reprehensible to imagine the treatment he and countless others endured at the hands of so-called educators. It’s a thousand wonders any child makes it out of a school like that with their wits intact. His ability to express his pain is unmatched and his writing eloquent. Readers can only imagine the pain endured by Shabaya, but his writing now provides readers everywhere with a clear picture of the true story that played out (and continues to do so) in schools everywhere. Children all over the globe are fighting battles most of us will never realize, and Shabaya sheds light on the horror while at the same time showing us the light at the end of the tunnel.
Autobiographies are always fascinating reads, but Shabaya’s story is somehow different. There is a lesson to be learned about determination and self-respect in Shabaya’s life story. I think we can always learn something from others, and John L. Shabaya gives readers the perfect opportunity to learn from his successes, his trials, and his steadfastness. I highly recommend Shabaya’s book to anyone who enjoys autobiographies, but especially to educators.
Pages: 289 | ASIN: B08G5DFS7B
Brian’s Journey
Janet once had the fleeting thought of not having kids. But after Brian came along, she was glad she never paid any real attention to that thought. He was her little angel: smart, sweet, full of life, infectious joy, and gusto. As Brian grew into a fine young man, Janet’s love for him also soared. Life seemed good, untill things took a turn for the worse. Brian encountered significant turbulence on his journey, one that would affect the lives of everyone that cared about him.
Brian’s Journey is a real account of the life of an impressive young man, narrated by his mother, Janet Dubrasky. It’s both a heart-warming and heart-breaking chronicle of how Brian lived, loved, and died and how those closest to him came to terms with his death. It’s a book on unconditional love, the beauty of family and true friendship, and healing for the bereaved.
Dubrasky writes simply and from the heart. She bares herself before us, helping us understand her struggles and delights as she elevates her beloved Brian and stands by him even in his most trying times. She doesn’t spare us any detail as she tells Brian’s story, and that made the tale more immersive. I didn’t just hear about Brian. I got to watch him grow and flourish. It felt like I accompanied him on his sojourn, and as his life came to an abrupt end, my heart sank.
One of my major takeaways from the book is that grief is hard to deal with, and we can’t just wish it away. We must learn to live with it and continue our journey and, as at hard as it might be, accept that those who’ve passed have completed theirs. It’s easier said than done. But someone like Dubrasky, who has already done it, is encouraging us to take the same path.
Based on her experience, Dubrasky believes there’s indeed life after death. That death is, in reality, people being reborn, resting from their struggles having learned all they were supposed to. She says we are all energy, and energy never dies. It only changes form. In other words, the ones we’ve lost are not really gone. They’ve just been transformed. This is vital for leading a life of empathy and compassion. We all need peeks into other people’s worlds so we can deal with those around us with understanding. Brian’s Journey offers profound insights into the pain of losing a loved one. Therefore, it can help us deal with similar personal issues and better empathize with others when they go through the same.
Pages: 222 | ASIN: B08F7CPDMT
I Had A Secret For Seventeen Years
I had a Secret for Seventeen Years by Tori Shaw is a story about Shaw’s own experience of getting an abortion as a teenager. This experience was not pleasant. For years, Shaw doubted herself for her actions. She was guilty, ashamed, and became depressed. Knowing that she is not the only person to have these feelings, Tori decided to reach out to the world by telling her story. She rebuilds her relationship with God, finding peace in herself and gains a purpose. By embracing her past, Tori shows the world how to move on from dilemmas.
Tori Shaw’s story is a message to all that we cannot bottle our deepest secrets. From the start of the story, Shaw draws you in with incredibly vivid details. I felt like I really got into her mind. Keeping things from friends or family messes with our minds. Although Shaw’s story does not center around a pleasant topic, it is a very important subject for the world to talk about.
I liked the setup of the story. One of my favorite elements that Shaw incorporated was writing down a word and then crossing it out with blue ink and replacing it with a deeper word. This says so much because she wants to write the truth. It’s her own personal style.
Reading this story opened up my mind about abortions. For those who share the same feelings as I do, I recommend that you read this story. It opens your mind to new emotions and ideas, what happens, and the pain of having to keep a secret. Making decisions is a big theme in this story. Every day we make a decision. Decisions are hard. But telling your story to anybody is a bold move. The story is tough to read in places, but that is the whole point. Shaw finds closure telling her story to the world.
Tori Shaw’s story is a riveting page-turner. The story is also very impactful, making you open up your mind about the way you live life. Her faith in God was a memorable part of the story. I highly recommend this book.
Pages: 156 | ASIN: B08DK86DN7
Brian’s Journey: A Mother’s Healing After the Death of Her Son – Trailer
An emotional memoir by a mother who shares the harrowing experience of losing her son to suicide. Brian was her first baby boy: from the very beginning, he was a quick learner who readily made friends. As a teenager and young adult, he grew into a talented artist and musician, who also had a facility for languages, loved food and travel. He lived life. In this emotional memoir, Brian’s mother tries to understand the sudden mental illness that took over Brian’s life and led to his suicide. She describes the failures of the systems that could have helped him. And she shares her efforts to heal—a difficult path that other grieving families know all too well.
The Second Truth
![The Second Truth: Korean War by [John Viola HM2]](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/41SjDOVJ50L.jpg)
Everyone has a second truth in their lives. There is always some choice which can be made that will lead to suffering. We often do not know what these choices will lead to until it is too late. There are many people who do not fully understand what is entailed by their choice to protect and serve others, especially the suffering that can easily result from this choice. In the case of the Korean War, many of these sacrifices went forgotten by people back home, with a lack of recognition, this war, and the people who fought it began to fade into obscurity.
The Second Truth written by John Viola is a riveting personal account of his time spent in the military during the Korean War. This intriguing memoir gives incisive and thoughtful insight into what service men and women actually experience during their tours of duty. There is a matter of fact feeling to the book that tells it like it is.
While I enjoyed this memoir immensely, I would’ve like to have had the military terminology explained a little bit more so that readers who have no direct relation to the military could better understand what is being discussed. However, the book had a natural feel to it as well as an integrity to it that I found very satisfying and authentic.
If you are looking for a memoir that provides a candid view of the military during the Korean War then I would highly recommend The Second Truth by John Viola.
Pages: 62 | ASIN: B0794RTL9M
LITERARY TITAN 