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From Darkness to Sunshine speaks to the child in you FIRST. It will take the reader back to their adolescent years dealing with adversity (or simply put.. trials).
The author, Andrew Lanier being a minority in his own right expressed the valleys that later provided him with the tools to address his differences, in a more productive matter. Basically, standing up to the challenges within himself and around him. During this read, several pieces discussed had me nodding my head in agreement. Just to highlight a couple pieces, ~ Saying NO jumped off the page and stared me right in the face... lol. ~ Matters of Me Time, so important. I have always been a advocate of this recharging method. ~ Agreeing to disagree. ~ Last but not least Falling Out and Falling Back, this is very present to at least 2 friendships of my very own. But I digress. And of course, wish the them the very best in ALL they touch. Without further ado, Drew the brain a k a Drew the person.... well done! Good read. And to you, the book reviewer, don't be a faulty port... lol. Purchase your copy of From Darkness to Sunshine to see exactly where that thought came from. |
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This fiction was very inconsistent. Nevertheless, I read it to the end. I guess I was seeking a ending that tied the chapters together. I even found myself going back over the chapters thinking... perhaps I missed something.
The beginning of the novel... I had a visual or an understanding of the main character Mahogany, her grandmother and mother. THEN right before Mahogany's aunt and her family were introduced... the story line became cloudy. For instance, every death in the book happened without leading the reader to that moment. One chapter, the character is alive and breathing. However, the following chapter... Mahogany loses yet another family member. Also, to add to the confusion... it's a part in the book that suggest that Mahogany knew Aunty Ann before her mom died. Prior to that piece, the story described them meeting for the first at the grandmother's service. My goal is not at all to "roast" the author but to provide a feedback. The story line is there but needs a re-edit. Hoping the writer (whom I tried to find on IG) takes this back to the drawing board, I would LOVE to read the revised version and of course submit a second review. A few weeks back, I was out running errands and had to stop at one of my favorite grocery stores (Harris Teeter) to get the items for dinner. Prior to going there, I stopped at the Dollar Tree to get some tootsie rolls.
As I pulled up at the Teeter, I spotted a female all bundled up (due to the cold) with bags and some luggage beside her. I immediately thought to myself, when I get in the store I'll grab her some food and something to drink. Unfortunately, once parked and shopping was done, I loaded my things in the car. Yet did not think anymore about this young lady until I started my car to leave the parking lot. At the time, I parked my vehicle closer to her, got out with the tootsie roll bag in my pocket and asked her would she like to go to a shelter. She barely looked up at me. I could tell that she was cold, approachable, about my age and was busy into her reading. Her instant response to me was "no, I don't want to go to no shelter." For the life of me, I could not understand why this lady would rather be in this cold and outside with all her belongings than a SHELTER?! However, I quickly reminded myself not to judge.. not to judge her decision. Therefore, we talked and I asked her if she'd like a tootsie roll. Her response, tootsie roll... that's all you got?! She was not rude, she was actually laughing. She said, out of all the things, a tootsie roll, that is such a old school candy. Then she and I both began to laugh. Soon after, she shared... her need is financial... which I am sure many of us could attest to that! She also shared that her faith will not allow her the desire to go to a shelter. She continues, going to a shelter would be giving up faith on God. In return, I just listened. In closing of our conversation, she says thank you for giving her that laugh and that she needed that! Speaking on how I reminded her of her grandmother years ago with her "church candy." Needless to say, she was not interested in the candy or going to a shelter for that matter. Yet, the mouth WIDE open laugh and short chat meant the world to her. Sharing this to say, laughter is healing. And it's important to show kindness without judgment. In the world we live in, poverty is something that is swept under the rug way too much. Although I could not change her mind on going to a shelter. I walked away knowing I tried. What was your most recent act of kindness? Support: sup·port
~ give assistance to, especially financially; enable to function or act. Being a person that has supported friends, family, and/or colleagues for years... I can honestly say support is not always reciprocated. I wholehearted feel that we should root for one another. I find on social media, hashtags such as; Women Support Women Support Your Peeps Buy Black Shop Local but are you truly providing that support that you "hashtag" about or better yet... that you seek? Here are a few ways to support thy neighbors endeavors on a monetary level, followed by a non-monetary avenues. Monetary ~ Purchase their product or service(s) and gift it to a friend ~ Acquire their gem (product or service) for yourself ~ Ask them, where can you assist with a donation of goods or services to help them to get to the next level. Non-Monetary ~ Tell a Friend (word of mouth is POWERFUL) ~ (Follow,) Like, Share their social media post on your social media outlets ~ Provide constructive feedback (this makes them BETTER) Basically, be ENGAGED. Music is...
I may not know the title of every song or the beat of every tune My music collection is more in my head than at hands reach I can relate many of my life encounters to a song that was wrote for you to... just get your "Prettygirl Rock" on, to "Beat it" when I'm done, or if I'm having "One of those Days" as I had the other day, "Cater to you" when I'm doing for my man Its a "Beautiful Day" when I am blessed with another day to live love laugh (and learn) And of course, "Its a Family Affair" when I see the fam When I'm feeling myself "Just Fine" is on REPEAT When I need a shoulder to cry on and someone from my support system say.. "That's What Friends Are For" is so appreciated However, my latest song in rotation is "Her Heart" when I think of a man expressing how his hearts been woke up But when I'm down.. real down can I get a "Window Seat"? Although I've seen better days. A known quote, beside every strong man is a strong woman "Ambitious Girl" was introduced to me by my future hubby. Although I can't hold a note but if I could I would sang (and yes I said sang) "If This World Were Mine" to Rashad on a DAILY For those who didn't know.. "I'm a Boss" (R Elegance Event Planning has been in motion since 2007) Childhood tidbit, "Greatest Love Of All" was my jam I can go on and on with my music favorites but basically music is you, your beat and tune is your ballot so "Live your Life" the way you want it to be played |
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