BOOK REVIEW: I Can do Hard Things with God by Ganel-lyn Condie

Essays of strength from Mormon Women (members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints)

We all experience circumstances that are difficult. Some may seem less challenging when seen through the lens of time. Some never go away. We just learn to deal with them.

The author shares a number of stories like that. The contents page sorts the stories into seven categories, including health, financial, family, mental illness, and more. Each category presents two or more stories of people.

It would be well for any of us who struggle to read this book. It is like the old game of tossing shoes in a circle. We would choose our own because they fit us. Other people sharing their experiences can help if we have the same problem.

They also uplift in general when we see that others can handle difficulties and, just maybe, we can learn a thing or two about handling our own.

Many of the people tell how their problems were made easier with the support of others. It’s called ministering. People become God’s helpers.

MyraSaidIt

 

 

BOOK REVIEW: The Story of My Life

An Afghan Girl on the Other Side of the Sky, by Farah Ahmedi

In 2005, ABC News’s Good Morning America asked viewers to write essays describing true-life experiences.  This book was voted “America’s #1 Story.

She was 19 when she wrote her story of survival after becoming severely injured and disabled when she stepped on a landmine on her was to school. She spent years in a German hospital before receiving a prosthetic leg.

When bombs struck her neighborhood she lost her home and entire family besides her mother. She was just a young child at the time, but it became her responsibility to watch over her mother who became distraught and unable to care for herself. It was up to her to make all decisions and assist her mother in escaping the war-torn country.

With help, she was able to reach the American consulate and come to America. Adjusting to this new culture was a difficult challenge made more difficult because her mother had become fearful and withdrawn. Mother and daughter had traded places with an emotionally disabled parent depending on her child who was having to grow up in an unnatural speed.

An American couple took charge and made all the difference by taking Farah to school, shopping and everywhere she needed to go. They even made sure her worn-out prosthetic leg, which never fit in the beginning, replaced.

This story reads like that written by a young girl as she tells her story in a simple yet compelling manner.

I am writing this review on 9-11, the anniversary of the terrorist attack on our country 17 years ago. No one should ever take our freedoms for granted. Reading the story of a girl who survived a loss of freedoms should make us grateful for all those who work so diligently to protect freedom around the world.

MyraSaidIt

Birthdays

Today is my birthday. Do you think I would be allowed to forget it? I mean, when I was a kid many years ago, I loved birthdays and wanted to hear “Happy Birthday”. But that was then and this is now. I had a second thought. Wanting to forget is akin to forgetting my Mother. After-all, she made my birthday possible. It was a day of birth for her, too. I actually considered that several years ago when I sent her a birthday card for my birthday. She was surprised and pleased.

It started early this morning. A friend traveling out of town took time to call me with a birthday.

When I was working on a story, A Facebook message flashed on my screen telling me someone had posted on my page. I checked it out and found more than one. This was repeated several times during the day. You guessed it. Birthday greetings. I had to smile. It was nice to be remembered. Everyone is busy, and yet, they took time to be thoughtful.

I admit, I have gone back and forth on this birthday thing. When I was teaching high school, it was common for birthdays of students, teachers, and office personnel to have their birthdays announced on the intercom. I didn’t want that, so I requested mine be omitted. I knew at least one of my students would surely ask, “How old are you”? I could do without that. Pride? or what?

So, when the morning announcements were given, I had escaped.  It didn’t last long. Just before lunch, my classroom door opened and in walked a couple of my friends. They were carrying a wrapped gift, a lunch and slice of cake!

My secret was out.

The room sounded like a beehive in my room with questions from every direction. They wanted to know why by birthday had not been announced. Birthday greetings were expressed with excitement. And, then there came THAT question from one of my male students. He was verbally pounced on by a couple of girls coming to my defense, “You don’t ask a lady that question”. Poor kid. He was embarrassed and said no more, except “Happy Birthday, Mrs. Larsen”. It spread from class and back again, even to those in previous classes. It lasted until the final bell. That proved none of my students hated me even when they didn’t always enjoy classwork.

When you really thing about it, a birthday  should be a happy day. I’ve had so many things to be grateful for all these years of my life. I have a wonderful family, my mother is 94 and she has her memory. I have hundreds of friends. I have a roof above my head and walls to keep me safe. I have plenty of food and more clothes than I need. I have faith and hope in the future. I can write stories and articles on my website and blog. I have the opportunity to write a couple of books. I’m included in a couple of writers’ groups writing an anthology.

My gratitude list could, like yours, go on and on. One thing leads to another and then another.

I hope I have many more birthdays. How else can I get to be 100? That would be wonderful, if I can hold onto my gratitude list and make it grow.