Each blog about the S.H.E. Anthology has a unique excerpt to keep things fresh.
Newton, Connecticut? I heard about the massacre at Sandy Hook Elementary School; who didn’t? Due to my experience with the lingering influences of suicidal death on a surviving child, something within my spirit moved me to respond. While reflecting on the recent trauma, I felt that those kids and folks might feel less alienated and alone if they were shown the light at the end of their tunnels. I wanted to find a way to be empower the children and their community while revealing to them a HOPE that things can and do get better.
After pondering a bit, I thought that town’s residents might enjoy rhetoric from kindred spirits. Soon after, God illuminated my next step. Thinking of three books that I had partial copyrights to, I began compiling that book. Plus, I immediately had the title of an anthology in my mind. By the way, the S.H.E. Anthology is NOT a romance anthology but it was written by all females. In this book, the girls recollected traumas, mostly related to death, that they faced while in elementary school. Their stories reveal their path out of mourning along with many minor miracles that they encountered. Their tales of hope and inspiration are true accounts from those children turned authors. One writer and illustrator is only six; Thai wanted to be a part of empowering children to survive harsh things in life; so, her piece is story number three in this book. Hopefully, others especially health care professionals will enjoy the types of stories contained in this compilation.
By the way, the abbreviation ‘S.H.E’ also refers to Sandy Hook Elementary. Isn’t God the best at setting up coincidences?
This main goal of this book is to empower Newton as well as others that read it; we sent their library a paperback copy. The authors hope you feel moved to do the same.
Plus, we hope that this anthology sheds some new light on grief recovery in the minds of teachers, mental health professionals, and adults handling major life changes. The compilation’s royalties will help charities involved in grief counseling or with mental health issues- especially for children therapies for the types of traumas witnessing massacres produce. For example, one local group ‘New Hope for Kids’ (Orlando) will get some of the profits from this compilation because the group that started this organization helped Stacey over 20 years ago.
Speaking of that child, in one part of this anthology, there’s great insight into being the victim of death and childhood loss. Stacey’s Song is an intimate look at a ten year old girl’s personal story about the results of her mother’s cancer death. She, also, deals with the aftermath that includes her dad going crazy and committing suicide. Obviously, tragedies, such as the Sandy Hook Massacre, touch home with her. In her book contained in this anthology, the young girl talks candidly and inspirationally about surmounting her PTSD. Her honesty through writing is only surpassed by the miracles and guidance from those around her including God.
Stacey talks about how her aunt took her in and, also, mentored her so that she was ready for any curve ball life handed her. This excerpt shows how life goes full circle, and God has a plan.
(Aunt) Cindy often said, “Before my (your) mom died, I promised her that I’d get you through graduation day. Lord, save me!” Barely passing the state imposed test and grading system, I wore the cap and gown as her first graduate. As they played the Pomp and Ceremony, I felt a bit forlorn missing my real mom. Little did I know that Aunt Cindy kept composing herself to hide a river of tears! ‘Mom promised Stacey and me that she’d be here for Stacey’s graduation day but cancer ignored her wishes.’ That thought haunted her. To keep from crying, Cindy focused on the other song they played as balloons dropped and hats flew; it rang out our Celebration. That song played on another very special day.
A few years earlier, Jenny and I danced on Disney’s First Count Down to Kid’s Day Special. It aired on national television, on my birthday. Cindy threw a huge party to watch our debut and celebrate my birth. We found Jenny’s shoes and my face behind the actor, Sinbad, in the finale. At the time he stared in a series about being a foster parent. How apropos! The man gave me a “high five” before leaping into his limousine. However, what I remembered most about that day was doing sign language with the deaf children and hugging some underprivileged Disney guests. Both days made me see how lucky I was to have Cindy guiding me.
I think because she opened herself to God, He guided her as well. She wasn’t really an angel just a very honest and trustworthy soul. Plus, she had the uncanny ability to relate incidents together for the better good. Soon, I learned how full circle life with her revolved. In other words, thirteen years later, her openness to God’s novel ability provided cool incidents in my adult life. For example, while at work I met a man, a police officer. His name is John. As we discussed orphans and life’s ups and downs, I discovered he raised and orphan, too. That is not what caught my attention. We actually shared a different bond.
“How long have you been a cop?” I chimed into the ongoing conversation at work.
“About twelve years!”
“Oh, then you would not know!” I spoke thoughts.
“Know what?” He prodded.
“About my dad!” I added.
“What happened to your dad?”
“He committed suicide in 1991.”
“Oh?” My coworkers and he questioned rhetorically.
“Yeah, put the car on fire and died!” I finally spoke it aloud.
“Where?” The policeman showed interest.
“In this town!” I answered.
“When?” He pursued. “I used to be a fireman!”
“In 1991?” I questioned.
After a strange pause, he calmly stated, “I pulled his body from the car that night, then.”
My mind wandered around my first playground. The rope swing rested motionless because my soul decided to ignore its pleas to escape my current life, this time. My dungeons and their caretakers evaded my sight as well, which revealed my level of maturity and growth. Then, somewhere in the distance, fire engine sounds rang out. As a child, I’d run to grab the candy thrown from this Christmas decorated truck. That vehicle arrived, once a year; and I loved its sound. After dad died in the fire, his suicide method, I avoided all firemen, trucks, toys, and thoughts. Nothing convinced me that there existed any goodness in anything associated with fire. Today, life revolved full circle once again because this policeman witnessed it all. It never jaded him. At that moment, I thought about my mother’s last smile as Santa approached her window. The present is definitely the gift.
I called Cindy immediately with my news. She wasn’t as surprised as me. Nothing sent from God surprised her anymore not even my chance to share my feeling about Dad’s death with another participant from 1991. It’s cathartic!
This was only the beginning of Stacey’s Song. Is it a mournful tune? What happened next? Read her full story in Stacey’s Song or in the S.H.E. Anthology.
The eBook copy of the S.H.E Anthology is available @
The paperback version comes in BLACK & WHITE on AMAZON @
http://www.amazon.com/S-H-E-Anthology--In-Black-White/dp/1482076225/ref=sr_1_19?ie=UTF8&qid=1359383172&sr=8-19&keywords=mchanson714
Plus, the S.H.E Anthology is in color paperback format @
http://www.amazon.com/S-H-E-Anthology-Cynthia-Meyers-Hanson/dp/1481987100/ref=sr_1_18?ie=UTF8&qid=1359382582&sr=8-18&keywords=mchanson714
as a KINDLE @
http://www.amazon.com/the-S-H-E-Anthology-ebook/dp/B00B6C4NQ8/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1361303178&sr=8-2&keywords=the+S.H.E.+Anthology
in other eBook formats @ SMASHWORDS.com @
http://www.smashwords.com/books/view/278511
So, come on buy to be inspired and help grieving children.
It’s a WIN-WIN.
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