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Reaching Beyond
Category:
Relationships
Publisher: Reaching Beyond, Inc.
ISBN-10: 0974189340
Type: Non-Fiction
Pages: 248
Copyright: 2006
Mama May I is the fifth book in author
Charlotte Johnson’s series of motivational texts. After twenty-two years of battling addiction and multiple incarcerations, the family appears to have reached a state of calm. This is merely the calm prior to the greatest storm this family has ever faced. Just as the family begins to deal with the effects of years of institutionalization and the residual effects of chronic drug use, a surprise visitor arrives in town throwing the family into chaos. After a family secret and conspiracy is revealed, the reader along with Ms. Johnson is forced to reevaluate everything they have previously known about the family. As the plot progresses, the layers of the conspiracy are subtly exposed revealing a depth of sin and deceit reminiscent of Nathaniel Hawthorne’s The Scarlet Letter. Will the family be able to weather this storm?
This book reveals a level of honesty
infrequently seen in authorized biographies and memoirs. Ms. Johnson is able to bring to life the effects of substance abuse on the user and the entire family system. She is able to acknowledge her co-dependent behavior and its affects on her children. Although hopeful that the family will be able to overcome its past now that Mr. Johnson is clean and sober, they soon realize that every action has a consequence. Can a man take fire into his bosom and not be burned?
Ms. Johnson explores how negative
behavioral patterns can be learned and transmitted over multiple family generations and within a community. This is an excellent book for those living in or working with substance and alcohol abusing families, co-dependants, counselors, or those experiencing divorce, married or preparing for marriage, a member of an extended family, anyone recovering from betrayal, forced to reevaluate their life goals or in need of a great book.
The surprise ending will leave the reader questioning along with Ms. Johnson; “Can you ever really know someone?” One thing is very clear after reading this book. “All that glitters is not gold and every good-bye ain’t gone.” Once again Ms. Johnson invites her readers to view her life as an open book and experience God’s Grace and unmerited favor.
When I decided that I was tired of a drug induced life style, I began a campaign to make Henry stop using the drugs. There were times when I threw his drugs away. There were other times
when I tried to knock the works (needle) out of his hands. I became adept at blowing his high.
One day in an act of desperation, I tested him. Although, he assured me that he loved me more than the drugs, I doubted this. He said that he
loved me ‘more than a hog loves slop.’ We were at home sitting in the living room. Henry had tried repeatedly to find a good vein in his arms or legs.
His repeated usage had caused many of his veins to collapse. He became a determined an expert marksman. As he repeatedly stuck himself, I became disgusted. My starring at him was probably contributing to the problem. When I could hold my disgust no longer, I began a tirade.
Determined to show how severe the problem was, I said, “Before you take another hit, hit me!”
Henry looked at me in shock and disbelief. He knew how I felt about the drugs. He was afraid that this was a trap.
Excerpt
This is my fifth book. In some ways it has
been the easiest to write. It has also been the most
difficult and heart wrenching. On numerous
occasions, I have been asked if writing my first
book, A Journey to Hell and Back, was therapeutic.
That wasn’t the purpose of the book. In writing
Mama May I, however, I have found therapeutic
release in dealing with a very painful and trying
period in my life. Yet, I still remain shocked by the
events that have transpired in my life in recent
months.
Perhaps, some people thought that I would
be too embarrassed to write about these events.
I’m sure they hoped many of their deeds would
never see print. However, when deceit and
treachery are done open and notoriously, it’s never
really hidden. Therefore, I have chosen to share
openly what some have discussed in private. This
book has brought me a lot of personal and reflective
growth. As always, I pray that you will be blessed
by the honesty shared in this book.
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