World Mental Health Day holds deep meaning for me. My mother lived most of her life with a mental illness, and my family lived with this fact in silence. I feel so grateful that my mother and I managed to renew our bond a few years before she passed away nine years ago.
If you are living with a mental illness, or know someone close that does, please know that you are never alone. Your support system is always nearby.
The Gateway to Fourline by Pam Brondos is the first installment of a three part series. It delves into the world of Natalie Barnes, a college student trying to do what’s right for her family’s farming business while struggling to maintain her good college standing. Natalie finds a job in a costume shop to pay for her college tuition, yet one day, she enters a room that is off-limits. Curiosity leads Natalie into a world filled with powerful women and an evil lord, with plenty of unanswered questions. Before she knows it, Natalie gets drawn into the world of Fourline and fights for a cause that grows deep into her heart. She develops an affinity toward a blighted race, and this threatens her well-being, as well as ones who are closest to her while on her journey.
Although it took me a while to finish this book, I found Gateway to Fourline to be well paced. It left me wondering what would happen next right until the very end. I look forward to learning about what will happen to Natalie and the others in Fourline as I take on the next book in this world fairly soon.
After a long day of professional development trainings, I received great news from Andy: his cancer specialist informed him that he’s now 18 years in remission. I’m so happy for him! Andy is truly a wonderful person, and he deserves good blessings in his life.
Tonight we’re taking a trip to Philadelphia. Andy needs to do some music shopping down there, and the timing of the excursion fits well. We both got off work early, and he received this great piece of news. It’s a welcoming end to a Monday.
I spent a lovely day with my family in Paterson. I first visited my mother’s gravesite, a few minutes away from my grandparents’ house. I do my best to visit her at least once a month. It’s such a sacred time for me.
I then visited the rest of my family in Paterson. My niece is getting bigger each time I see her. She began PreK last month, and so far she’s loving it. Easy drop offs, her mom tells me. We’re hoping it stays that way!
My grandparents are doing good also. My grandfather had a health scare the other day, but thankfully took care of it in time. He was enjoying the cookout my cousin Brittany was in charge of. He also shared with me news about some family friends in Puerto Rico.
Brittany also gave me some clothes to use for my classroom theme. Her daughter has no need for them, and I have a shortage of clothes in my room. I’m grateful for whatever she can give.
This is a disappointing day for America. The majority of our government just declared that human decency and women’s voices fail to matter. A misogynist running our country gives the green light for racists and sexists to come out of the woodwork. There must be an end to this chaos somewhere.
It pains me that my 4 year old niece is living in a country that’s reliving the wrong side of history.
My Timehop for today features Daisy, a beagle that was in our lives for two yesrs. We adopted her in Clifton Animal Shelter. Sadly, she passed away last year due to kidney failure. Daisy loved laying next to me so I can pet her all the time. She was so adorable. Like Suzy, my family’s beloved pet who also passed away, Daisy will always hold a special place in my heart.
Watching the MLB playoffs is exciting to watch, even when your team isn’t playing.
Visiting my family in a couple days. I’m really hoping that my grandfather is feeling better.
I’m really enjoying the spookathon photo challenge. Some of the prompts require some thought, but I’m curious to see what I can discover from my book collection.
