BayouPublishing
Guest speaker @DrRogerLeslie will share information about his new book 'Teach Me Success' during Aldine ISD’s in-service on Aug 16, 2016
“The artwork is stunning, and the stories truly touching and poignant. This book is simply inspirational." -Esther Valdez
“Fran’s message is touching and real; the circle of giving and receiving lives in her medium of listening to the stories of people who have walked a similar path." - Yvonne Denbina Owner, Garden of the Dragonfly Art Gallery
Fran Padgett is the author of “Breast Cancer Recovery: No One Wrote a Manual", the winner of six literary awards in 2007, including the prestigious Benjamin Franklin Silver Award in Health. Her new book “Breast Cancer: No One Chose This Journey" is the second in the Breast Cancer series, and is a tribute - of paintings and stories - to women who have traveled the breast cancer journey. As you read these stories, as only Fran can tell, you’ll see glimpses of rare human strength. You’ll admire courageous decisions, and appreciate the spiritual beauty of these women. You may find yourself reading through tears, maybe your jaw clenched in frustration, or with a smile as you relate to a “really tough lady." But for all you will applaud.
Tribute: Evening at the Lake
*eBook download link included in email is valid for 48 hours.
A gifted artist and original thinker, Fran Padget chronicles what it means to face breast cancer. She founded the Weathervane Foundation to support breast cancer research and was awarded the BMW 2005 Houston Hero Award for her dedication to breast cancer cause.
TABLE OF CONTENTS * Introduction: The vignettes Foreword * Dedication: To Esther Preface Acknowledgments * Prologue: Enter Esther
Chapter One: Galveston * Sunrise to Sunrise: Searching for Solitude Mozelle, The Lady from Timpson Texas Deborah. Chemo Will Have to Wait “Annie" from Barbados.
Chapter Two: Beautiful Spirit Evaline. Sometimes there are miracles * Dee. Champagne with Dee Anna. The couple on the beach Judy. Diane’s sister, the one who nurtures the whole family
Chapter Three: Awesome Strength * Virginia. Brave. Courageous. Proud Bonnie. The challenge bike ride of Bonnie J.
Chapter Four: Over And Over. And Over Again. Gracie. The Voice of an Angel, the Face of a Star Jimmie Sue. Times Three Anita. What Are the Odds? Shannon. “…need a lending ear" Alice’s story Eight sisters. The mysterious double line Chapter Five: Tears of the Fathers; tears of the Sons * Sylene. Tears of the Sons Juliarose. Tears of a Father Joan. Eyes of Swedish Blue
Chapter Six: Take time for your dreams Beverly. The Journalist * Sheila. What price peace of mind?
Chapter Seven: The power of eight Denise and Chris Pam and Pat Joan, Linda, Rochelle And one “mystery lady"
Chapter Eight: Too young Destiny. Unfinished violin, unfinished life Stephanie. Stars for jewels Victoria. Four Victorias Lisa. For Lisa from Esther
Chapter Nine: The power of life survives The Lady Led a Secret Life Anna’s Love Story * Wilhelmina. The Cove at Sunrise
Chapters
No One Chose this Journey
INTRODUCTION
At a professional convention in Galveston, I was sitting at the publisher’s table signing copies of my previous work Breast Cancer Recovery: No One Wrote a Manual, when my agent introduced me to women who wanted to share with me their own stories. There was Amy, who was anxious to share the story of her mother-in-law Mozelle, a really tough lady from Timpson, Texas. After Amy came Deborah, her bravado not covering her fear. She was told by doctors only a week prior that she had an invasive ductal carcinoma.
With each passing week, as I attended gallery exhibits, civic luncheons, conventions across America, more and more “Amy’s," and “Deborah’s", fathers, husbands and sons, came up to talk to me. I’ve found it has become a most gratifying part of my unchosen journey to hear these breast cancer experiences, to be given favorite colors and snippets of life, sparking the creation of a painting I could dedicate to each one. Soon my agent and I saw the growing nucleus of a new project.
In your hands you hold words and images of a most special gift exchange. It all began somewhat unintentionally, but as time went on, it grew and developed into this volume.
With these narratives, these vignettes, come glimpses of rare human strength, showing courageous decisions, and the spiritual beauty of these women. You may find yourself reading through tears, maybe your jaw clenched in frustration, or with a smile as you relate to a “really tough lady."
This is my tribute, my gift, to these brave ladies.
Virginia: Brave, Courageous, Proud
In a newspaper eulogy for Virginia, writer George Hazard defined bravery as “advancing toward a monster unafraid," and courage as “advancing toward a monster despite being afraid," Virginia being both. With these words in my mind, I define Virginia…
BRAVE. COURAGEOUS. PROUD.
She picked the day she would die.
She loved dancing and riding, living and laughing.
She loved camellias and studied them.
She loved talking to people, her voice a husky Southern accent.
She loved politics and working on the City Council.
She loved her grandkids, making life and learning fun for them.
She loved her husband and nursed him through his final illness.
She said no to breast cancer treatments the second time it came.
She was brave, she was courageous, she was proud.
—————————————————————–— From Chapter Three: AWESOME STRENGTH