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Amazon.com: Walking in the Deep End (9781893067097): Susan Parker: Books

Amazon.com: Walking in the Deep End (9781893067097): Susan Parker: Books

May
31
,
2010
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The Secrets of Resilient People

 

People often ask me why I wrote my memoir, Walking in the Deep End.  It's a fair question since I'm not a celebrity and I haven't invented anything, served in the military or been a politician. 

I think part of the answer lies in the reason I like READING memoirs.

Mostly, I gravitate towards those of ordinary people facing difficult and extra-ordinary circumstances.  I know that no one would characterize great authors like Maya Angelou or Mary Karr as ordinary-- they're both hugely talented.  But great books like , I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings and The Liar's Club were based on their memories and understanding of their non-celebrity lives. Of course, the beauty in the way they write blows me away, but even more than that is their ability to make me feel and understand their worlds and connect back to mine.  I admire their ability to keep going; keep creating; and make sense of their experiences as they evolve THROUGH them. 

The power of their stories is universal and the resiliency they show in the face of abandonment, shame, loneliness, etc. inspires me.  It connects me  to the human experience in ways I might not otherwise.  It gives me understanding and hope - two things this world needs probably more than anything.

So, if somehow, someone can read my story and find the universal....  and in doing so, understand something about themselves or others...or find hope and a little encouragement... well, I've done my job as a writer!

I''ll close today's entry with a list I found in an article in Smart Living while I was visiting family in South Carolina. 

The Secrets of Resilient People

  • They stay connected
  • They're optimistic
  • They're spiritual
  • They're playful
  • They give back
  • They pick their battles
  • They stay healthy
  • They find the silver lining

Cheers!

Susan

www.walkinginthedeepend.com

BTW, last night I finished Kathy Patrick's book: The Pulpwood Queen's Tiara-Wearing Book-Sharing Guide to Life. I loved it and the resiliency and positive energy she represents.  www.pulpwoodqueen.com

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

May
27
,
2010
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Kathy Patrick and Susan Parker
May
25
,
2010
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Beauty and the Book

 

Monday morning started out the way almost all weekdays do. My alarm went off at 6 am and I was instantly transported from some weird, dream-state/adventure back to the reality of my wonderful, sometimes-challenging-but-never-boring, ordinary life. 

I pulled myself out of bed and headed upstairs to wake my slumbering sixteen year-old daughter. Once I was certain she was awake, I made it back downstairs and crawled into bed until 6:50 – the time I drive that darling girl of mine to school.
THAT’s when I remembered that this Monday was different. Well, okay, maybe not totally different, but it WAS the first day I got to wear my new, pink Pulpwood Queens T-shirt! 

I know, I know, I can hear those of you who know me well…
Pink?
Yes, Pink
Pulpwood Queens? 
Definitely!
What’s that? You ask.
Just the biggest book club in the world! The Pulpwood Queens of East Texas were founded in 2000, by Kathy Patrick and have grown to over 300 chapters in ten countries!  Kathy is a fellow author (The Pulpwood Queen’s Tiara-Wearing, Book-Sharing Guide) who also owns Beauty and the Book, the only beauty salon and bookstore in the country. 
Kathy is a tireless advocate for literacy and has also helped many authors along the way. She’s a true American original!
You can check out her website at www.beautyandthebook.com
  
Last Saturday, I made the four hour drive to historic Jefferson, Texas so I could finally meet Kathy, talk about books, AND get my hair cut and styled. 
When I pulled into the parking lot and got out of my car, I was greeted by a friendly voice coming from a lovely college-age girl. 
“Welcome to Beauty and the Book! I’m Lainie, the owner’s daughter.”
How’s that for Southern hospitality? I generally love high school and college-aged kids and within seconds, I realized talking with Lainie was going to be particularly enjoyable. Charming, animated, well-read, she was a pure delight.  
I entered the bookstore/salon and Kathy greeted me with
“Hi Susan, Welcome to Beauty and the Book!”
The next two hours were filled with great conversations about hair, books, travel, family and Elvis - often three or four going on simultaneously. It was a whirlwind of people and activity. Somehow, in the midst all of that, Kathy did an amazing job on my hair! Seriously, it’s never looked better! Before the afternoon was over, I got great hair and bookselling tips; purchased products for my hair; became a member of the Pulpwood Queens AND was invited to attend the Pulpwood Queen’s Girlfriend Weekend/Author Extravaganza in January! (This will be FUN! And, can you believe it? I’ll be a featured author along with incredible authors like Pat Conroy, Rick Bragg, Fannie Flagg and many others!)
Whew!
Today, I’m sitting in my house feeling grateful remembering what Maya Angelou once said:
"People won't remember what you said, people won't remember what you did, but they will remember how you made them feel."
Yes, even if, as the years go by, I forget some of what we discussed at Beauty and the Book this weekend, I know I’ll always remember how Kathy and Lainie made me feel. 
For that, I am truly grateful!
Susan Parker
Author of Walking in the Deep End
"Gratitude is a vaccine, an anti-toxin and an anti-septic." -JH Jowett
Check back soon to visit my new blog at http://yourlifecalling.zooloo.com
May
25
,
2010
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Life is good and good friends, both new and old, make it better!
May
24
,
2010
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The one who says it cannot be done should not interrupt the one doing it." - Chinese Proverb
May
24
,
2010
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