Reflections of Mamie - A Story of Survival (Paperback)

Reflections of Mamie is a riveting true account of brokenness and healing that captured my heartfelt attention from the very first page. The devastating emotional and physical abuse inflicted by a tyrannical Mother upon her little girl may seem unforgivable but little ‘Mamie' never gave up in her persistent quest to win her love. She was affectionately nicknamed ‘Mamie' by her little brother who was unable to pronounce her real name…Rosemary. Little Mamie journals the story of how she survived this tragic relationship which begins about the age of four and never ended right up to the time of her Mother's passing. I learned that not all Mothers have a loving maternal instinct and indeed, a few are actually diabolical and sadistic toward their children as in this case. The fact that Mamie's love-hate relationship with her Mother persisted for a lifetime, reflected the fact that she never gave up hope of bonding with her. I highly recommend this book which I deem to be five star material.

"Reflections of Mamie: A Story of Survival" is an excellent five star memoir that is written in a highly engaging narrative form and I feel so fortunate that I had a chance to read it. It is a brave account of Mamie's experience of living through horrendous physical and emotional abuse as a child and young adult in the 50s and 60s. It is a story written to open the door of communication and provide an invitation, even a calling, to other victims of abuse to also share their story. Mamie writes about the difficulties she experiences in dredging up these frightening memories of abuse, but she also shares the need and relief she feels sharing her story rather than leaving the impact of the abuse buried deep within the interior of her psyche to haunt her and cause her further harmful stress. One gets the idea from reading her story that if she can move out of abuse toward creating a positive environment with loving relationships in her adult life, that others can do the same. I love the way she addresses the reader throughout her sharing and brings you into her close confidence. It is this warm closeness with her readers in which she instills confidence and empowerment in anyone who has experienced abuse to be strong and work toward a better life through sharing with others whom they can trust. I highly recommend this memoir for anyone who has experienced abuse as well as to anyone who needs to understand what people abused as children go through. This book says what many others will not say, reveals the abuse experience as it is lived, and leaves you with the clear understanding what you need in order to be sensitive and knowledgeable on this issue with anyone you might know who has been abused. I plan to recommend it in my coaching as an empowering example of a person who has found her strength in life despite the many hardships she endured and who understands the power of sharing one's life feelings with others who care and how that can lead to a transformation toward happiness.