Martha and Me
A Handicapped Child with a Purpose in Life
by
Book Cover & Preview Text
Martha and Me shares the touching story of a sweet little girl's journey as she finds her purpose in life and teaches the world that being physically challenged does not define her, but instead makes her special.
“First, she thought the bluebird was similar to her in that it was cute and chubby and alone on a branch. Its friends were flying away from the bluebird just like in school when all the students move away from her. Martha wished she could open her window and invite the bluebird in to discuss their situations. She never realized that even animals have the same problems.”
Martha, like so many of us, faces challenges every day that affect her daily life. She is a resilient little girl who is not put off by being different. When approached by adversity, she forges ahead oblivious to any obstacles. Martha is the kind of child who would gather rosebuds despite the thorns.
In this story, Martha is surrounded by loving, caring and supportive people. However, she is also confronted by those who are a negative influence in her life including by not limited to her schoolmates, the sales people she encounters locally, and in general, many diverse people in her neighborhood. Many display behavior that is contrary to Martha’s belief system, and the behavior she displays on a daily basis. She is faced with defending herself many times in many places because people just don’t understand her or why she is this way.
She is searching high and low to meet a friend whom she can share her everyday experiences with. Someone who she can laugh with, tell her most inner secrets to and converse with on all day to day happenings. This is something that everyone wants in life and is sometimes difficult to find because someone will almost always find something wrong or odd or different about you. Martha goes on day after day realizing that there is someone out there that will one day want to be her real friend despite what others may think or say. This little girl will win over your heart and you will want very much to reach out and to be her friend. This is what life is all about. No one should be alone to not be able to share their experiences in life with others. We all need and want others to share in many aspects of our lives. After reading this book you will want to reach out and call Martha on the phone or look for her on the street, or in a crowded room etc. She will absolutely want to receive you as her personal friend as well. There are many Martha’s in every neighborhood because no one is perfect. We all have imperfections or insecurities and even physical challenges of some sort. If we let them stand in our way we will never experience life. No matter what anyone says to you or thinks of you, forge forward and live your most precious life. You will be rewarded and find that the world is good after all. Martha is precious and so are YOU!!!
Formats
Book Details
About the Book
Six-year-old Martha is smart, sassy, and speaks differently than those around her. She does not think anything is wrong with her, but unfortunately, the world does. During the day, her classmates tease her about the way she talks. At night, Martha retreats into her imagination and finds happiness in her pretend play as a teacher who loves all her handicapped students.
Martha has real dreams. She is a good child who helps her mother with chores around the house and loves listening to her babysitter, Rosa, tell fairytales. But when Martha’s teacher asks her to read her paper in front of the class one day, all the other students laugh and bully her. Martha is naturally devastated. She must learn to overcome her challenges, believe in herself, and practice kindness. But will she ever be able to find a friend who accepts her just as she is?
Martha and Me shares the touching story of a sweet little girl’s journey as she finds her purpose in life and teaches the world that being physically challenged does not define her, but instead makes her special.
About the Author
As a native New Yorker born and raised in New York City as a Roman Catholic, I cherish life to its fullest. It’s the journey that excites me and enables me to choose a direction or re-direction each and every day in order to achieve my goals including happiness for myself and others that are part of my life or those I come in contact with.
Attending the University of Life Experience-School of Hard Knocks-I have learned so much over the years. I just can’t get enough of what life has to offer each and every day. I am very happy and truly blest. I am grateful for every day and I continuously count my blessings for what I have not what I don’t.
As a Christian woman I try to live my life according to God’s word and principles, whenever and wherever possible. I am far from being perfect, but I strive to do better and to be the person God wants me to be in a difficult and diverse world.
As a former Human Resources Professional, I have been blessed to have worked for several organizations within different industries which have made a distinct impact on my life over the years. Collectively, I have worked for JCPenney Company, Inc. (Retail); McGraw-Hill, Inc. (Publishing); Quantum Chemical Corporation (Petro-Chemicals); Viacom (Media); and Saint Vincent’s Hospital and Saint Vincent Catholic Medical Centers of New York (Healthcare).
All of these work experiences along with my personal life experiences and my belief in God have contributed to the wealth of knowledge I have gained over the years. As a recent cancer survivor, I have a better understanding of what others go through and realize that life is precious and worth living so I try to make each day count and make the best of it, no matter what! This is what has made me the person I have become which is constantly evolving in this ever- so- changing world.
Some of my favorite things are: listening to good music, singing out loud, looking at decorated Christmas trees and colorful holiday lights on windows that glisten in the evening skies, baking cookies, cakes and candy for all holidays’, waiting for Santa Claus on Christmas Eve, hearing silent night sung by the choir on the eve of Christmas during mid-night mass, daydreaming, collecting and wearing stylish and beautiful jewelry that shimmers and sparkles, reading a good novel while sipping on hot chocolate, having a great collection of pocketbooks especially Anuschka which means one of a kind, and individually hand painted with beautiful scenic designs, watching a great classic movie or a horror flick and sitting near a fireplace on a cold winter’s night watching the snow falling, the stars twinkling in the skies and dreaming of what’s to be!