Through Fire and Rain

Its hard to believe all that one person(and her family) went thru. Very difficult to read, your heart just broke for them. Powerful read!

I love memoirs and "Through Fire and Rain" did not disappoint me. Without giving anything away, this book examines how people can be struck with the lowest of blows, move through them, survive, and be struck again and again yet keep going like the most incredible version of the Energizer Bunny! The power of love and prayer are key themes and progressive medicine plays a role as well  This is a story of true love, real life, and facing near-impossible odds. It's a remarkable story that makes for a compelling, inspiring read and does exactly what the best of memoirs can do.

Thanks to Netgalley, the publisher. and the author for allowing me to read and review a digital copy of this book.  This is an inspiring read and does exactly what the best of memoirs can do.

What an incredible woman. Her resolve and manner of handling anything that came her way was inspiring to read. Difficult to read due to the circumstances of what this wonderful lady and loved ones had to endure, but well worth the read. Thanks to NetGalley, the author and the publisher for the ARC of this book in return for my honest review.

Through Fire and Rain by Maryann and Joseph Anselmo is the heartwrenching account of a couple who goes through more than anyone should have to. Excited on the night of her first big singing performance, MaryAnn is devastated to learn after the show that her only child, a son, has committed suicide. That is the first of a number of horrific events that she must rise above as she comes to terms with his death. Shortly afterwards, she is in a horrendous car accident where she almost loses her life and must learn to walk, talk, sing and live day to day. After a long recovery from that, she is diagnosed with cancer and another long recovery begins. Through the telling, both MaryAnn and her husband Joe retain their senses of dignity and humor.

Thank you to the authors, Story Merchant and NetGalley for an ARC of this novel for my honest review.  A really quick and enjoyable read!

This is such an inspirational book. From losing her son Dustin, to suicide, and then being in a wreck of  a car car with her dad. Mary Ann went through alot, and fate wasnt done with her yet, cancer came calling. This story is told by Mary Ann and her husband Joe.  They have such fighting spirits.

One of my favorite quotes is not why me but rather -try me!
I think it fits nicely here because you never realize just how strong the human heart or humanity is until it breaks and you must put the broken pieces together.
The lark sings a song much like humans learn to recover from trauma, abuse, hardships, love, and loss.
It's never easy but life is full of challenges and if you're like me you might even believe that they are there to teach us a lesson, to guide us spiritually, to transform us to fly using our wings.
MaryAnn Anselmo is just such a woman on a mission, she has a voice, she speaks from the heart, she knows that nothing can bring her down.
Pregnant at 17 yo is difficult enough but to later have a stroke, lose a son and a father, suffer from brain cancer and yet through it all have the love, support, and comforts of home is a true blessing.
As we come upon Thanksgiving next month we should all give thanks as these are extremely trying times that no doubt have been filled with so much loss due to the pandemic gripping our nation.
As I type this I'm in extreme poverty, raising a family of 4 solo, having all honor roll students including one in college.
I survived a horrific flu that put me in the ER back in January as I was severely dehydrated and nearly passed out with EKG that resulted in sinus tachycardia. I'm now struggling with HUS -a fatal blood disorder- that will shut down my kidneys requiring B12 injections and iron infusions to keep me upright. I have sever spinal stenosis that has at times caused paralysis in my legs resulting in falls.
I'm also suffering from Raynaud's in my L thumb with zero blood flow -ergo I must keep my hands warm or lose them as it'll turn black.
In addition, to this my vertigo acts up along with my severe anemia and with heavy menses -Ladies let me tell you -the porcelain goddess is always on stand bye.
I can tell you this having lost my niece in 2016 to an alleged drag racer on I4 in Florida as the only child to pass from a 7 car accident because one man's actions landed his truck on the top of my niece's car - life cannot pause or stop- and sadly we grieve, we mourn, but our loved ones wouldn't want us to give up.
I see yellow butterflies, white butterflies, a monarch just today alone while sitting during my daughter's honor society ceremony so I know she's always with us.
We are blessed and I tell you this even after being homeless, bankrupt, and LT unemployed seeking employment and being declined for 10 yrs straight.
Why?
Because- my son and I nearly died upon his birth with a placental abruption and his vater syndrome diagnosis for life.
All my veins collapsed, my iron was extremely low, my 2 pint blood transfusion in ER was just the tip of the life saving measures to bring me back and save my son.
He was lifeflighted to NICU and I rode in ambulance for nearly 2 hrs to see him after emergency section.
Why?
Because life is not guaranteed. I witnessed newborns pass on the beds next to my son's nursery bed and I'll never get that image of the white sheet over the newborn and the parents grieving as my son fought like hell.
I'm now fighting COPD, asthma, chronic bronchitis, HUS (fatal blood disorder), severe anemia, heavy menses, vertigo, raynaud's ,severe spinal stenosis, and more -but I'm not alone.
Our loved ones are with us and you better believe they are not letting go!
Carry forth and prosper!
This book just shows how we are all God's children and we are all loved, protected, and serve a higher power.
Much love