James McBride is a story teller. This memoir reads as such; it's a tale of relationship set against the back drop of Harlem, the church, and racially divided America. The strokes of McBride's Black America were painted through the loving wisdom of his White mother -- an experience to which I can relate. McBride's story differs greatly from mine though. My mom grew up in an Evangelical Christian tradition while his mother was from an Orthodox Jewish family. However, if this book communicates anything, it is that God mysteriously transforms our seeming divisions into a glorious bond that not even death can destroy.
My mom is in Heaven today. Though my six brothers and sisters are scattered around the world, pursuing various endeavors, we ARE a family that will continue to walk the path to eternal life with Jesus Christ. Mom painfully blazed that trail for us, and her journey came to rest a year ago today.
Great idea to mark this day. I've just read this entry several months later (May 9) but I think Mom would like this way of remembering her.
ReplyDeleteThanks, it's a fascinating book. Have you read it?
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