A Heart Wrenching Story of A Mother's Love
Although only a few readers will have experienced the ongoing traumatic trials experienced by Brenda Rhodes in her story: "Someone's Son: A Mother's Fight for Her Gay, Drug Addicted Son" most of us will be able to identify with Brenda's helplessness, uncertainty, and the need to turn to God for strength, comfort and leading in face of our individual testing.
Brenda's childhood was a roller coaster of ups and downs as her parents tried to work out her mother's deep emotional problems and her father's attraction to other women, Brenda became angry with God when her father died of a brain tumor at 59 years old. She lived in a state of rebellion against God for the next 23 years.
Three broken marriages later, Brenda continued to work at creating a healthy home environment by doubling her efforts to fill the role of dual parenting in her single parent status.
Even with all of the difficulties during these early years Brenda was unprepared for the unexpected announcement her 26 year old son Ronal Paul made when he revealed that he was gay. Later he became addicted to drugs, and was infected with AIDS.
Rhodes writes of her personal suffering as she fights to maintain a relationship with her family and son as he becomes more demanding, self centered, and belligerent as a result of the drug abuse.
Her story will touch your heart, inspire your faith, and introduce a new awareness of the struggle and serious issues involved when sexual abuse robs a child of their innocence. Ronal Paul carried the burden of his abuse under threat from the predator and as an adult became addicted to sex and drugs in an effort to fill the void left through the absence of a father in the home.
Although I sometimes found it difficult to follow the timeline of the story because of fragments, back stories and incidents introduced out of sequence, I found I was entranced with Brenda's account, felt an empathy, cried with her at times, felt anger and confusion with her at other times, and was deeply moved as she related her experience of returning to the Lord at the lowest point in her life of overwhelming crisis.
"Someone's Son: A Mother's Fight for Her Gay, Drug Addicted Son" is a timely and important story. Heartwarming, inspirational, and informative.
I received a complimentary copy of this book for review purposes with no obligation to post a positive review.
WinePress Publishing, 978-1606150177
As Reviewed for Midwest Book Review
Richard R. Blake, Christian Education Consultant, Freelance Writer, Editorial Consultant
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