5.0 out of 5 stars Hope Within Darkest Hours, September 13, 2013
By Sharla (Georgia) - See all my reviews
This review is from: Reflections of Mamie - A Story of Survival (Paperback)
Reflections of Mamie is certainly sub-titled appropriately as 'a story of survival'... more than that it is a story of hope, hope within the most adverse of situations. From the age of four to fifty-two, the cries of both child and adult, inward and outward, never lost sight of her love for her mother, even when that mother was the reason for all the turmoil. Hopes and dreams to feel the warmth of arms offering comfort, the brush of a tear proposing forgiveness and the emotion of hearing the words "I love you" kept spirits alive. Dreaming, expressions of desire, however, brought along with them a price, a very high price of depravity, physical and mental abuse. The harder Mamie tried and the better she became only added fuel to a never ending smoldering fire that fed on belittlement and infliction of pain.

Many reflections within Mamie's story took me by surprise as to how it is even possible for a mother to inflict such pain without any sense of remorse. Then, there were moments when I smiled and even laughed at Mamie's escapades of intended escape. Throughout it all, good and bad, hope never waned!

It is most important for all readers to know that this is a true story not something fabricated within a world of anyone's imagination and it took immeasurable courage for Rosemary "Mamie" Adkins to relive such experiences in order to pen her story. To open doors closed for years, perhaps decades, within the attics of her mind released screams long, long ago hidden away but never truly forgotten. One might question "Why?" Why bring into the light life experiences that are best left in darkness - concealed, buried, secreted? This question is best answered by Mamie herself. I highly recommend reading the Reflections of Mamie by Rosemary "Mamie" Adkins.

A Triumph for Mamie!

"Reflections of Mamie" is the story of a young girl who spends her entire life searching . . . no, pleading for her mother's love and approval, but instead receives only physical, mental, and emotional abuse in return. Yes, Mamie's mother, a woman of high standards, and an even higher opinion of herself, engages her twisted mind and self-justifying ways to make little Mamie's life a living hell.
However, Mamie is not about to be so easily broken and finds escape in the serenity and solitude of the beach and the call of the moving surf. And when such excursions are not available, she finds comfort in imaginary friends, who support her through the most unbearable times. And, of course, there is a blocking out mechanism that shelters Mamie enough to temporarily deliver her into a void of internal safety.
Nevertheless, this unsettling tale is more a story of hope as Mamie's fighting spirit leaves the reader in awe at the young girl who comes to life on the tear-stained pages. True, it was a painstaking, difficult endeavor for the author to write such a revealing and personal story, but Rosemary Adkin's intention is to try to help any other unfortunate soul whose childhood lacked the common and inherent love of a caring and decent mother. It is more than commendable that our Mamie seeks the higher ground of her childhood dilemma by proving to others that they still have a chance for love and happiness in a sometimes callous and uncertain world.
Indeed, it is perplexing that a mother could maltreat such a needy and devoted child as Mamie. But, then again, certainly a dark heart is difficult to illuminate . . . even by the wonderful radiance of one's own little girl. For shame!
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Reflections of Mamie is a candid memoir of how a woman reclaimed her life after surviving a childhood of physical and emotional abuse. This is a heart wrenching, but important topic, and I applaud Rosemary "Mamie" Adkins for revealing her story. Others who have suffered from mistreatment as a child will find hope and clarity on these well-written pages. Those who have not experienced child abuse will begin to understand the horrific impact it has on the human spirit. Maime rises above a painful past to create a fulfilling life. I found "Reflections of Maime" to be a honest, riveting story of one woman's resilience and fortitude. A must read!

When I started reading Reflections of Mamie - A Story of Survival I wondered what kind of book it would be. Sad? Depressing? Uplifting? Educational? The truth is that it's all of those things.

We've all heard stories about child abuse, most of which seem to focus on specific horrific incidents. Rosemary ("Mamie") Adkins' book does describe the abuse she suffered; however, it also tells the story of the effects of this continuous mistreatment - both physical and emotional - throughout her life. The result is a compelling and deeply personal story, written as if told by a friend.

What I liked best about the story was Mamie's ability to bounce back. No matter how bad her life became, she eventually recovered and never gave up on her dreams. Although Mamie continuously sought love and acceptance from her abusive mother, she still managed to develop and maintain lasting friendships and find ways to get the approval she so desperately needed from others. She made the best of her life and moved forward - damaged but determined.

Early in the book Mamie gives startling statistics about the prevalence of child abuse and neglect (provided by Dreamcatchers, a charitable organization for abuse victims which she supports - http://dreamcatchersforabusedchildren.com/) If you read that section first, you'll have an even greater appreciation of the importance of Mamie's book. Thank you, Mamie, for reliving and sharing your painful memories so that others will have hope that they too can survive and even thrive, just as you have done.

Reflection of Mamie, December 5, 2013
By Clayton Bye "Author and provides Writing Serv... (Kenora, On, Canada)

ISBN: 978-1-938686-53-5
Hard Cover
286 pages
Memoir

Reflections of Mamie is a book you cannot read without being touched. Whether it be the gratitude shown so clearly to many of us in her life or the support of such important charities as DREAM CATCHERS for ABUSED CHILDREN or the moment when she reveals that her mother used to beat her with a coat hanger until the flesh was ripped from her tiny body, Mamie takes our hand and guides us through her life, her dreams and her hopes until we finally see her for the vibrant survivor she is.

A member of my family bought Mamie's book and declared it to be the best book she/he had ever read.

"What was it to me?" I asked myself.

The answer is not simple. I admire Mamie greatly—for the strength of spirit she showed by writing a book about the private details of a life where the abuse never really ended until the day her mother died, when Mamie was a grown woman still looking for a simple "I love you." she never did get. I treasure her capacity to make friends and forge unusually strong bonds, something you can see developing as you read the book. And I love her for her ability to hold her dreams and her hopes close, to never let go of them in the face of tremendous adversity, both as a child and now as a mature woman. Mamie is a light for other victims and a teacher for those of us who will never know the kind of suffering she writes about in her memoir.

If I had to guess, I would say that Reflections of Mamie is garnering so many accolades because there is no guile in her writing. This book is an honest account of a child who should have been left irreparable but who refused to give up and who learned, as an adult, to trust and to love far more deeply than most of us.

Read it yourself...

"Reflections of Mamie: A Story of Survival"
It has been my overwhelming pleasure to read and experience Reflections of Mamie. What a tragic childhood the author experienced. I felt, the whole time I was reading the first portion, that I wanted to just be there to protect little Mamie. Just to hug her and tell her she is loved. The author paints incredibly detailed scenes that quickly transported me there by her side. This is a book that makes you open your heart and see how wonderful life can eventually be, and how we can rise above anything. After reading I cannot help but apply Mamie's wisdom to my own life and family history of abuse and about how we can all leave the garbage-of-our-pasts behind, and move forward. I have and will continue to share my experiences after reading this book and my strong recommendation to anyone to enjoy this journey with Mamie.
Michael F. Federal Way, WA

"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.

Martha Love,
Author of "What's Behind Your Belly Button?: A Psychological Perspective of the Intelligence of Human Nature and Gut Instinct

Reflections of Mamie
A Story of Survival by Rosemary "Mamie" Adkins

As a book reviewer, I've had the pleasure of reading many memoirs. Few have touched me with the purity of heart and soul presented by author Rosemary Adkins on the reflections of her life.

Author,"Mamie" narrates her memoir in such a way that it causes one to feel as if sharing a cup of tea and cookies with her, spellbound by the brutal honesty and innocence of a beautiful little girl. This sweet four-year-old child relates her lack of motherly love, and harsh physical and emotional abuse in heartbreaking renditions of her family life. Her quiet, pleasant father does not or will not stand up to his maniacal wife. One wonders if he's truly aware of what goes on during his long hours at work, or if he chooses to look the other way. Her older brother, Herb, is abused as well and does his best to protect his little sister, while the youngest son,J.Watson, is oddly doted upon by their strange and unpredictable mother.

Mamie talks directly to those reading her book, enveloping and including them into the sordid world of her youth. She has an endearing, chatty way of making one part of her world, clinging to her every word.

This precocious child as she grows up, gains an inner solid strength that makes her life bearable, even capable of holding on to hope . . . hope leading her to one day finding the love she was denied as a child. The road is long, full of trials, bumps and disappointments. The wounds are deep, causing ailments both physical and emotional. Mamie only grows stronger -- becoming the antithesis of the one who refused to give her love -- her own mother. In doing so she becomes the type of mother she herself so needed. This story is not a downer, due to the author's innate sense of humor and the light that she continually reaches for at the end of the tunnel.

This is one story that any reader interested in the survival of the abuses to the heart and spirit, will not want to miss. Will Mamie be able to hang onto her indomitable strength and spirit, or like so many others suffering abuse, will she slide back into a life of victimization?

The book has the added attraction of pictures of Mamie and members of her family which offers an even more visual closeness to her readers. If rated by deserved stars,they would shower from the sky like diamonds.

Micki Peluso, writer, journalist and author of . . . And the Whippoorwill Sang

This review is from: Reflections of Mamie - A Story of Survival (Hardcover)
This is a fine book, easy to read and uplifting from someone who has had a difficult time and made the best of it. It's alot like Mommie Dearest but not as scary or dark. If you like human interest stories, this is right up your alley. I certainly enjoyed it.

It is said "where there is no vision the people perish." Rosemary "Mamie" Adkins has rightly said she is a `dreamer' and her dreams and visions reveal how much hope can come from what may seem to be the most hopeless of situations. In her book Reflections of Mamie she details the horror of being raised in a home without love as she speaks of the abuse that she experienced. Sadly, there is no doubt that her story has been seen in other families, and I would recommend this book to those who are seeking to know the answers from those trials of life.

Rosemary speaks quite frankly about how she felt within herself as a young child seeking to cope with both the emotional and physical scars of life that no one should have to endure at such a young age. She also details the way she discovered help from her `special friends' who were there when she needed them. Today, as an adult, Rosemary "Mamie" Adkins blossoms as she pursues her goals in life by keeping her dreams and visions alive.

Jon Magee, author of From Barren Rocks to Living Stones & Paradise Island, Heavenly Journey