reviewed by Tannia Ortiz-Lopès
In her latest book, Journeys, author Celia A. Leaman takes us on an odyssey of emotions while she shares seven well-crafted, profound, and intimate stories based on real life events laced with a touch of fantasy. Contrary to her other two fiction books Who is Margaret, What is she? and Island Stories, this book is not written to entertain, but rather to make the reader meditate on concepts such as true love, happiness, personal rebirth, and the pros and cons of a provocative, young-old relationship. Each story dares you to identify yourself with the events before pointing your finger and casting your judgment.
The first story, “It’s Friday, but Sunday’s Coming,” is the love story of Leith and Ryan: two wounded souls coming from long-term failed relationships and on their paths to recovery. Leith finds herself single again after her husband decides, out of the blue, that he wants to divorce Leith and forget their fourteen years of marriage. Ryan, on the other hand, gets dumped by his girlfriend because their relationship has become “boring”. Leith decides to start fresh and buys a small house on the east coast of Vancouver Island. One day while at Wickaninnish Beach, she finds Ryan, the son of her new friend, Josie. They walk and talk for several hours and agree to have a date the following week. Leith, however, has some doubts about her feelings for Ryan and phones her best friend, Sara, to talk about it. Leith is well aware of their age differences and wants to stop any potential involvement with Ryan, who is a real gentleman and truly cares for her. The story takes us inside Leith’s mind and her doubts; the dilemma over Ryan’s youth vs. Josie and Sara’s words of encouragement and counsel. This story is charming, inspiring, and gives us an inside look at the dynamics of an old-young love relationship.
The second story, “No More Regrets,” is a story of repentance, reconcilation, and acceptance. Lindsay’s parents are getting a divorce and she is rebellious about it. Her mom is an alcoholic and her dad got his secretary, Charlotte, pregnant and now wants to marry her. Lindsay feels betrayed by her father and at a loss to deal with her mother’s drinking problems. Lindsay’s world is turned upside down after one heart-to-heart conversation with her father and a change of attitude from her mother. However, at the end, love conquers all and on Christmas Day, Lindsay receives the best gift of all!
The third story, “Ophelia’s Love,” is a tender short story about Ophelia, a woman who loved a lot but didn’t know her self-worth. However, after the death of her dog, Ben, she finds comfort in the words of encouragement and the arms of a stranger who gives her strength in her weakest moments. This story teaches us a lesson about self-worth and trust.
The fourth story, “Angels Along the Way,” is about an earthly angel named “Aunty Joan” who teaches the narrator how to value her life’s achievements based on the ways she genuinely gave her time and attention to others. We all have angels to accompany us on our life journeys and it is oten not until they leave us that we can see their wings!
The fifth story, “Second Chances,” is about Susan, Bernie, and Robbie. Susan is getting ready to marry Bernie when she starts having second thoughts about it. She tries to rationalize her decision but none of her reasons satisfy her. In order to clear her mind, she takes a walkthrough town and ends up in front of the church door. She decides to go inside and notices the light is on and the organ is open. Her mind wonders and she remembers those years when she played the organ… Then from the darkness, appears Robbie, Susan’s true love! The story builds up to Susan’s decision, “should she marry Bernie or should she say good-bye forever to her true love, Robbie.”
The sixth story, “Lucky Duck,” takes us to a world of deception, greed, truth, and conviction. Karly’s son, Winston,saves “Lucky Duck” from dying and they become best friends after that. Then one day a double tragedy occurs which changs the life of Karly, Winston, Lucky Duck, Graham, the Royston, as well as the future of an entire rural community. Lucky Duck teaches us a lesson of true love, friendship, and loyalty. This story challenges us to trust and believe in the power of truth and good over evil!
The last story, “Endings are Just Beginnings,” is about Sylvia and her family, Cathy and Joe. Sylvia and Joe are sibblings and have always had a close relationship. Then Joe meets Cathy and things change. Sylvia is very jealous of Cathy and during one family gathering, after too much alcohol comsumption, Sylvia lets her tongue go wild and causes a breakup in her relationship with Joe. One day during a family trip, Sylvia finds her way back to heal the wound of her words and be close again to her brother, Joe. The end of this story gives a new meaning to the phrase “Born again.”
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