title: Stick a Geranium in Your Hat and Be Happy
author/editor: Barbara Johnson
reviewed by: Pam

My book is called, Stick a Geranium in Your Hat and Be Happy by Barbara Johnson. I keep chuckling as I read it. She calls bumper stickers, bumper snickers. I think that's really cute, because that's exactly what they are!

The author started the SPATULA group for parents just discovering their children are gay and helping them to adjust. They called it SPATULA because the parents first have to be gently scraped off the walls and ceiling before they can get started.

Her life has not been easy. She has lost two sons, one in Viet Nam and one to a drunk driver. Her husband was in an accident and was not expected to ever think, walk or talk again but came through it all successfully. About that time one of the two remaining sons announced he was gay. Yet her attitude is one of joy and celebration.

She speaks all over the country. I'd love to hear her some time. I'm also going to look up her other two books, Where Does a Mother Go to Resign? and Fresh Elastic for Stretched Out Moms.

All through the Geranium book I'm reading, are little inspirational poems, sayings and humorous comments. For example, she calls the grieving process: Churning, Burning, Yearning, Learning and Turning. It is really cool.

I hope and pray you continue to have fun and make the most out of life. Take care and keep in touch.

Pam

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