Born in 1944 on the tail end of the second world war, Bernice Lucille White was faced with a difficult and complicated upbringing fraught with family issues and estrangement. Emotionally abandoned at a young age, she struggles with the complex role of being a wife and mother with no one else to rely on. Bernice’s story is one of triumph over the odds and happiness in the face of adversity.In this deeply moving and inspiring memoir, you’ll uncover a powerful tale of resilience and hope in spite of hardship. Written in a stark, down-to-earth style and offering a unique glimpse into life in small-town 20th-century America, A Self Portrait will resonate with anybody who has suffered through familial difficulties, estrangement, and poverty. This illuminating memoir will encourage readers from all walks of life to maintain their faith, face life’s challenges, and emerge victorious.
As I do know Bernice as she is a cousin (of sorts-her Aunt Marion was my stepmom) I confess that after all these years never knew her middle name nor her nickname! But Aunt Nelda n Uncle Kelly (as we were introduced to him by this name)I most certainly knew. As with the rest of the family tree.. I now know why my cousins Elma and Bernice seemed to always know just how to include me in lots of interactions whenever we stopped in to visit. They both seemed to have that innate esp knowledge as I was like a fish out of water even tho I had older siblings.! The sitting in the car behind the tavern was our socializing almost every weekend. Spent a lot of time knowing what the back side of Midland and Vic's taverns looked like. I was never privy to ALL the family secrets...but LeAnn (stepsister) did tell me that she knew there was underhandedness in family closet. I remember the time when we were at Gramma Nelly (how I knew Clara) and we met Jose...it was loud and boisterous.. Charisse has done a wonderful job here,pulling all the strings together to give her mom Bernice a voice of her own and I pray she has found some heart healing and closure and she can let her thoughts and feelings rest easy so while now in her golden years-she can be at ease with herself! Now, I guess I should ask Charisse to work with me for a book...man have I a story to tell! Aside from all the above, I liked the book and 5stars aren't enough!
I have known Bernice since we were kids, yet I didn’t know her. I was surprised at what all she went thru, things as a friend I did not know. I cried thru most of her story and could not put her story down till the end. She conquered and survived. Story well written.