Organizing a book launch is a new and interesting experience. It’s an opportunity to tell many people about a book that I’m excited about.  The book is full of stories and poems from over 61  professional and gifted writers who write about their experiences as a grandmother or their memories of and experiences with their own grandmothers. You’ll laugh, cry, and be inspired by the stories within it.

The book also includes stories of grandmothers  from sub-Saharan Africa who are raising their orphaned grandchildren while watching their own adult children die of HIV/AIDS.  Sales of the book— in short, its profits—go to help these African grannies raise their grandchildren, to help them put food on the table, buy clothes and books, and help them pay school tuitions. Here  I also mention: Imagine raising children on your more limited retirement income, your pension.

It’s exciting to see the looks on people’s faces when I mention the name Stephen Lewis. People have come to know and respect the man for the work he’s doing.  One store owner said immediately,  “I’ll take six books to start with.”

When I talk about the project and the Grandmother to Grandmother organization, their mandate to work with the Foundation, and where the funds are going, those whom I am talking with get excited about that too.

After all, we grandmothers in North America can appreciate what it costs to raise children, since we’ve done that too. What we cannot fully realize is the heartbreak of these grannies who are losing adult children to HIV/ AIDS while raising their orphaned grandchildren.

If you’re already planning to come, that’s great. We’d love to see you in the audience.  Otherwise, if you happen to be in Kitchener the afternoon of May 1st,  stop by St. Philip’s Lutheran Church for our launch. The time is 2-4 pm. You’ll hear area authors read their selections from the anthology during the first hour. We’ll have books available for purchase, a time for author signing, as well as time to mingle with others over refreshments.

The book makes a great gift for Mother’s Day or any grandmother in your life. We hope to see you there.

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