The Sweet By and By
Jan 2, 2011
The Sweet By and ByAuthor: Todd Johnson
Publisher: HarperCollins
Publication Date: March, 2010
ISBN: 9780061579516
This is a lovely sweet book that demonstrates growing old doesn’t mean you grow useless and lose personality.
The story revolves around a senior center where Margaret and Bernice live. Margaret has her senses, but bad hips. Bernice is mobile, but her mind wanders erratically. They live across the hall from each other and each helps, protects and encourages the other in various ways. They’re a team.
Rhonda, a beautician who needs a little bit more income than she currently has reluctantly takes a side job at the senior home and comes in to do hair once a week. What starts as an unwanted career move slowly gains meaning and purpose as Rhonda grows to cherish these ladies and confides in them her fears and secrets.
Lorraine is a nurse at the home who also takes special interest in these ladies while assisting her daughter, April, to achieve her goal to become a female, black doctor. While Lorraine stands behind her daughter, she doesn’t quite believe it to be an achievable goal.
The book stretches through the years and shows the lovely bond these women all share and how their lives intertwine with each other. The point of this story is that sharing, caring and friendship can occur between all races and ages and that love truly can overcome all boundaries.
Definitely a feel good book - one that makes you think a little too.
