Storm (Special Forces: Operation Alpha): A Linear Tactical Series Novel

I love when authors I follow put their heads together and come up with an awesome collaboration. When it is Janie Crouch, writing for Susan Stoker’s Special Forces: Operation Alpha series, I am in awe.

Janie Crouch, like Susan Stoker, writes about the men and women who dedicate their lives to serving their country. And while some would scoff and say that the genre these two wonderful ladies write is cliché and caters only to readers who live and breathe military, alpha men (and women) romances, I would beg to disagree.

These two ladies—if you, dear reader, take a chance and read their creations (and I beg you, please do), you would see that they have one thing in common, and that is showing us, behind the written words, how to become better persons in a world filled with angst.

They teach us how to stand up to, and for, those who can’t. They teach us how to fight against those who refuse to believe that we are important.

Read between the lines of their stories, and you will realize that they are, through characters both flawed and solid, the ammunition we might just be looking for, to know that no matter what we are facing, we are strong. That we can face everything life throws at us, that we just must believe.

A case in point is Storm, another slam-dunk to Janie Crouch’s Linear Tactical series. Take the lessons behind the words to heart, for yourself, or someone else you know who may need them.

Storm is about domestic abuse and one woman’s journey out of her abuser’s hold. It is about finding the courage to fight for survival. It is about learning to accept change in order to survive. It is finding the strength to believe in oneself and standing up for what is right. To live.

The National Coalition Against Domestic Violence’s Vision (NCADV) defines domestic violence as the willful intimidation, physical assault, battery, sexual assault, and/or other abusive behavior as part of a systematic pattern of power and control perpetrated by one intimate partner against another. It includes physical violence, sexual violence, psychological violence, and emotional abuse.

The NCADV explains that the frequency and severity of domestic violence can vary dramatically; however, the one constant component of domestic violence is one partner’s consistent efforts to maintain power and control over the other.

The NCADV further says that domestic violence is an epidemic affecting individuals in every community regardless of age, economic status, sexual orientation, gender, race, religion, or nationality.

“Domestic violence is often accompanied by emotionally abusive and controlling behavior that is only a fraction of a systematic pattern of dominance and control. Domestic violence can result in physical injury, psychological trauma, and in severe cases, even death. The devastating physical, emotional, and psychological consequences of domestic violence can cross generations and last a lifetime.”
~~ National Coalition Against Domestic Violence’s Vision

A recent study conducted by Amalesh Sharma and Sourav Bikash Borah on the impact of Covid-19 on domestic violence, published in the National Library of Medicine’s National Center for Biotechnology Information, cites that although countries across the world are battling Covid-19 by enacting measures to reduce the speed of transmission, multiple reports suggest that “such measures are increasing the incidence of domestic violence and not only in number but also in severity.”

“We find that layoffs, loss of income, extended domestic stays, and exposure to habits due to stay-at-home orders are driving up the incidence of domestic violence. Moreover, these domestic violence increases are driving economic and social crises due to the form and severity of the violence, the burden placed on government, a crisis of resources, and decreases in the productivity of workforces,” the study said.

The study concludes that domestic violence increase resulting from Covid-19 is an indirect driver of economic and social crises.

Sharma is an Assistant Professor of Marketing at the Mays Business School at Texas A&M University, while Borah is a scholar who has written a vast majority of topics for the Indian Institute of Management in Ahmedabad.

Regardless of whatever situation a victim of domestic abuse finds themselves in—be it the pandemic or other circumstances, there are, all over the world, ways to find help. Local self-help groups, toll-free hotlines, self-help books, online resources abound, including, of course, medical, spiritual, and psychiatric sources.

The best help for domestic abuse victims? In my personal opinion, we—their families, friends, colleagues—are the best people that they can run to, for as long as we understand that violence of any kind is, and should never, be acceptable, no matter what the circumstance may be. Especially now, during the pandemic.

It is for us to help empower and protect the victims of domestic violence, and lead them to the path of healing and recovery.

Learning how to defend oneself.

“It takes time to change the way we see ourselves. It takes time and conscious effort to undo years of conditioning. And that’s what has happened to you. Conditioning.”
~~Janie Crouch, Storm

In Storm, former Special Forces soldier turned rancher Noah Dempsey takes on the task of teaching Marilyn Ellis, a victim of domestic abuse, how to defend herself. He teaches her various techniques in self-defense, as well as how to get out of situations where she may find herself in the crosshairs of her abuser. With his help, Marilyn was able to take back the self-esteem that was stripped from her, allowing her to find herself worthy in all that matters, once more.

Merriam Webster Dictionary defines defense as “the capability of resisting an attack” or something used to protect yourself both physically and emotionally. Self-defense, however, is not about learning how to beat up your abuser, but rather how to become more cognizant of your environment and learn important skills that will allow you to protect yourself physically and mentally.

In most places, though, self-defense is still a foreign concept, especially in places where customs are dictated by a patriarchal society. Most often, the concept of self-defense is still met with skepticism and resistance for reasons such as:

Lack of knowledge and understanding on the benefits of knowing how to defend oneself.
Concern over legal issues and jail time in defending themselves.
The feeling of weakness, helplessness, and incapability of protecting themselves from what they perceive is a bigger threat.
The Guilt of defending themselves against their abuser, most often someone they love.
Believing they deserve the abuse.
Not wanting to use violence to fight violence.

Regardless, self-defense can decrease the risk of assault, especially in cases of rape. Victims who are educated, empowered, and aware of potential danger are more likely to prevent an attack or escape one.

For those who lack the understanding that they are victims of domestic violence, it is up to us to empower them into seeking the right path, and realizing that they, too, are worthy of living a life free from abuse.

“Progress isn’t always linear.” She didn’t realize she’d said the words out loud until he responded. “It’s jagged. One step forward, two dozen steps back. But it’s still progress.”
~~Janie Crouch, Storm

For anonymous, confidential help available 24/7, call the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 1-800-799-7233 (SAFE) or 1-800-787-3224 (TTY).

June 22, 2021 0

Storm (Special Forces: Operation Alpha): A Linear Tactical Series Novel

By Janie Crouch

Janie Crouch, like Susan Stoker, writes about the men and women who dedicate their lives to serving their country. And while some would scoff and say that the genre these two wonderful ladies write is cliché and caters only to readers who live and breathe military, alpha men (and women) romances, I would beg to disagree.

These two ladies—if you, dear reader, take a chance and read their creations (and I beg you, please do), you would see that they have one thing in common, and that is showing us, behind the written words, how to become better persons in a world filled with angst.

They teach us how to stand up to, and for, those who can’t. They teach us how to fight against those who refuse to believe that we are important.

Read between the lines of their stories, and you will realize that they are, through characters both flawed and solid, the ammunition we might just be looking for, to know that no matter what we are facing, we are strong. That we can face everything life throws at us, that we just must believe.

A case in point is Storm, another slam-dunk to Janie Crouch’s Linear Tactical series. Take the lessons behind the words to heart, for you, or someone else you know who may need them.

In Storm, Janie Crouch’s 10th book in her Linear Tactical series, we are introduced to Noah Dempsey, brother to Tanner Dempsey (from the author’s Risk Series: A Bree and Tanner Thriller) and cousin of Gavin Zimmerman (Redwood: Linear Tactical comes out January 2021).

Former Special Forces soldier Noah (Storm) is paired with Marilyn Ellis, mother of two precious kids, Sam, and Eva. Marilyn is a victim of domestic abuse of the worst kind—mentally, emotionally, and physically broken by a husband who turned out to be a sociopath.

Domestic abuse is never an easy subject, and this is true across cultures. In some patriarchal societies, women are still viewed as objects to be used and abused. Often women who are brave enough to admit that they are being abused are themselves shunned by their families, sometimes even by the society, they live in.

Like Marilyn, these women are conditioned to believe that they are less than—stupid, predictable, good for nothing but a means to vent someone else’s ire and perceived self-worth. Of course, let us acknowledge the fact that there are men out there who are also victims, but the fact remains that the number of women who suffer from domestic abuse is higher all over the world.

“It takes time to change the way we see ourselves. It takes time and conscious effort to undo years of conditioning. And that’s what has happened to you. Conditioning.”
~~ Storm, Janie Crouch

Most victims of domestic violence—often stripped of their self-worth—find it hard to accept the fact that they are victims. Years of conditioning and emotional trauma, especially when they are isolated from any form of help, reduce them to the belief that they deserve to become someone’s punching bag. Oftentimes they are conditioned to believe that they are the ones who had done wrong and must then accept the consequences of their mistakes.

Sadly, this type of thinking almost always ends in more violence, or even death.

The Arizona Coalition to End Sexual and Domestic Violence (ACESDV) is correct in saying that “when the general public thinks about domestic violence, they usually think in terms of physical assault that results in visible injuries to the victim.”

This is only one type of abuse. There are several categories of abusive behavior, ACESDV says, each of which has its devastating consequences. Lethality involved with physical abuse may place the victim at higher risk, but the long-term destruction of personhood that accompanies the other forms of abuse is significant and cannot be minimized.

These types of abuse include control, physical abuse, sexual abuse, emotional abuse & intimidation, isolation, verbal abuse such as coercion, threats, and blame, using male privilege, economic abuse, and stalking.

If you know or suspect that someone is a victim, please do not hesitate to speak up and let that person know that you are reaching out. Doing so might very well mean saving someone’s life.

How can you help?

Verywell Mind, an online resource partner of The Cleveland Clinic, gives nine tips that you can follow to help you support someone in an abusive relationship:

Make Time for Them If you decide to reach out to an abuse victim, do so during a time of calm. Getting involved when tempers are flaring can put you in danger. Also, make sure to set aside plenty of time in case the victim decides to open up. If the person decides to disclose years of pent-up fear and frustration, you will not want to end the conversation because you have another commitment.

Start a Conversation You can bring up the subject of domestic violence by saying “I’m worried about you because …..” or “I’m concerned about your safety…” or “I have noticed some changes that concern me…”

Maybe you’ve seen the person wearing clothing to cover up bruises or noticed that the person has suddenly become unusually quiet and withdrawn. Both can be signs of abuse.

Let the person know that you will be discreet about any information disclosed. Do not try to force the person to open up; let the conversation unfold at a comfortable pace.

Listen Without Judgment If the person does decide to talk, listen to the story without being judgmental, offering advice, or suggesting solutions. Chances are if you actively listen, the person will tell you exactly what they need. Just give the person the full opportunity to talk.

You can ask clarifying questions, but mainly just let the person vent their feelings and fears. You may be the first person in which the victim has confided.

Learn the Warning Signs Many people try to cover up the abuse for a variety of reasons, and learning the warning signs of domestic abuse can help you help them:

Physical Signs:

Black eyes
Busted lips
Red or purple marks on the neck
Sprained wrists
Bruises on the arms

Emotional Signs:

Low self-esteem
Overly apologetic or meek
Fearful
Changes in sleeping or eating patterns
Anxious or on edge
Substance abuse
Symptoms of depression
Loss of interest in once enjoyed activities and hobbies
Talking about suicide

Behavioral Signs:

Becoming withdrawn or distant
Canceling appointments or meetings at the last minute
Being late often
Excessive privacy concerning their personal life
Isolating themselves from friends and family

Believe the Victim Because domestic violence is more about control than anger, often the victim is the only one who sees the dark side of the perpetrator. Many times, others are shocked to learn that a person they know could commit violence.

Victims often feel that no one would believe them if they told people about the violence. Believe the victim’s story and say so. For a victim, finally having someone who knows the truth about their struggles can bring a sense of hope and relief.

Validate the Victim’s Feelings It’s not unusual for victims to express conflicting feelings about their partner and their situation. These feelings can range from guilt and anger, hope and despair, love, and fear.

If you want to help, you must validate their feelings by letting them know that having these conflicting thoughts is normal. But it is also important that you confirm that violence is not okay, and it isn’t normal to live in fear of being physically attacked.

Reasons Why Victims Stay It can be hard to understand why someone you care about would seemingly choose to stay in an abusive or unhealthy relationship. A few reasons why victims believe it’s not easy to part ways with their abuser include:

Fear of harm if they leave
They still love their partner and believe they will change
Their partner promised to change
A strong belief that marriage is “for better or worse”
Thinking the abuse is their fault
Staying for the children
Lack of self-confidence
Fear of isolation or loneliness
Pressure from family, community, or church
Lack of means (job, money, transportation) to survive on their own

Offer Specific Support Help the victim find support and resources. Look up telephone numbers for shelters, social services, attorneys, counselors, or support groups. If available, offer brochures or pamphlets about domestic violence. Let the person know they are not alone and help is available. Call your local suicide hotline for immediate assistance and a referral to nearby counseling services or support groups.

Help Form a Safety Plan

Help the victim create a safety plan that can be put into action if violence occurs again or if they decide to leave the situation. Just the exercise of making a plan can help them visualize which steps are needed and to prepare psychologically to do so.

“Progress isn’t always linear.” She didn’t realize she’d said the words out loud until he responded. “It’s jagged. One step forward, two dozen steps back. But it’s still progress.”
~~Janie Crouch, Storm

October 11, 2020 0

Baby: A Linear Tactical Romantic Suspense Standalone

By Janie Crouch

I have been waiting for Blake “Baby” Bollinger’s story for what felt literally like nine months, so when I saw that my Kindle finally seemed fit to alert me that Janie Crouch’s newest Linear Tactical Series offering finally came, I dropped everything and binge-read all 35 chapters in one sitting!

We get to meet Baby early in the series. Younger brother to Finn “Eagle” Bollinger, Baby was the easy-going brother, always there to diffuse a situation with a laugh. He comes across Quinn Harrison-Pritchard, Riley “Phoenix” Harrison’s sister, and falls for her, even though they are years apart—Quinn is 12 years his senior.

After having lost her job as a professor in Cambridge—her life upended by an unseen threat—Quinn leaves her life in Boston and decides to live near her brother, Phoenix. Her finances ruined, she applies as a waitress in Oak Creek, where she meets Baby, and realizes that she has a chance at happiness.

I won’t get into too many details. From here on out, I would encourage you to one-click Baby’s story. If you have been following Janie Crouch and haven’t picked this one up, please do so, as this is one good read you wouldn’t want to miss. If this is your first time to read a Linear Tactical novel, I would say go ahead and meet Baby, you won’t regret it!

Now. While Janie Crouch gave us a happy-go-lucky character in Baby, she also introduced us to the world of dyslexia and how, often, this reading disability can create havoc in one’s psyche.

The Mayo Clinic describes dyslexia as a learning disorder that involves difficulty reading due to problems identifying speech sounds and learning how they relate to letters and words (decoding). Also called reading disability, dyslexia affects areas of the brain that process language.

People with dyslexia have normal intelligence and usually have normal vision. Most children with dyslexia can succeed in school with tutoring or a specialized education program. Emotional support also plays an important role.

Though there’s no cure for dyslexia, early assessment and intervention result in the best outcome. Sometimes dyslexia goes undiagnosed for years and isn’t recognized until adulthood, but it’s never too late to seek help.

Although there is still no known cure for dyslexia, there are a variety of ways to help those who suffer from this learning disorder. It is important, also, to be aware of a child’s developmental age, so that if he or she does have dyslexia, it can be addressed at the soonest possible time.

It is also worth saying that we, as adults, must teach our kids to be mindful of their peers who suffer from dyslexia. Kids nowadays are very impressionable, and often repeat – and believe – what they see adults do, never minding if it is right or wrong.

In an era where, sadly, belief in social media reigns above facts and humanity, we must strive hard to educate our children to become empathetic towards those who struggle, especially those who struggle with learning disabilities.

For those of us who know someone with dyslexia, let us help them by encouraging them to find their hidden strengths. Instead of making them feel inadequate—for they do, deep inside—let us build them up, by understanding their need for our patience whenever they falter with tasks that are otherwise easy for us to do.

Besides, we may not know it, but that kid who is having difficulty concentrating on words? He or she may be the next Albert Einstein, Leonardo Sa Vinci, Whoopi Goldberg or Richard Branson, or any of the countless number of people who have risen above their learning disabilities.

Before we lose our patience with someone who is struggling to read or write, let us pause and find out why, and instead of ridiculing them, let us be their ally in coping with an uncertain world.

June 30, 2020 0

Phoenix (Linear Tactical #8)

by Janie Crouch

Phoenix, aka Riley Harrison aka Boy Riley, is an adrenaline junkie who is also an undercover operative for Linear Tactical.

Riley Wilde, aka Girl Riley, is a nurse, and the love of Boy Riley’s life.

If you are a fan of Janie Crouch and her Linear Tactical series, you would have come across this couple from the start. You would have seen how they were with each other, witnessed the love that radiates from them even when Boy Riley is out and about, participating in hair-raising stunts and sporting events.

You would have fallen in love with the two, but of course, Janie Crouch just has to make sure that Boy Riley would be participating in the race for his life, as he fights for his Wildfire.

“I’m probably going to end up in a wheelchair at some point. It might be twenty years away, but it might be twenty months.” That didn’t scare him a bit. “Either way, it doesn’t matter. You’re still going to be my Riley. My Wildfire. You’ll just come with a set of wheels.”
~~Janie Crouch, Phoenix

This story hit me on different fronts.

I was an adrenaline junkie, albeit not like Janie Crouch, who is an ultra-marathoner. Me, I love the outdoors. I loved going on hikes twice a month, I loved exploring uncharted cave systems. I loved meeting people in isolated places–places some forbade me and my team to visit because the area was either known as teeming with “antigovernmental” forces, or the people were simply too distrustful of outsiders.

I loved the outdoors, but one climb made me realize that I had to give it up, that my life is more important than the rush of exploring the unexplored areas of my beautiful country.

Today, ten years from my last adventure with nature, I am dealing with health issues, foremost of which is lumbar scoliosis and cervical radiculopathy, which has hampered my movements. Add to that is a diagnosis of fibromyalgia, and being placed on medication to ensure that I can still go about my work, and yes, I am scared.

Of course, fibromyalgia is different from multiple sclerosis, Wildfire’s–Girl Riley’s, cross to bear.

According to an article written by Jon Johnson for Medical News Today, Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a neurological condition. It causes the immune system to attack the central nervous system and damage the nerves’ protective coating, which is called myelin.

Fibromyalgia, on the other hand, is a complex condition that affects many of the body’s functions. The most telltale symptom is widespread pain and tenderness in the muscles and joints. Unlike MS, fibromyalgia is not an autoimmune disease.

Yes, fibromyalgia is not quite like MS, both can have life-altering effects on both the mind and body.

If I who suffer from fibromyalgia, suffer through days when getting up to go to work is in itself a very painful endeavor, what more for those who have MS?

I can still go to the office, even when my muscles feel so sore. Or when taking a bath feels like being hit with a thousand needles. Or when my bones feel so achy and cold.

For Wildfire? For those suffering from MS? I can imagine the fear and the helplessness, and yes, I can also say that it is unfair. What do we do? How do we cope?

“Sometimes the only thing we can do is stand next to them as they fight their own battles.”
~~Janie Crouch, Phoenix

I learned to adjust to my condition. I am strictly taking the medications prescribed to me by my doctor, but I must confess that I have yet to follow the biggest advice he gave me: change my lifestyle or look for an alternative means of livelihood.

How can I? I am a writer. Yes, writing–or typing–for long periods is, honestly, getting hard for me to do, but what can I do?

So, I cope. I take it one step at a time. I do my best to fight my own body’s weaknesses. Most of all, I read to get my mind off this ailment and to keep my mind sharp.

Because it was just all so goddamned unfair. She didn’t want this. She didn’t want to lose her abilities and independence. She was so terrified of what she might become.
~~Janie Crouch, Phoenix

What I am saying is, whatever ailment you have, be it fibromyalgia, MS, cancer, even depression or anxiety … give yourself the time and space to accept that you need help. Fortify your body, fortify your mind, but most of all, fortify your spirit.

Even if you find yourself fighting a battle alone, for as long as you have faith, you can get through anything that comes your way.

Because yes, everything is possible, and that, my friend, is what gets me through day after day.

March 19, 2020 0

Primal Instinct: A Thrilling FBI Romance

By Janie Crouch

FBI Agent Conner Perigo is tasked to bring in Adrienne Jeffries, who has an uncanny ability to get inside the minds of San Francisco’s most dangerous criminals. Reluctant, Adrienne agrees, and together they race against time to catch Simon Says, a serial killer who seems to be one step ahead of the FBI, kidnapping and killing his victims.

Unfortunately, Conner, through no fault of his own, seems to be blocking Adrienne’s gift, which becomes deadly when the killer gets a hold of Adrienne.

Having read the e-book a year ago, I was pleasantly surprised to learn that Janie Crouch also had an audiobook version, of Primal Instinct. I loved the story then, and I love it all the more now that I listened to the narration of Barbara Creel Benjamin, because she gave life—and justice—to an already awesome read!

November 19, 2019 0

Ghost (Linear Tactical #5)

By Janie Crouch

The ghost finds his wraith.

Five weeks of torture in Afghanistan broke Dorian “Ghost” Lindstrom.

Now in Wyoming, he is slowly putting his life back together, with help from his brothers at Linear Tactical.

An expert in survival techniques and self-defense, Ghost spends his days teaching survival skills to Linear Tactical’s clients, doing his best to forget the horrors of his forty-one days of captivity. Doing his best to survive, one day at a time, remembering the day the love of his life died.

Grace Brandt, aka Wraith, has stayed in the shadows. For six years she stayed hidden, but the secrets she keeps have now proven to be unbearable to keep. And so, out of the shadows, she rose from the dead to seek her Ghost.

Those of us following the men and women of Linear Tactical from the start have known and fallen in love with the reclusive, gentle giant known as Ghost. We knew he had issues—post-traumatic stress disorder, to be clinically correct, arising from his days in captivity.

We were prepared to read about how Dorian—Ghost—was able to fight his demons, but wow …

Grace Brandt, Wraith, Ray… the trauma this strong woman went through was short of unbelievable. Shocking, even, when you think about Jane Crouch putting her in the cross-hairs of a conspiracy so nefarious, so evil, but sadly, oddly, possible in today’s world, in more ways than one.

Again, I thank Janie Crouch for shining a light on this topic.

Yes, I might be laying it on thick, but post-traumatic stress disorder, or PTSD, is not specific to law enforcement. A child losing a beloved pet, physical abuse borne out of toxic relationships, bullying, any and everything that can cause mental and emotional distress can trigger PTSD.

How would you know if you, or someone you know, is going through PTSD?

PTSD, according to the Mayo Clinic, is a mental health condition that’s triggered by a terrifying event — either experiencing it or witnessing it. Symptoms may include flashbacks, nightmares, and severe anxiety, as well as uncontrollable thoughts about the event.

Most people who go through traumatic events may have temporary difficulty adjusting and coping, but with time and good self-care, they usually get better.

Although there is a lot of information about post-traumatic stress disorder, it is not enough to rely on online material about the topic. From stress, sleeplessness, and troubling dreams, to the need to isolate ones’ self from the outside world, or worse, having negative changes in thinking and erratic moods, it is not enough to have a textbook, clinical diagnosis. It is also not advisable to treat it on your own. Especially if thoughts of suicide are rearing their ugly head.

If you tell me that never in your life have you suffered from PTSD, then I applaud you for dodging the bullet. But please, if you, or anyone you know, have PTSD, please reach out. PTSD is not something to be ashamed of.

November 1, 2019 0

Getting to know Janie Crouch

USA TODAY bestselling author Janie Crouch writes what she loves to read: passionate romantic suspense. She has won or been nominated to romance literary awards including the Golden Quill Award for Best Romantic Suspense, the National Reader’s Choice Award, and the coveted RITA© Award by the Romance Writers of America.

Janie recently relocated with her husband and their four teenagers to Germany after living in Virginia for nearly 20 years. When she’s not listening to the voices in her head—and even when she is—she enjoys engaging in all sorts of crazy adventures (200-mile relay races; Ironman Triathlons, treks to Mt. Everest Base Camp) traveling, and movies of all kinds.

Angel: A Linear Tactical Romantic Suspense Standalone

Shunned by the town for committing a crime against one of their own and having the bad luck of being the daughter of the man who scammed half of the residents out of their retirement funds, Jordan Reiss returns to Oak Creek after six years of incarceration.

Former Navy SEAL Gabriel Collingwood, aka Angel, does not trust Jordan, fearing that she weaseled her way into a job at his sister’s new bakery. One incident changes his views, and he becomes her “guardian angel.”

Whoever had the misfortune of being in Jordan’s shoes would know the feeling of unworthiness and despair that she felt for being blamed for something someone else did, for knowing that she was hated for causing a chain of events she had no control of.

No matter what you do, even if you strive hard to do the right thing, biases and misconceptions born of years of thinking they were right to shun you—everything seems so hopeless.

In today’s world where it is so easy to jump to conclusions, where hate, bigotry, and racism is at an all time high, Janie Crouch reminds us to take a step back and say, enough is enough.

And what better way to do this than by looking at the world in the eyes of a child? Oh, you might argue, children don’t know anything, but that is just it! Children don’t know how to hate. They do not know how to look down on others. They do not look at the color of their playmate’s skin. They will ask, yes, for they are, and should be curious about the world around them. Who are we, really, to instill in them a fear of the unknown?

Like the song goes:

In the eyes of a child there is joy, there is laughter
There is hope, there is trust, a chance to shape the future
For the lessons of life there is no better teacher
Than the look in the eyes of a child
--Air Supply

We can only be their guiding light. And, I hope, the light that we shine upon our kids is one that is filled with hope, joy, and laughter, because, the world we are in right now? We need our children’s light to glow for them to survive.

Just like the Archangel Gabriel is the guardian of truth, often depicted with a white lily in his hands which is a symbol of purity and truth…the Archangel Gabriel leads us with tenderness and loving words to awaken our inner child.

In the story, it was Gabe who eventually brought the truth to light in Jordan’s case.

Here’s hoping that Janie Crouch has, in her own way, given each one of us, her readers, hope that our guardian angel is walking among us.

Or, maybe, it is her reminder that we can be the guardian angel to others.

November 1, 2019 0