Böcker av Gladys Seedorf

This biography was written at the request of Darrington Louis Eugene Lovelace two days before his death. Not only was it a humbling experience, but also a great honor and privilege to write about someone so young and full of probity, courage, and most of all, infinite love. Like anyone else, he wanted to live a long life, but because of his illness, he realized that his life was rapidly slipping away, somewhat like sand flowing through an hourglass.Darrington was very passionate about all of his interests and he wanted others to feel that same zeal. He loved to sing, dance, act and sew and even more, he yearned for higher education. He loved life and he used every opportunity to absorb every minute of it. Not one breath of his life was wasted. Not only have many people been deeply touched but even more, have actually benefitted from his life. For those who didn't have the pleasure of meeting Darrington he wanted his life story to be readily available for them to read and learn of his very extraordinary and awesome legacy. Obviously he felt that there was a lot more that he wanted to accomplish on this side of heaven but he resolved that God knew what was best for his life."This beautiful book is unlike any other personal account of living with cancer disease that I have ever read. An invaluable, compassionate, and spiritual harvest of redemptive insights that will both excite and challenge the reader. This is a remarkable book, not only written skillfully but with a rare mix of loving attention, spiritual and practical wisdom, and a deep sense that we are all taking the journey to our next life together. I stand in awe of Gladys' honesty, determination, courage, and the majesty of her loving, not just of her nephew Darrington, but of life, and of hard-won integrity. I also stand in awe of her gentle voice as both writer and Social Worker to the dying. This affirming message of hope and healing is a MUST read, ... a gem to be treasured."

Joe frequently exhibited severe mood swings, bouts of paranoia, narcissistic and antisocial behaviors, depression, anxiety, agitation, and even perhaps a degree of Schizophrenia. Because he had such a plethora of mental illnesses, he undoubtedly had an awful time trying to maneuver through life. Nevertheless, he functioned as best he could, based on the hand of life that was dealt to him. Naturally, he felt more comfortable being alone because he appeared to be more content and less agitated. He worked hard to avoid a lot of stimulation, large crowds, etc. Of course, he would never admit that he had a problem or take medication for it and like most people, he swore that everyone else had the problem. Although Joe struggled, he did the best he could to play the hand that life dealt to him. He was a poor, black, and uneducated man with a host of mental health issues that prevented him from being the supportive father and spouse that he wanted to be. As he aged his illnesses grew worse as well as his relationship with his family who loved him dearly. Unfortunately, Joe became a ward of the state and eventually died alone in a skilled nursing facility. Bittersweet is a story about the effects of mental health that involve not only the individual but his family members who unfortunately became entangled in the tentacles of circumstance. In an attempt to endure Joe's illness, the family used a combination of patience, suffering, humor, and tears to create somewhat of a mental raft to guide them through what felt like very deep and treacherous waves. Bittersweet not only paints a vivid picture of mental illness but most important, unveils the many hidden layers and breaks the silence so that help can be obtained. Mental illness knows no boundaries and affects those from all walks of life regardless of race, creed, or socioeconomic status.