The Mango Tree Contest
 THE
MOON IN THE MANGO TREE - CONTEST WINNER AND RUNNERS UP ANNOUNCED:
Your contest entries were moving and I would like to thank
everyone who entered for taking the time to write to me from
the heart. I just cannot tell you how difficult it was to
sort out the winners, but one thing I've seen from your entries
is this-you all have the spirit that makes this country great!
And how about this: as I write, it's the Fourth of July.
My husband, Jimmy, and I are on currently on a book tour
for The Moon in the Mango Tree. But we're taking a
break for this holiday weekend, which is the time I set aside
to read your entries and post the winners. For any of you
who might be interested, the booktour blog is posted on www.nola.com
and I think you can find it either by searching for Pamela
Ewen or under 'blogs' and 'Faulkner'. It's also on www.myspace.com/pamelaewen.
I have to say that you have all provided me with my own difficult
choices. Below are the winner and two runners up (I just could
not decide between the two so am bending the rules). The winner
will receive five signed copies of The Moon in the Mango Tree,
and each of the two runners up will receive one. If you
are a winner or runner up, please email to me your address,
stating your real name as given on your entry. If you'd like
a short special inscription, just state that in the email.
The email address is pamelaewen@bellsouth.net.
You'll receive the books in a few weeks, as soon as I return
from this booktour. I've also mentioned some other contest
participants below, because their choices were so brave and
life-changing. All of the entries mentioned below are attributed
either to your email name, or by initials in order to preserve
your privacy. If your entry is not mentioned, it's only because
there were so many and I found it so difficult to choose.
So, here we go:
WINNER: Rhotcat1. Rhocat1's choice is inspiring and
she and her husband are courageous and loving parents, giving
life to one wonderful little girl. Here is her entry:
"The hardest decision I have ever made was when I
was pregnant and due December 9, 2005. I was 5 months pregnant
and my water broke on August 6, 2005. The doctors said the
baby would be retarded, blind, or not survive. They said they
could induce labor but the baby would not survive. My husband
and I decided we had to give our little girl a chance at life.
A. G. was born August 19, 2005. She has been through several
surgeries. She has Stage 5 Retinopathy of Prematurity and
she is blind. She is an amazing little girl. A. is smart,
funny and feisty. She is my hero. She tackles any obstacle
put in her way. It can be hard and stressful at times, but
she is so worth it! I just hope we can continue to make the
right decisions regarding A. (So far, so good!)"
Rhotcat1 - You and your husband and little A.G. are very
special people.
RUNNERS UP:
J.P. "My mother, who was a nurse, was sick
and dying of cancer. This was 35 years ago, long before some
of the wonderful medical advances that we have today. She
kept asking for the green bottle. I didn't know what that
represented. My father told me that when she was in nursing
school, poison was kept in a green bottle.
I spent quite a bit of time with my mother while she was
dying. Unfortunately, there was no hospice care. Death still
remained a deep, dark secret. Anyhow, it turns out that my
mother, who very much enjoyed her life and lived it to the
fullest, asked my sister who was 19 at the time, my dad, and
I for the green bottle.
None of us gave it to her. I'm glad that we didn't. However,
I and my husband have living wills. I've had a wonderful life.
I have a wonderful life and continue to hope to have one.
I plan on a wonderful death. I don't believe in death since
I know that your spirit and soul live on forever.
Both my parents are passed on and yet they're with me
every day."
To JP: I agree-As I said in Faith On Trial, there
is more to life than we can see and feel and touch. And as
I said in The Moon in the Mango Tree, love like yours
for your family endures forever.
A.B.: "We met when he was a junior in high
school. He was looking forward to going to college. Then he
received his draft notice, decided to join up. While home
on leave we decided to elope, he was still looking forward
to college just put it on the back burner until he received
his honorable discharge. In the meantime, we found out we
were going to become parents so he gave up his dream of college
for a job to support a wife and child. This was a huge sacrifice
on his part for a college education was his dream. He is a
terrific fellow and soon he will be retired. I hope he will
enroll in our local university to pursue his dream at last."
To AB - Your husband sounds like a wonderful man, and he's
lucky to have you by his side!
In addition to the winners and runners up - several other
entries especially touched my heart.
To MHGB-You have great strength and courage, and yes believe
that life can begin again at 72, or at any other age, and
if anyone can do it - you can!
CC: It sounds to me like your choice was a wonderful gift!
I'm happy for you both.
BS: You took the gamble and won - good luck to you both.
Thanks everyone. I hope you all find the time to read The
Moon in the Mango Tree, and that you love my grandmother's
story!
Pamela
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