Review by Crystal J. Casavant-Otto
With things being what they are right now and all the negativity in the world, I found Wave Rider to be a safe haven. Rebecca Fitton put into words some of the emotions I am currently feeling or have felt during my life thus far. The beautiful way Fitton describes her journey speaks to so many of us who have struggled in one way or another. It is an intimate story and I appreciate Fitton's ability to not only share her story but to find her joy.
I particularly enjoyed page 23 and a poem titled:
Student
I walk into class
a place, a space so familiar.
I have been here before
in this body, in this lifetime
to learn, to experience, to be.
But today is different.
The space I hold has expanded.
My energy has grounded
into the center of Mother Earth.
My feet connect with her heart.
My heart connects with everyone in the room.
Mine is an intentional journey of self-healing.
I feel a stillness that I have never known
a sense of comfort in my body.
The student is becoming the wise one
and I am joyful.
As a mother, this poem spoke to me. I want to help my children feel this grounding,m this connection, and this joy every time they enter a classroom. They may not be healing from abuse, but children struggle with their own issues of self-image, self-esteem, belonging, etc... and Fitton did such a lovely job bringing this to life for me. I could really have chosen most any poem from Wave Rider as I find myself drawn back to it again and again to read her touching and poetic words. I love memoir and I love poetry, it was a pleasure to see them expertly combined in this beautiful book.
Genre
Spiritual Memoir / Poetry
Amazon Link
Goodreads Link
About
Wave Rider is a poetic reflection of author Rebecca Fitton’s long journey to heal from sexual abuse, abandonment, and neglect, building a new world based on wholeness of body, mind, and spirit. Her journey has taken a lifetime. To use the metaphor of waves, sometimes the undertow nearly drowned her—but she survived. Now her beautiful and profound book offers inspiration to others who have also suffered greatly from abuse.
Praise
"Rebecca’s journey, delightfully presented through her sacred poetry, resonates with an archetypal journey shared by many. The intimacy of her sharing and beautifully aligned prose guides us into a state of consciousness where peace can be found. Her book is a delicious delving into the sacredness of individuation." —Melissa Pickett
"It is said that the longest journey begins with the first step. Truthfully, something precedes the first step: saying “yes” to the journey. In her book of poems, Rebecca invites us into her journey—one that says a resounding “yes” to life and an emphatic “no” to abuse. Her voice found through poetry, Rebecca speaks with courage, determination, and delight. My life-journey is the richer after reading her poems." —Paul Chitwood, L.M.T.
"I have been reading Rebecca’s poetry for a few years now. Her choice of words in describing deep emotions, life’s challenges, and pivotal awareness-evoking experiences creates for me a rich and expansive tapestry of multidimensional memories, feelings, and a desire to explore further within myself issues and life mysteries raised by her poetry." —Emily M. Smith
Rebecca Pott Fitton explored different places and professional work. She grew up in Delaware and went to college in upstate New York. After graduating from Keuka College, she earned an M.A. in international relations at the University of Delaware. Then she headed to Michigan for careers in urban planning and health-care administration and an MBA from the University of Detroit. She continued working in health care in Ohio and retired as president of CareView Home Health in Middletown, Ohio. Retirement can be a busy time. Fitton brought her business acumen to service on five nonprofit boards. After her husband, Richard, died, she realized that the time had come to remake herself. As the lyrics of the song go, “I’d built a life wrapped so tight it was strangling me.” Freedom was a spirit call from Santa Fe, New Mexico.
Thank you to WOW! Women on Writing for allowing me an opportunity to participate in this book blog tour!
Be sure to check out some of the future blog stops on this tour:
Feb 3 @ Sioux’s Page
Sioux reviews Wave Rider by Rebecca Fitton. Stop at Sioux's Page to learn moare about Rebecca and this touching and poetic journey from abuse to wholeness.
http://siouxspage.blogspot.com/
Feb 6 @ Bring on Lemons with Penny Harrison
Wisconsin business owner and avid reader Penny Harrison shares her thoughts and feelings about the poetic journey of Rebecca Fitton.
http://bringonlemons.blogspot.com/
Feb 7 @ Deb Blanchard
Teacher Deb Blanchard gives insight into Wave Rider the touching story of Rebecca Fitton and her poetic journey from abuse to wholeness
https://www.facebook.com/Reviews-by-Deb-1737715249887520/
Feb 8 @ Bring on Lemons with Michelle DelPonte
Michelle DelPonte shares her review of Rebecca Fitton's Wave Rider today at Bring on Lemons. Don't miss this exciting blog stop and book giveaway.
http://bringonlemons.blogspot.com/
Feb 9 @ Writer’s Pay it Forward with MC Simon
MC Simon reviews Wave Rider by Rebecca Fitton for readers at Writers Pay it Forward. Don't miss this honest review of this touching and poetic journey.
http://writerspayitforward.com/
Feb 10 @ Book Santa Fe with Tange Dudet
Avid reader and book enthusiast Tange Dudet shares her thoughts and feelings after reading the touching and poetic journey of Rebecca Fitton as she went from a life of abuse to wholeness.
http://www.booksantafe.info/
Feb 13 @ Bring on Lemons with Cindi Ashbeck
Cindi Ashbeck shares her thoughts and feelings after reading the moving story Wave Rider by Rebecca Fitton.
http://bringonlemons.blogspot.com/
Feb 14 @ Bring on Lemons with Tara Forst
Wisconsin mom, foster mom, wife, babywearing enthusiast, and business owner Tara Forst reads and review Wave Rider by Rebecca Fitton.
http://bringonlemons.blogspot.com/
Feb 15 @ The Constant Story with David W. Berner
Author and radio personality David W Berner reviews Rebecca Fitton’s book Wave Rider and shares his thoughts with readers at The Constant Story.
http://davidwberner.blogspot.com/
Please feel free to leave a comment or ask a question - it's great hearing from YOU!
Crystal, I am so very moved by your comments above which you also posted on Amazon. You are correct that many of my poems do not relate to abuse but reflect my journey. And we all are on a journey, if we know it or not. Rebecca
ReplyDeleteThis is a lovely review, Crystal. It not only helps me understand the book but also lets me know a little more about you. In this age when we are reaching out to each other across the internet, we need all the authentic books, memoirs, poetry, and blogs we can get to help feel each other's courage and support.
ReplyDeleteJerry Waxler
Author of Memoir Revolution