Courage (Page 6)

“Sometimes you have to give a little push, one way or the other, to get past the depression, low self-esteem, unhealthy relationships, procrastination, or whatever is holding you back from living your best life.” ~~ Mary Morrison

Mary Morrison was an adventurous young woman who dreamed of traveling to exotic places to help the poor. She was, in 1961, fascinated by John F. Kennedy’s Peace Corps. Thus, during her teen years she traveled with streams of her peers from Europe to India. When she entered college in Southern California, the world was shifting into the women’s liberation movement. Morrison saw herself as a flower child. She made her own love beads, used a little pot, and demonstrated against the Vietnam war. She also was all about peace and love on Earth Day.

Then one day the cute guy she loved proposed and she accepted. Joyfully, they married, and soon welcomed their son, Matthew. As Morrison transformed into family, work, and work commitments, her earlier travel dreams slipped away.

Morrison’s story opens at mid-life after losing her job in the Great Recession, then lost her husband and other losses. Yet, she honors her son Matthew’s achievements – “…a college dropout garnering Tony, Golden Globe, and Emmy nominations for his work.” As Matthew was living his dream, Morrison took a hard look at her own life. She was on unemployment, single again, and had no dreams in sight.

In time, Morrison revisits her youthful dreams and muses about returning to a Third World country as a volunteer teacher. But is she too old now? And, then what if she gets sick? What if the living conditions are horrific? Along with many other questions she would not be able to answer until she decided to return to Africa. There, she learns those answers and so much more. Morrison’s safari is, indeed, a beautiful, courageous, and fascinating adventure that opens the door to lost dreams. And finding the lioness within.

I treasured this story throughout as Morrison persisted courageously in the face of very difficult challenges. Her hard-won wisdom was a pleasure to share as each step gradually evolved on her journey. Her easy, candid voice evoked a sense of warm companionship. If you enjoy memoirs that show a woman seeking her best life, I highly recommend Looking for the Lioness. This memoir is the author’s first book. And, please know that the final three words in the last chapter are: “…to be continued.”

Author Mary Morrison got the travel bug early. She haunted the travel section of her local public library in California. She also wrote to the New Zealand consulate at age 12 to ask about immigrating there. They sent her a poster, which stayed on her bedroom wall for several years. She has traveled to over 100 countries seeking connection to people and places. She currently lives in the beautiful Blue Ridge mountains of Western North Carolina. Yet she travels often to volunteer and enjoy new people and experiences. On her website, www.footloosemary.com, Morrison self-describes as “a serial volunteer around the world.”

Author’s note: this review first appeared on Story Circle Network’s Award-Winning Book Review site in July, 2020.