A Petite Memoir
Date Published: 06-04-2021
Publisher: Equal Age
At 31 years of age, Claire Ishi Ayetoro has lived enough lives to fill an ensemble cast. In this, her first memoir, no topic is off-limits as she paints portrait after portrait of her triumphs and her battles with bipolar disorder, religiosity, and that ever elusive cure-all: love. A vividly compassionate depiction of psychosis, Ayetoro weaves words of wisdom, encouragement, and inspiration into every layer of her storytelling. Journey with her through the mountains and valleys of manic depression, guided by that singular spirit of flight: the black raven. You never know, it may even be calling to you.
Excerpt
I had come to the end of my days at university. I finally
graduated and earned my bachelor’s degree in engineering. Such a weight had
been lifted. I had already arranged my job situation, so I did not worry about
being out of work for too long. I was free to just “do me” for a couple months.
This was cause to rejoice and celebrate! (All I wished to do was sleep)
In the last half of my senior year, I started attending a
bible study where I met new friends. A group of them planned to take a trip to
Kansas City for a prayer conference, and they invited me to join them. I was
initially reluctant. I was worn out from lab reports, senior projects, and
final exams. I just wanted to relax. Was that too much to ask? I
vacillated. If I stayed at home, I could catch up on the sleep I desired and
consume large amounts of entertainment. If I went, it would be my first
family-free road trip. I weighed my options and "counted the cost,"
so to speak. Within the week before the conference, I decided that I could not
and should not pass up the opportunity to bond with my friends before we went
our separate ways.
Without doing any research on the conference, I registered
for it and hoped for the best.
We gathered together on the morning of December 27, 2013 and piled into the designated travel vehicles. Our caravan left from a Walmart parking lot in Starkville, Mississippi to embark on our road-trip to Kansas City. I was 24 and in my prime, ready to take on the world. After the conference, I wished that I could click my heels and escape the woe that trip to Kansas brought into my life.
About the Author
Claire is an African-American author and a creative at heart. Born in the southern hills of Mississippi, she graduated with a bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering and has been re-designing and re-defining her world to live her best life ever since. She is an advocate for human rights and helps others to find freedom of mind through her coaching. When she is not writing, she can be found catering to Rupert (the family cat), daydreaming about warm spring days and cool fall nights, and whistling (a favorite pastime taught to her by her beloved "Papa Ray").
Sign up for her email list at www.ishiayetoro.com and receive a free gift. Become an advocate with her by exploring www.equalageco.com.
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This is a compelling exploration of the inner workings of a troubled yet creative mind. Her fearlessness is inspiring.
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