The “Wisdom of Nana via the Gebo Passage” is a magical short story about a young lad’s future when his Grandmother foretold it from the roll of the Rune stones. Author Ben Rayman pens the words, crafts the scenes with just enough ‘memoir’ detail in his narrative storytelling style which presents:
“As in the beginning, the future paths one travels during their life stages are not solely determined by time or place alone, but through the foresightedness of others who have made the journey before us, who were also showered with the profoundness of a forever caregiver’s love; they also inherit and possess the wisdom that paints the portrait of destiny.”
Although packaged as fiction, the story does not actually embellish or disguise in entirety the realities of the lives of others interwoven into this read about family, faith, cultural heritage and career paths. Probably best said by author Marge Kennedy, “Soup is a lot like a family. Each ingredient enhances the others; each batch has its own characteristics; and it needs time to simmer to reach full flavor.”
Author Rayman does indeed paint, in part, those later newborn certains who were meant to be part of the grandparent’s journey in 1935 when they left St. Petersburg, Russia on Freedom’s Destiny to flee the Hilter regime.
In the book’s Epilogue, the author writes:
“Benjamin’s grandmother, Marganita “Maggie” Cohen-Grabowsky’s window to the world goes beyond the roll of the Gift Rune. She has heard the visions of the crimes against humanity from her parents, which shielded her youth from the unexpected in a plan…Their lives were not only filled with heartwarming and smooth sailing jubilations, but also heart-wrenching decisions…However that young love mixed with no fear became the ‘rose color’ strength, a courageous blindness to make the journey; leaving her homeland, although supposedly temporary, she packed the “seed” – the one that Ralph Waldo Emerson spoke of: “Though we travel the world over to find the beautiful, we must carry it with us or we find it not.”
It has been phrased in various ways, “good things come in small packages” and the author’s sentimental style is much prolific in this fiction read, but one with very much memoir non-fiction truths all blended with wholesome-ship, including his ‘Portraits of Life’ stories of both fact and fiction such as “Head West Young Lass” which he writes about his chosen one.
The book is currently produced in paperback, 5 x 8 inches and can also be ordered from the publisher for $9.95 plus shipping and handling at: www.arttoartpalettejournal.com.