Growth

Can a woman who never learned to stand up for herself find the courage to speak up for her son?

Karen is a happily married, slightly frazzled mother of two when her eight-year-old son, Matthew, develops a strange eye-rolling tic. Matthew’s tics quickly multiply. He becomes clumsy and lethargic, a gifted program dropout. Karen tries to get her husband and their pediatrician to acknowledge what’s happening, but they dismiss her concerns. As a people-pleaser, Karen lacks the skills to assert herself and stifles the growing dread in her heart. For three years, Matthew steadily deteriorates while Karen questions if she has the fortitude required of motherhood. Finally, desperation breaks through her fear of conflict, and she demands answers, only to be horrified by the truth.

Matthew has a brain tumor.

A delicate surgery and promise of complete recovery convince Karen her battle is over. But she is wrong. The ensuing years launch her on a journey of perseverance and personal growth she never imagined, teaching Karen just how weak she is—and then exactly how strong.

Author Biography

Retired from a satisfying career in health promotion, Karen DeBonis writes about motherhood, people-pleasing, and personal growth, inspired by the experience of raising her son. Her work has appeared in the New York Times, HuffPost, AARP, and numerous literary journals. Karen relishes her hard-won empty nest in upstate New York with Michael, her husband of forty years. You can learn more about her at karendebonis.com