Forever Growing

Author's Summary

MWSA Review

This is Richelle N. Rodgers’ sacred story. She shares her story in her own terms with a most beautiful love for God and others. Amazingly, this African American woman survived more than her fair share of difficult and challenging events. When she was only 13, her father died tragically, and yet she was able to forgive him. She had been accepted to Yale University, but lack of finances blocked that avenue.

Near the end of the Vietnam War in 1973, Richelle was fearful of not being able to obtain her college education. After one semester at St. Joseph’s University in Philadelphia, she responded to a dare from a boyfriend to answer an Armed Forces recruiting ad. At 18 years of age she carefully weighed the benefits: a trade, travel and education benefits. This is one pretty intelligent and savvy woman.

I had to laugh when she shares how she walked into the recruiter’s office without knowing the difference between the Army, Navy, Marines, Air Force or Coast Guard. She writes, “The U.S. Army solicited me first, and two weeks later I was in Ft. McClellan, Alabama. I remember crying my first night at Basic Training, ‘Richelle, what have you done with your life?’”

Richelle did amazing things with her life. Had she not joined the Army, she would have never met her husband and soul mate also stationed in Germany. While they were both still stationed in Germany, they married, honeymooned in Paris, and she gave birth to their daughter in Texas. Their only daughter would eventually make them grandparents of triplets. After earning her Master’s degree, she was hired for consultative work including non-profits, volunteer work, and an impressive resume. This was not easy with all the army and civilian moves of her husband. Did I tell you Richelle was smart?

Richelle begins the book by saying she wrote it solely for inspiration. She chronicles her life in communion with her love, belief and trust in God. She remains faithful and active in her Catholic faith her entire life. In fact, her faith blossoms into an active participation as lector, minister and sponsor for her husband’s conversion.  The religious references and tone need to be developed better and interwoven with a more diverse, theological and scholarly flare.

The book is important on a number of levels. The historical value cannot be underestimated. It is a book about resilience and forgiveness. It is an important story about the fortitude and journey of an African American woman, a veteran herself, married to a veteran for 38 years at a time when to be a veteran was not always appreciated. The story shows how the GI Bill is so very important to our military veterans, especially the enlisted. I sense that Richelle experienced healing in the process of writing the story of her journey of trust.

Thank you Richelle for your faithfulness to God, family, country and education. Richelle, you have done wonderful things with your life! Keep trusting!

Reviewed by: Ron Camarda (2013)