Funk calls her "a skydiver afraid of heights"--someone who figures out how to spend a cost-free summer in Europe, arranges it all, but when it's time to leave, has an anxiety attack walking out the door.
In this first volume of her humorous, sharp-witted, and brutally honest memoir, Gloria pushes past her fears, spends the summer abroad with her family (living far outside her comfort zone) before setting up a campaign office, and eventually, without any experience, helps Funk cross the finish line--only to learn that being Kansas City's First Lady will be much more difficult than she could've ever imagined (but those stories are saved for later books).
In sharing her story of courage and becoming her New and Better Self, Gloria hopes to inspire you to also step out in faith, to make a difference where it counts, and to stand up for others ... and yourself.
Despite spending years in Nashville, Kansas City, and Washington, DC, Gloria Squitiro is still a New York Italian girl at heart, who can't--and won't--stop voicing what most of us know but are unwilling to say.
"A bundle of ideas" --The Wall Street Journal
About the Author :
It's her calling to make every husband on earth feel grateful they're not married to her. Gloria Squitiro is the birth mother of Tara and Andrew, and the cosmic mother of Alex, Nick, Pipo and Anna. She has been married to her husband, Mark Funkhouser ("Funk") for over 40 years. Squitiro has an INFJ personality (introverted, intuitive, feeling, judging): An advocate and dreamer who takes concrete steps to realize goals and make a lasting, positive impact. Helping others is her purpose, but not through charity work. Her passion is to get to the heart of issues so people need not be rescued at all. In 2006, Gloria became Funk's campaign manager by default. She has the rare distinction of being the only First Lady in America to have a City Council legally ban her from the Kansas City, MO City Hall office where her husband was mayor. Good Morning America, Fox and Friends, NPR, The Wall Street Journal, NY Times, USA Today, The Washington Post-even Great Britain's left-wing The Guardian and America's right-wing Rush Limbaugh-did stories about her. They can throw her out, but they can't shut her up! Squitiro has a bachelor's in psychology and is published in Harper's Magazine. Her memoir, May Cause Drowsiness and Blurred Vision: The Side Effects of Bravery, is the first in her three-book C'mon Funk series. She lives in Washington, DC with Funk, surrounded by some of their flock.
Review :
Totally addictive, utterly enjoyable...
In this first installment of C'mon Funk series, Squitiro chronicles the course of her family's Europe trip along with beginning of her husband's campaign for the seat of mayor of the Kansas City and describes her family's many misadventures with rare candor and wit. A blunt honesty infuses every sentence of Squitiro's narrative which is both conversational and witty, and her bang on comedic timing and rib-tickling funny stories further add to the intrigue of the book. Readers will be both impressed and jolted by Squitiro's unabashed honesty and outspokenness. Squitiro's wry wit, deft prose, and her fantastic storytelling knack make this book a memorable read. Humorous and entertaining, this memoir will delight fans of non-fiction as well as anyone else mildly interested in reading a book. - The Prairies Book Review
Loved it!
Bravery isn't glamorous, but it's a side effect of living this one wild life.
In part one of Gloria Squitiro's story she has a dream, a European dream. It's a dream of many to travel to Europe, especially with children who are old enough to carry their own luggage and fend for themselves when they need to. It was going to be a great vacation and work combo. Her husband Funk would do research for his grant, and she would get to experience "her land" before the chaos of his race for mayor took over their lives.
There is just one problem, life isn't a fairy tale. It's messy and chaotic and filled with ups and downs, like flats not living up to their internet descriptions, dying fathers, family growing pains, and dealing with anxiety and grief all while trying to enjoy and grow through Europe. Gloria does just that, she doesn't see it happening right away, but she did indeed grow in bravery and courage.
It is easy for me to dream of traveling and the awesome life I will have and the stories I will be able to tell. I will be fabulous overseas, but that isn't real life. Part one of Gloria's story made me laugh, cry, and think about the small decisions I make every day.
I get to choose how I view my circumstances. I get to stand up and live another day to not just fight for myself, but to keep the walls of my emotions and anger from forming, separating me from the people I love. Europe doesn't have the power to change us, but going beyond our comfort zone can open our eyes to the strength that has been within us all along. Strength to endure suffering by looking at the ones standing by our sides, our family. Being able to admit that it's not pretty or perfect, but facing grief and conflict with the people you love is always worth it, because it makes each individual and the unit stronger.
The journey prepares us for what is ahead, just as it did for Gloria; she came home ready to live in her everyday and face the race that was before her. - Reedsy Discovery
Best Indie Book Cover Award - TopShelfMagazine, The Winners Circle for May 2019
"A very beautiful cover design. Well done!" - The Book Designers Non-fiction Book Cover Award
"The book puts into words what's in our heads at 4 am."
"This book is a must read for those who appreciate facing life's challenges, learning to deal with one's deepest fears and finding one's strengths."
"What an excellent read! Gloria through her humor, whit and honesty will take you through her journey. All along the way encouraging you to challenge yourself...to take your own path, take on your own fears and the joy when you conquer it."
