Wisdom of Nana via Gebo Passage

Wisdom of Nana via Gebo Passage Wisdom of Nana via Gebo Passage has been transformed into a novel about certain life parts within the whole: Family, Faith, Cultural Heritage, Career--linking the quests of the past, the uncertainties of the present, to the hopes of the future, among the backdrops during political aggression, the onslaught of wars, the grasping of the brass rings, and the Evergreens of romance. "A PARTNERSHIP, SHE HAD CALLED IT. ONE FORGED IN YOUTH, TEMPERED BY TIME AND BOUND BY FATE LONG BEFORE EITHER OF US HAD THE WORDS TO NAME IT. SUDDENLY, MY MIND VISUALIZED THE ROLL OF THE RUNES AND NANA'S WORDS: "SHOW ME WHAT I NEED TO KNOW ABOUT THE FUTURE OF BENJAMIN'S LIFE." excerpted

About the Author :
Patricia Rayman is a practicing teacher of the arts for all ages. Born and educated on the East Coast, she was initially taught by working professionals from New York City. She is a graduate of the New Jersey School of Fine and Industrial Arts, New York Institute of Photography, and the Maryland Institute College of Art. Also, she has successfully completed countless continued education courses and programs in art academics and a host of art applications as well as writing and children's literature. Over the years, she has been showered with over * hundreds of recognitions for her artworks in art and photography by various local, regional and non-Ohio organizations; * chosen Big Sister-of-the-Year by the Big Brothers/Big Sisters of Lima-Allen County for her involvement in a young girl's life which allowed this child to bud from a thorny environment, and blossom forward with noted local and national achievements; * selected Tri-County Woman-of-the-Year for Allen, Van Wert and Putnam, Ohio local media for her volunteerism and an undaunted willingness of providing encouragement: Art is ageless, not only to the young, but even among nursing home seniors; * recognized by the Ohio Senate for her humanitarian contributions which goes back to her younger years working with emotionally and physically handicapped children. In addition, she also received * an Outstanding Achievement in Education award as the founder of Art-to-Art: Building Friendships Through Art, (1986-2006) an Ohio-based k-12 national art-based education program which bridges the gap with the subjects of Geography, History, Reading, Writing, and Communications through Human Relations; and has been included in * Who's Who Education In America in the past. Pat continues to hone her artistic skills while teaching art education application and academics classes and workshops for various art centers, including schools in Western Ohio and Eastern Indiana.

Review :
The book tells the story of young love in the shadow of political turmoil and crimes against humanity, exploring themes of family, faith, cultural heritage, and career. The story has strong emotional resonance and a clear narrative arc. It also highlights the impact of global events on personal lives. Benjamin's Grandmother, Marganita "Maggie" Cohen-Grabowsky is a significant figure in the story, a Jewish woman with a "window to the world" that extends beyond just the roll of the Rune stones. She along with her partner, Asa, in their late teens, embarked upon a six-month journey, taking on employment aboard a ship, Freedom's Destiny, that sailed from St. Petersburg, Russia to China, to flee the onslaught of Hitler regime in 1935, however the young lovers temporary plan turned into nearly four years when seeking repairs in Amsterdam, and ordered to sail to America, Chicago stockyards. The book's title links the concept of "wisdom" with the "Gebo" passage, where a grandmother foretells her grandson's future using rune stones and crystal orb. The Gebo rune (ᚷ) represents the concepts of gift, exchange, generosity, reciprocity, and balance. The "Gebo Passage" refers to the wisdom imparted through this principle of balanced giving and receiving, illustrating how these themes play out in the characters' lives and relationships within the novel. The "wisdom of Nana" refers to the grandmother's guidance and foresight, linked to the understanding of the Gebo rune's principles and their application in life. Featuring a cast of nearly 100 characters, the book delves into the lives of these individuals, exploring their intersecting and intertwining stories as they navigate themes of hope, destiny, and human connection. The novel is also described as an immersive and spiritual journey through their triumphs and trials. The novel's overall message is about the interconnectedness of individuals and the world, and how embracing generosity, fairness, and mutual support leads to positive outcomes even in challenging circumstances, intertwining a diverse cultural background among the characters and their lives from the Grabowsky-Cohan-Cohen-Smith families, a mix of French, Jewish, Dutch, German, and Irish origins.