Remembering Patty Duke, an unsung hero

Call me Anna

Imagine being your best.

Not settling for mere imitation

Rather, giving your absolute best to the world.

The world may be raught with imitators and competitors,

But you are different.

You have set yourself apart from the rest

You heard the call, you answered it,

You made the decision

You didn’t make the decision to walk away

You didn’t make the decision to run

You didn’t chose comfort

You embraced

You embraced the spirit of what you believe

Who you are

You took your past and you trashed it,

You recycled the parts that have built your character

And your integrity

You’ve shed the rest

In a big garbage heap of no regret

But rather hope

The phoenix has arisen from the ashes

He is alive and borne inside you

He is real

Despite your best last ditch efforts you tried to leave yourself behind

But the phoenix was within you-ready to fly…..

Soar above the rest

There is no owner’s manual for life, but there are guides like the bible to help us along the journey. When I was a teenager, I read two life changing books: Keeping Secrets, by, Suzanne Somers, and Call Me Anna, by, Patty Duke Astin.  We lost an unsung hero yesterday, mental health activist &, actress, Patty Duke. It wasn’t that long ago that I saw her at The Orpheum in San Francisco in the Broadway Musical Wicked. Some may remember her in The Miracle Worker, others, Valley of The Dolls, still others may remember her cute teenage spirit in the tv show, The Patty Duke Show. However you remember her, remember that she was brave and courageous and took a topic, Bipolar Disorder and gave it a face. Though I am sincerely grateful to not be afflicted with such a disease, I have had family members whom I love and have loved dearly who faced the same demons that Patty so candidly shared with the world.

Meet Author Meisha Macillas, author of The Messy Minds Poetry Book

Make a difference Mondays

 

In our new format, Serendipity Press will be introducing you to people and concepts that “Make a Difference”, each Monday. Today, meet Meisha Macillas, author of The Messy Minds Poetry Book.

Describe why you chose to write a book of poetry?

I wrote a poetry book to start out, I have always had a love of poetry and how it makes me feel. I wanted to make others feel how poetry makes me feel, strong and not alone.

 

What was the process like?

The process was a lot easier than I thought it was going to be. I was a little scared that I  was never going to pick all the right poems for my book.

Is it what you expected?

Yes and no. I never thought I would get as much love from my home town as I have received.

Tell us about why you chose the title?

 I needed something that expressed the poems inside. With the poems there was no true theme besides  my life struggle, I felt like a messy minds poetry book just fit.

 

What is your purpose in your writing prose?

To express all the things that I was never strong enough to say out loud. To help others who can't say what they feel out loud, giving them a voice that they can relate to.

How is your writing process?

That’s funny because I have been asked this question before and I never know what to say. I write anywhere and everywhere. I have no real process. I just feel something and write it down.

 

Have your dreams been realized in your writing a book?

I have taken a step closer to my big dream. But this is just a stepping stone to a much bigger plan for myself.

 

What is next?

 

I am currently working on a short story book. I want to continue writing books and hopefully can do so the rest of my life. I am so thankful for all of the help I have received by chasing my dream. I am very excited to see what life holds for me. I just know I am not giving up on my dreams until they are realized.

Buy your copy today!

Watch Meisha on Central Valley Talk TV