Surviving the Sunrises and Sunsets by Rhonda Green
A 50-year-old woman is beginning to resign herself to a life without romantic love. She moves to Tulsa for work, without knowing anyone, and attends a Toastmasters District Conference with the intention of just meeting potential friends. At the event, she strikes up a conversation with some friendly women, and bam — just like that — her dream man walks in. You’re never too old to love. The author, Rhonda Green, notes this lesson: “The best things in life are still to come. You will never be too old to experience love and romance. Experiences like this will be the fond memories which will always make you smile.” Encouraged, writer and reader move on to the next chapter of the book titled Surviving the Sunrises and Sunsets.
But don’t get carried away by this bright and happy “sunrise,” because Chapter 2 slides back in time and details the pitfall of spending hours of effort cooking pinto beans for a new husband who won’t touch them. The lesson? “Don’t assume that just because you like a certain food that anyone else will like it. If you do you could be sorely disappointed. If someone goes out of their way to do something just for you, grin — bear it — eat it or do it!”
AN ECLECTIC ARRAY OF LIFE EXPERIENCE
A dislike of pinto beans, however, is nothing compared to the emotional and physical abuse Rhonda suffered in her previous relationship. She told herself she would stay for her daughter and for the vow she had made at the young age of 17, and it took 5 years before the divorce was finalized. Meanwhile, another sobering experience makes her learn not to “wait until you have a near death experience to make a change in your life. If there is something about you that you don’t like that is within your control. Change it now. You have to be committed to change for it to happen. Help is always available, just ask.”
The book is a series of vignettes such as these, and through them we witness metaphorical sunrises, sunsets and the long or short days in between. It’s the natural ebb and flow of life that’s so aptly depicted. The small lesson that comes from the simple act of putting on a pair of shorts reveals complex insights about confidence and is genuinely affecting. Every takeaway, while personal to the author, cannot help but apply to just about anyone. Twice divorced and after various other hardships, Green certainly isn’t looking at life through rose-colored glasses.
But it’s not altogether darkness, either; even her mother’s funeral can present a surprising opportunity to laugh. Says the author with wisdom, “You could be sad and unhappy one minute and laughing with joy the next. My Mother was always there for all of us in the family. Always with a bright smile and words of wisdom. Even in death my mother taught me one more lesson. No matter what happens in your life, LIFE GOES ON.” And don’t worry, it’s not all about relationships; the author is something of a renaissance woman, who studied engineering and became the owner of a successful entrepreneurial side hustle.
STORIES WITH PERSONALITY
Every new story is an opportunity to discover a new aspect of her personality, a personality that shines through whether the lesson learned involves sunburns or stalkers. It bounces back and forth between extremely serious and more lighthearted, (one of the chapters is even called “Fried Chicken Lessons”!) and the reader gets accustomed to the way the narrative structure mirrors life’s capriciousness.
The vignettes play off of each other and come together to create a unique account of an equally unique life lived. Who knows what else is in store for Green throughout the coming years? More life lessons, of course. The final one of the book shares the same opening line as the first but takes the message a step further: “The best things in life are still to come. You can’t meet people sitting at home, playing on the computer and watching television. To experience new things and adventures you have to step away from home. Possibilities are endless when you choose to take a few chances and enjoy life.”
