Gwen Collins Womack

Three Gwen Collins Womack

There were two things that struck me during this period of Gwen's life and it surrounds this idea of "Crossing Over." And, I don't mean walking before traffic or even a departure from this life. I'm speaking in terms of the moment you make a decision based on what is in your best interest. Some may also call this as taking responsibilities for your actions. This line is quite figuratively THE door to adulthood.

As you turn a couple of pages, you'll come across a saying that is quite well known in Spanish but not in English, but the idea bears mentioning. A co-worker of mine, Mrs. Dunia Rodriguez, told me the loose translation means, "You can drown in a cup of water." And, for a number of people we'll meet in this volume, knowing when and what to fight for can mean all the difference between safety and freedom or injury and incarceration.

Another idea that kept coming back to me had to do with this idea of opposition and its use in our lives.

Gwen has a few adversaries in this period in her life but none (in my opinion) that is as pervasive and yet elusive to define as the one she had with Warden Velma Blankenship.

One time, as we were walking out of our American Lit class at Florida State, my professor, Ralph Berry was commenting on one the character in the book. He said to a classmate who was closer to the exit, "Aren't the villians the most interesting characters in any book?" And, before she could respond to his question, he laughed and said, "and, what does that say about our character?"

As, I walked by them, I found myself sheepishly laughing at the irony because in fiction as well as real-life, we need adversarial moments to demonstrate what we know to be true.

Grab your popcorn and drinks because the exciting adventures of Gwen Womack continues......