Customer Reviews

Mama Get The Hammer! There's a Fly on Papa's Head!

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A good book to read if you are looking for some good laughs and a healthy way to help you through the ongoing trials of life. The author uses a lot of stories she has gathered from others as examples of successful outcomes. Mostly stories of mothers going through trials brought on by their children - either in death or rebellion, even homosexuality. Although i believe the author could have used more scripture: If you are looking for encouragement, laced with some laughter, grab this book.

There are a few life altering moments I remember over and over, and this book is one of them. It's title caught my eye at the airport, as I was flying my son to a regional hospital. Just a few hours earlier I had been told that my son had a rare and always fatal form of leukemia. I really needed something positive in my life and I was so fortunate to find it in this bright red book. The main take-away for me, is that sometimes life is crap and that is the time humor is most important. Barbara's tenant to find something to laugh about, even if it is black humor (not so funny to others). The example in her life was when she burst out laughing when the refridgerator repair man asked her if she wanted a 5 year or a 10 year warranty. She explained she didn't care about the warranty, since she only had 3 years to live. Her stories are funny, inspiring, and the ring of truth is heard on every page. It gave me coping strategies to copy. My son hated his nasty tasting medicine, and he would walk around like the vampire in Sesame Street, "Oi've got to take my medicine, Ba wa ha ha ha!" Until he got up enough pluck to do so. My brother chided me, that I should not let him laugh because the situation was serious. The book gave me strength to reply, "It's not serious; it's critical. It needs a LOT of laughter." Barbara gave me teaching points to share with others.

This book has a timeless, classic feel, which you will enjoy reading again, and again. (If you still have a copy left after passing it around to your friends.) My son is 25 and he stills deeply knows this tenant to use humor, especially on dark days. Thank you Barbara, for validating and teaching us this important truth.