My Story, My Song - Mother-Daughter Reflections on Life and Faith [Hardcover]

Lucimarian Roberts (Author), Robin Roberts (Author), Missy Buchanan (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: March 15, 2012

Publishers Weekly *
Good Morning America co-anchor Robin Roberts and her mother, Lucimarian Roberts, encapsulate resilience, faith and generations of joy in this slim and inspirational volume. Eighty-seven-year-old Lucimarian reflects concisely on a life buoyed by her deep love of music, as well as her commitment to her faith and civic service. The same musicality that steadied her as a young woman growing up in the segregated South, then marrying her husband of 53 years (who was a Tuskegee Airman), informs her descriptions of life traveling all over the world before making a home that was eventually imperiled by Hurricane Katrina. Excerpts of biblical passages and lyrics from her favorite spirituals add a devotional quality to the main narrative that is both endearing and uplifting. That the health challenges of both Roberts women are not addressed until late in the book underscores the main theme of the book: that victories surmount despair. The stories from journalist Robin about her mother add a sweet and conversational tone to the book.

Editorial Reviews

Review

This book is a beam of light, just like the author herself. So much hope and healing and a song to lift up every heart. In these pages, the wonderful Robin Roberts and her mother have a conversation that will make every mother and daughter smile. And I promise you, if there is ever an eclipse of the sun, no one will notice it if Lucimarian is around. She brings all things bright and beautiful into the room. ----Diane Sawyer, Emmy Award-winning journalist

Being the daughter of a phenomenal mother, I know Robin Roberts became who she is because she is the daughter of Lucimarian Roberts. This book must be read by every woman who wants to raise a daughter who dares to face life fully with enthusiasm and an adventurous spirit. ----Dr. Maya Angelou, poet and best-selling author

I have always believed in the power of music, and when you put that together with a good story, I am hooked! Thank you to Lucimarian Roberts for sharing her life s journey with us. And, oh, what a story-- growing up with an alcoholic father, dealing with racial prejudice, raising four children, and married for fifty-seven years to a Tuskegee Airman! This story is an inspiring and poignant example of what really matters in life. -- --Gayle King, editor-at-large, The Oprah Magazine

Being the daughter of a phenomenal mother, I know Robin Roberts became who she is because she is the daughter of Lucimarian Roberts. This book must be read by every woman who wants to raise a daughter who dares to face life fully with enthusiasm and an adventurous spirit. ----Dr. Maya Angelou, poet and best-selling author

I have always believed in the power of music, and when you put that together with a good story, I am hooked! Thank you to Lucimarian Roberts for sharing her life s journey with us. And, oh, what a story-- growing up with an alcoholic father, dealing with racial prejudice, raising four children, and married for fifty-seven years to a Tuskegee Airman! This story is an inspiring and poignant example of what really matters in life. ----Gayle King, editor-at-large, The Oprah Magazine

About the Author

The late Mrs. Lucimarian Tolliver Roberts was born and raised in Akron, Ohio, where she earned a scholarship from the publishers of the Akron Beacon Journal and became the first person in her family to attend college. She graduated from Howard University in 1946 and married Lawrence Roberts, a U.S. Air Force officer with whom she raised four children. In addition to other accomplishments, Mrs. Roberts was the 2011 recipient of the Medgar W. Evers Lifetime Achievement Award from the Gulfport, MS branch of the NAACP.

Robin Roberts, who has worked in broadcasting for more than 20 years, is coanchor of Good Morning America (GMA). Under her leadership, the broadcast won three consecutive Emmys for Outstanding Morning Program. Roberts graduated from Southeastern Louisiana University in 1983 with a Bachelor of Arts degree in communications and was a standout basketball player. Her first book, From the Heart: 7 Rules to Live By, released in 2007. An updated version with an added chapter on her battle with breast cancer was released in 2008.

Missy Buchanan became passionate about the needs and feelings of older adults while serving as a daily caregiver for her parents. She is a nationally recognized expert on aging and is the author of multiple books, including Living with Purpose in a Worn-Out Body. Buchanan has appeared on Good Morning America, as well as numerous Christian television and radio shows. She hosts Aging and Faith with Missy Buchanan on BlogTalk Radio and writes regularly for the Dallas Morning News and numerous religious publications.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 144 pages
• Publisher: Upper Room (March 15, 2012)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0835811077
• ISBN-13: 978-0835811071
• Product Dimensions: 0.8 x 6.3 x 9.2 inches
• Shipping Weight: 13.6 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (65 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #29,436 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

The late Mrs. Lucimarian Tolliver Roberts may be best known as the mother of Good Morning America coanchor Robin Roberts, but during her lifetime, the senior Mrs. Roberts achieved great success in her own right.

Lucimarian Tolliver was born in 1924 in Akron, Ohio. As a teenager she was awarded the John S. Knight Scholarship, given by the publishers of the Akron Beacon Journal. The first person in her family to go to college, Tolliver graduated in 1946 from Howard University, where she met her future husband, Lawrence Roberts. The couple had four children and moved 27 times as part of Mr. Roberts' career as an Air Force officer.

Mrs. Roberts' achievements include serving as director of the Federal Reserve Bank of Atlanta, New Orleans Branch; chair of the Mississippi Department of Education; and as a board member for the Boys and Girls Club of the Mississippi Gulf Coast. She also served on the Presbyterian Church (USA) National Committee on the Self-Development of People and was co-chair of the national steering committee for the mission initiative: Joining Hearts and Hands. In 2011 Mrs. Roberts received the Medgar W. Evers Lifetime Achievement Award from the Gulfport branch of the NAACP.

Mrs. Roberts collaborated with daughter Robin Roberts and author Missy Buchanan to pen My Story, My Song: Mother-Daughter Reflections on Life and Faith (Upper Room Books, April 2012). The book brings together pivotal moments of Lucimarian Roberts' intriguing life with personal reflections from Robin Roberts.

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

22 of 23 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Lift Me Higher And Higher April 3, 2012

By Grapes

Format:Kindle Edition

It has been the sweetest and most meaningful journey I've taken in a long while. Robin Roberts' mother Lucimarian Roberts is a modern day heroine. It will be impossible not to remember parts of her life story. Mrs. Roberts grew up in Akron, Ohio. Once married she moved to Pass Christian, Mississippi. This is where she and her husband Larry Roberts raised their family. Throughout her life Mrs. Roberts always lived a life filled with faith. Whenever there were hard times or good times in her life she meditated upon a scripture or played much loved hymns on her piano. "Music got me through the loneliest time of my life when I was a young wife and mother." Throughout the book there are words to hymns. There are also scripture verses. There are parts of her memoir I especially loved and pondered while reading. There are also places in the book where I laughed especially when Mrs. Roberts pulled down the car window and said a word or two to a mean driver. She does have a sense of humor.

She also has a love of family and friends. She is and was a great mother and a great wife. She was a military wife. Not such an easy life to adapt to for most women. However, as the family moved around Mrs. Roberts chose to see the good in picking up and putting down her life in new places. She and her husband made sure their children were introduced to different cultures while on new military bases. So there travels are wide. They have traveled to Japan, Hong Kong and Turkey. Since I have always wanted to travel, I really had pleasure in reading this part of the book. She also made sure her children knew about their African-American roots."We made friends with the Turnkish people in our neighborhood, shopped in the local markets, ate Turkish food...."

Also, I read closely her thoughts about the different trials that came in her life. She had to be made strong by God to not give up, to persist in seeing the joys in life. During her marriage, Larry, her husband, drank heavily. Many times she had to find a creative way to make do for the sake of herself and her children. Later she would lose Larry to a sudden heart attack. Next a son-in-law would die of colon cancer. Then, her youngest daughter, Robin, whom we know so well from Good Morning America would go through Breast cancer. Somewhere in all of this Hurricane Katrina came along and destroyed many loved items in their home. Lucimarian Roberts never gave up. She kept moving forward always playing her hymns on the piano and putting those hymns in to practice in her life. "I reflect back on my long life and realize that I still sing because I have a song in my heart and a story to tell about the people...."

Lucimarian Roberts life has been blessed. She has done so much for other people. I think this lady doesn't know the meaning of the word no. She's sacrificed her time for other people many times. This is a memoir to remember. There is extra sugar and spice in the novel. Robin Roberts' reflections are among the pages, here and there. [...]
[...]

12 of 13 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars What a lovely book!!! April 2, 2012

By Irene's Christian Reviews

Format:Hardcover

What a lovely book! My Story My Song is Lucimarian Roberts thoughts on her life so far. The book tells of her life growing up and how singing and music played an important role. Her marriage to Lawrence Roberts, a United States Air Force officer and their life together are also highlighted.

Mrs. Roberts is the mother of Robin Roberts, a current coanchor of Good Morning America. Robin Roberts makes a few comments in the book but it is mostly the thoughts of Mrs. Roberts as she reflects on different times in her life. The influence of music played an important role in her life. All kinds of gospel music but mostly hymns have helped her through many lonely and difficult times. Reading her stories of playing the piano and how it encouraged her is a real encouragement to the reader as well.

It was fascinating to read about the times in which she dealt with the issue of segregation. Her perspective was thought provoking and a must read for anyone wanting a first hand view of what those times were like. This book is a very easy to read story. I felt like I was sitting on the couch next to a sweet woman who was telling me her story and offering excellent advice on how to learn on the Lord during hard times.

I enjoyed the book so much I did not put it down until I had finished it! Just reading this book has been an encouragement to me and I hope to someday meet this strong woman and tell her what a positive influence her life has been on all of us!

I would like to thank NetGalley and the publisher for the copy of this book I enjoyed reading. I gave an honest review based solely on my opinion of what I read.

10 of 11 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Great read April 7, 2012

By Mellisa

Format:Kindle Edition

My Story My Song is such a wonderful read. It's relaxing yet making you feel like you know the people in it. I loved the story it was so peaceful yet stated how life really is.

I will be telling all my friends and family about the wonderful book.

I give it a 5 star rating as I was able to relax and feel at peace while reading this book :)