I Ain't Never Been Ordinary...Nor Have You

This childhood memoir was inspired by the legendary Les Brown when I was blessed to attend a private virtual training with him called Your Signature Story.During that training, Mr. Brown asked me to share a story with him. I was surprised when he started laughing uncontrollably. Even after he regained some composure-still laughing-he asked me to tell him just one more. Well, by the time I finished my second story, not only was he wiping tears of laughter from his eyes, but his entire technical crew was laughing right along with him! Then he looked at me and said, "Carla, you need to share these stories."So I did.In my childhood memoir, I Ain't Never Been Ordinary... Nor Have You, I take you on a colorful, sometimes comical journey through my adventures growing up in the '70s and '80s. Woven throughout these stories-like a patchwork quilt of wisdom-are ten valuable childhood lessons that shaped my character and helped me navigate life into my adulthood. These experiences taught me that I had the power to choose my own path and that it's okay to be curious, confident, and compassionate and that you chase after what you want in life.But this book isn't just about childhood memories-it's about resilience. It's about navigating life with both Sickle Cell Disease and Thalassemia, overcoming challenges, and drawing strength from faith, family, and the healing power of dance and music. Through perseverance and courage, I discovered that embracing my true self and my God-given gifts was the key to transforming every challenge into a stepping stone for growth.I Ain't Never Been Ordinary... Nor Have You is more than a memoir-it's an invitation to reflect on your own journey, to embrace your uniqueness, and to see every challenge as an opportunity to rise higher. No matter what life throws your way, there is always a glimmer of hope waiting to be discovered within yourself . If you press forward with faith, courage, and determination, you will not only walk through life's storms-you will soar beyond them.Because the truth is, just like me, you ain't never been ordinary. And that, my friend, is your greatest gift.

-- Dr. Carla Hooker