Out The Box

"Turning 50 is a B^-*-*~"is a series of essays documenting Cheryl Gittens-Jones' life journey, from illegitimacy to legitimacy, on all levels. The work deals with identity, race, aging, culture, parenting, 'otherness', loss and more. She wrote these essays over the space of two years in order to help her deal with a host of complex issues, which were continually emerging from her life, as she transitioned to 50.  Cheryl's life to this point has been traumatic, chaotic and multifaceted. In order to arrive at this point she took full responsibility for a life that was careening headlong into disaster. She was saved from herself when she found the practice of Buddhism. The practice is now her life's philosophy. It is incorporated in her every thought, word and deed. In order to survive her life Cheryl created two existences. When the pain and trauma was visited upon her physical, her spirit retreated into one of them and was never touched by the pain experienced by her body.   About the Author Cheryl Gittens-Jon