About the author
Pam Reece is the author of the soon to be relaunched book, I Chose the Good, which is her personal memoir that details in length Pam’s growing and rising from a home of severe dysfunctionality and adversity. Her book goes into great length of how she was exposed to abandonment, alcoholism, verbal abuse and sexual molestation. It’s a story of redemption and how she overcame anger, resentment and unforgiveness. Her message is simple yet profound and has a two-fold message which says that everything you triumphed over was necessary for the fulfillment of your purpose and destiny in the earth; and second, if you’re still alive after the adversity and hardship, you’re to repurpose it and help someone else. Pam’s book, I Chose the Good, will make you laugh, cry and also wonder at the faithful love and grace of God. The relaunch of I Chose the Good is set for early July.
How did the idea for your personal memoir come about?
On various occasions, I’d be in the company of friends sharing tidbits of my growing up in a dysfunctional setting and the adversities I had to face. I would go from one experience to the next as my friends listened intently so much that they strongly suggested I write a book. I quickly dismissed the idea of writing because it seemed so daunting. However, I couldn’t ignore the tug in my spirit to settle down and begin reveal my story. I was born a writer from the beginning and loved to pen my thoughts but writing about my experiences growing up would be a challenge I hadn’t considered. After a while, writing the book became a strong push by the spirit of God within me – something I could no longer ignore.
I knew that there were countless individuals who would be able to identify the trauma of verbal abuse, sexual molestation, alcoholism, abandonment, racism and other adversities. My story would not only resonate with them, but it would be a testament of God’s saving love that heals and restores.
I set out to journal my personal history by chronicling my beginnings growing up in Boston and as we moved from one address to other – what significant events I faced.
What impact do you hope your book will have on readers for whom your experiences are familiar? Readers for whom they are not?
It’s my hope that readers that have gone through similar experiences will see that they are not alone. We tend to easily isolate ourselves when we deal with trauma and my aim to point to the fact that as humans we will go through adversity – some of which can be very painful, extreme, unfair and damaging and some experiences may be just a temporary trial. Nevertheless, it’s adversity. I hope readers that identify with similar adversity will see my courage to share my story and find healing and resolve. It’s also my hope that readers will see their experiences as qualifiers for great purpose and destiny.
For readers who are not acquainted with such experiences, I hope they’ll see how I emerged from a low place to one of victory and triumph. I also hope all readers will see that it’s not too late to manifest your dreams. As long as you’ve got a pulse, God’s got a plan!
You went through a lot of adversity. Who/What inspired and motivated you sit tight and fight?
At a very early age, my biological father spoke profound, prophetic words over me. At the time I had no idea what it meant, but now I see that the utterance of words from my father would be a safeguard and an anchor for what life’s trials would deal out to me. For some reason, though I could not remember verbatim every word my father spoke, I had summary in my memory bank that never left me. His words were an emotional anchor when I felt like yielding to alcoholism and promiscuity.
I also attribute the influence of the local church – which was a life giver and a sustainer for me because I required structure and family who’d make me feel like I was wanted. And, although they weren’t my biological family, they cared about my happiness and welfare. The encouragement from my local church gave me the will to keep moving forward. I still had inner struggles, but my local church kept me encouraged.
Ultimately, my father’s prophetic utterance was a preventative measure to keep me alive and fighting because my enemy was on assignment to keep me in a dark, defeated place forever. My father, though he was absent for many years of my life growing up due to mental illness, he spoke out God’s word over me and God honored his faith.
Do you still think of the dark times and feel that your uneven past is the reason behind shaping your personality and making the person that you are now?
I still think of some of the bad times I went through but it doesn’t affect me the way it did years ago. I quote something that Bishop T.D. Jakes said so many years ago when I was in a very dark place. He said, “you’ll know you’re healed when you can talk about it and it doesn’t hurt anymore.”
So, yes, my past has shaped my personality but only for the better. Every adversity was sent to smother my identity and my confidence but now I’m healed. I wouldn’t experience this interview had I not been inflicted with some of the terrible things I went through. The trial was sent to make me bitter, but God took it and turned it to better for me.
Going forward, what future goals do you have, or are you happy to see what life brings your way regarding new opportunities?
Today and the future are mine to dream, describe and define. I have more literary works to create and publish, more platforms that I’ll use to help men and women who are struggling with similar like adversities. I am also very passionate about helping men and women who are in their 40s, 50s, 60s and 70s who want to do more and have an insatiable desire to pursue a life-long dream and touch the world.
