Review: Geraldina & the Compass Rose: One Woman's Faith-Filled Journey To Find Love. A Memoir.

Author: Geraldine Brown Giomblanco

Everyone has a story to tell, and there is nothing so warm and inviting, yet so thought-provoking as a well-told compelling story such as Geraldine Brown Giomblanco's Geraldina & the Compass Rose: One Woman's Faith-Filled Journey To Find Love. A Memoir.

The underlying theme of the memoir is best summed up with a quote from the Brazilian novelist Paulo Coelho de Souza, known for his novel, The Alchemist: "None of us knows what might happen even the next minute, yet still we go forward. Because we trust. Because we have Faith." It is this Faith as well as a strong belief in a guardian angel that helped Geraldine deal with many life challenges and ultimately meet the love of her life. When she coupled her faith with the power of her mind, and and where she made her thoughts the primary creative forces in her life, she was able to awaken a whole new experience of potential and opportunity.

Geraldine begins her memoir with a chance meeting with a gentleman she met at the Minneapolis-Saint Paul International airport in 1995 while she was on a work trip. Joe George introduced himself to Geraldine and informed her he was from Atlanta, Georgia. His name appeared odd to Geraldine, and she thought it was made up, although little did she realize that this man would turn out to be her guardian angel.

Geraldine and Joe conversed for over six hours and he seemed to know quite a great deal about her, although he never met her before their encounter at the airport.

He told her she had a close relationship with her family, and that her uncle had played an essential role in her life. He also knew about her other qualities, such as her "incredible ability to love," and "never to lose the little girl inside of her."

At the same time, Joe was talking to Geraldine, he was continuously tracing the shape of a circle on a table. She, in turn, was curious: "Who was this man? Why was this happening? Was this some kind of a sign? Or was she going nuts?" Joe also remarked to Geraldine that he felt her deceased maternal grandmother, Rosaria Gentile's presence around her very strongly. He further counsels her to listen to her as she is trying to tell her something. At the moment, however, she doesn't hear her.
Confused, Geraldine was at a loss as to precisely what Joe was trying to convey to her. Did it have to do with her job? Was she was on the right track? Would she be alone forever but happy with her life? Geraldine could have easily forgotten the encounter with this mysterious man. Nonetheless, she knew deep down in her heart that it was the beginning of a new road for her, and she was sure that guiding forces were watching over her. She felt that Joe was sent to her by her grandmother, Rosaria.

Delving into her past, Geraldine gives her readers a moving exploration of her complex experiences with love, work, tragedies, personal mistakes, relationships, and devotion to God. And unlike many memoirs, this one doesn't get bogged down in dull minute details that can put you to sleep. She also has a way of crafting memorable moments that spawn unexpected emotions.

After reading Geraldine's memoir and reflecting on your own life, perhaps, you will recall many a time when it seemed like a guardian angel was watching over you. I know I have, and it makes me wonder if these guardian angels do exist, and are they real?

Follow Here To Read Norm's Interview With Geraldine