A Moving Mourning: Author Julie DeBondt-Barker Inspires the Audience with a Beautiful Tale of Love that Could Never Strike Out in Any Major League - 11am, Saturday, 26th July 2014





The following is a reflective entry from author Julie DeBondt-Barker who spoke at Mentone Public Library to an utterly enthralled audience on 
Saturday, 26th July 2014 to discuss her book "The Mourning After." 
Julie's book chronicles the narrative, emotional and personal maturational timeline of her son coming out to her at the impressionable age of fifteen, and Julie discovering the meaning of unconditional love born from purity of courage to be oneself no matter the cost.

 "Dear Julia & Tony,
Thank you for providing me the warm, welcoming and intimate platform of the Mentone Public Library on a cold Saturday morning for me to share my book, The Mourning After, with such a wonderful audience. 


I have had the privilege of speaking to people all over the country for not only my book, but as an Ambassador for Beyondblue and I can honestly say that the safe space you created on Saturday morning really was a gift to me. 
I loved how the reading seemed to just naturally flow into an open forum with questions being asked that might never have been pondered on before. This is because it was safe to do so and this is a credit to you Julia and Tony, and what you have created. I attended the session a month ago when Cindy Rochstein spoke and the atmosphere was the same.



a wonderful audience.


 My soul purpose for writing my book was to make a difference to at least one person. I would like to think that some of the stigma was lifted around depression and anxiety on Saturday. I would also like to think that from some of the great questions raised by the guests of the library, that some of the ignorance, confusion and misunderstandings around the LGBTI (Lesbian, Gay, Bi, Trans and Intersex) community were altered on the day as well.




Therefore the day made a difference. Thank you so much for allowing me the opportunity to be part of our communities' changing views. Without understanding, there can be no compassion. Without compassion, there can be no love. I think there was a little bit more love in the world last Saturday.





















Warmest Regards,
Julie DeBondt-Barker
Author of The Mourning After"
Monday, 28th July 2014

Mentone Public Library sincerely thanks Julie for starting such a vital conversation in our library. Thank-you for enabling us to see that no human being should have to ask to be tolerated or accepted for the Being that they are. Rather, they ought to walk into a space and be loved and appreciated for living as the person they truly are.


 The Mourning After is available for Purchase:
WEBSITE: http://the-mourning-after.org/ 
EMAIL: debondt@bauer.net.au

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