Maybe it’s the resilient playful innocence of children that has always opened my heart wide or the freedom in which they live moment to moment that draws me to them most. My deepest wish is each child would grow up feeling so loved and so supported that no matter what outside of themselves may happen in life, that innate knowing inside them that says ‘all is well-lets’ play” would forever remain alive inside them. Thus, It Was My Star was born: conceived with a deep desire to reach children and adults alike and speak the powerful language of “Love’ igniting within them the truth of who they really are.
Children are the essence of life, and the child in us is our true essence that blossoms when we know we are truly loved. – Theresa Gooch
http://www.theresagooch.com
Barbara Irvin, longtime Ashland resident, mother of three and grandmother of six, is thrilled to have been able to realize her dream of producing a children’s book. An aspiring writer and occasional poet, she had been focusing on several other projects when the opportunity to help Theresa arose. Initially, she responded to her friend Theresa’s request for a poem and was just happy to offer encouragement and support to her. Later, as she became more involved with the project, Barbara assumed the role of co-author. Now she is full of ideas about the potential future of the delightful characters created by illustrator Vanessa Keys of Harbor!
A retired emeritus professor of nursing, Dr. Irvin taught with Oregon Health & Science and Southern Oregon Universities for many years. She has published articles in her research areas of family stress and care giving as well as volunteers to help with a lab concerning individual, family or community psychosocial issue. Additionally, Irvin facilitates personal effectiveness development through a variety of coaching seminars and healing modalities. Her goal is to help people achieve their dreams of greater health and well-being in all areas of their life.
Gina Edge, (www.ginaedge.com) songwriter and visionary of Love, composed and recorded the song “My Star” on the It Was My Star CD included in this book. You will hear Gina playing her guitar, beautifully singing along with children voices this amazing song capturing the message of love that resonates so deeply kids want to listen, sing along again and again.
Gina is currently studying in music in Bath, England and has recently founded
Peace Prayer Society