Keep Singing: Two Mothers, Two Sons, and Their Fight Against Jesse Helms

This heartfelt, moving book made me want to be a better person. The authors' eloquent prose made me reevalutate what is most important in life: your family and friends, and also helping to make life easier for others. This is what these two incredible, beautiful women have done. If they can do all they've done and continue to do at their age, why can't everyone try to do the same? I'm not talking about becoming an activist; I'm talking about selflessly helping others each and every day. It'll come back tenfold, if not more. Read this lovely story and you'll want to be a better person too.

Anyone who's a parent, a child, a human being - will be uplifted by this wonderful story about courage, compassion, and strength.

I had the priviledge to meet Eloise Vaughn at a friend's home in Blowing Rock, N.C., last January. She is a very outgoing and hope/filled woman with much spirit and courage. As she told us about her book, I waited eagerly to read her and Patsy Clark's story. I urge all mothers who have adult children, regardless of their sexual experiences, to read these women's courage and convictions. No greater love do we have than to love and fight for justice for our children. The world will do that in spades. Thank goodness this book has been written. I also encourage book clubs to take up this book and read it, discuss it and grow from Clark and Vaughn's experiences.

The two mothers who lived the story of _Keep Singing_, Patsy Clarke and Eloise Vaughn, personify the essence of parental love that mothers and fathers ought to strive for. When each was a widow, she learned that her son was homosexual and faced imminent death from AIDS. The story of how each mother loved, accepted, and supported her son through difficult times is extremely moving, and would certainly be a compelling story in itself -- but there's a lot more.These women of politically diverse backgrounds who only met after the deaths of their sons, rose above their personal grief to fight against bigotry and homophobia in their organized effort to unseat the senior senator from North Carolina. Although he won the immediate battle of re-election, the two women certainly achieved successes along the way in changing hearts, helping parents and children understand and accept each other, and convincing us that inevitably, love must prevail over hatred.This book, which flows in an unpretentious and natural way, advances the national dialogue on homosexual issues. It will also inspire parents of all children to understand and love their children better in tough times.

Although I haven't finished the book yet (it's only 178 pages, but I just started it late last night) I feel compelled to tell people about this wonderful jewel. The foreword alone is worth the price of admission, but the story that unfolds throughout the book is so well written (it's difficult to believe these are first-time authors), so poignant and provides such amazing insights, I wish all who care about the human condition and justice (or, perhaps especially, those who don't yet) would read this book. I'll post a more complete review after I finish reading the book. But do yourself a favor and read if for yourself. You're in for a real treat.