Naked: A True Story of Survival and Resilience During Hurricane Katrina - Inspiring Memoir for Book Clubs & Disaster Recovery Discussions

What would I do if a raging hurricane took my home and all my things? What if my husband was far away and didn't show up; what if I were abandoned to raise an infant alone in the face of this tragedy?These are the questions that ran through my mind when I came across Julie Freed's story. I immediately had to purchase her memoir, Naked, as I was so intrigued- just how on earth did this woman cope with such a catastrophic double whammy?Naked is a story of a warrior mother, tenaciously protecting her infant daughter, and even finding the good, in the aftermath of the devastating Hurricane Katrina. As if Katrina wasn't enough, another kind of hurricane hit her home at the same time- her husband shockingly wanted a divorce.Somehow, Julie does not fall apart, though if anyone had the free go-ahead to fall apart, it's her. Instead, she seems to draw from her devotion to her small daughter who, in a way, keeps her in the moment (as all small children do). I was also amazed at her ability to take care of business and pull her sleeves up (literally) and make things happen. Her personal connections and sense of community come through as incredibly strong throughout.Her story is full of candid internal dialogue and vivid, colorful description of the wreckage. However, she does not leave out the beauty of her homestead in Mississippi.I enjoyed the flashbacks in the book. In reading about the earlier years with her husband- dating, their wedding, his childhood- I became more drawn into the story and curious about the why and how.Among many other things, Naked by Julie Freed is a story of courage and vulnerability and strength; and a personal account of how this amazing woman dealt with terrible loss and grief. Naked is an example of how we might surprise ourselves when presented with a tremendous challenge(s); it's a story of a woman transformed and triumphant.I very much enjoyed reading! I recommend this book.