Always on the lookout for inspiring true stories from women, I was, of course, thrilled and delighted to have been booked for a community ‘do with the fabulous Linda Gayle Thompson, author of Hookers, Midgets, and Fire Trucks:  An Invitation to our Party.  My job was to show women how to bling themselves out for the holidays; Linda’s job was to share her phenomenal story, one of courage, faith, and determination – which she did, beautifully!  We laughed, we cried, and we all left the event with a new, enlightened perspective on this funny thing called life.

I read Linda’s book, and absolutely loved it.  She tells the story of her life as a single mother raising two children when she met and fell in love with an electrical contractor. A year later, he was in a car accident that left him paralyzed from the neck down. Three months later she proposed, “taking on the role of his arms and legs for the rest of his life.”   Linda shares in her memoir “how laughing, loving, crying, and honest-to-God begging for answers got her through the absurdity of life,” which she equates to a party.

I immediately contacted Linda, for I knew the readers of Chic Galleria would want to know more about her.  She graciously answered a few questions for us:

CG: Linda, your story is quite compelling.  How difficult was it for you to get it all down on paper?

LT: Writing your life story is quite a process. But you know that little voice that gently whispers in your ear and you realize you need to do what it tells you, well, that voice was shouting at me (There was nothing gentle about it!) and I also felt I had a boot between my shoulders shoving me every step of the way. Once I got started, I laughed and cried my way through it, kind of like giving birth without an epidural.

CG: You endured quite a bit of tragedy – caring for your husband, losing your son, and then losing your husband.  What got you through it all?

Laughter, Guardian Angels, Bioidentical Hormones and my precious grandbabies saved me as well as super family and friends along the way.

CG: One of the things I loved most about your book was the humor!  No offense, but there are some truly, wonderfully absurd moments in this book!  The title – Hookers, Midgets, and Fire Trucks:  An Invitation to Our Party, pretty much sums it up!  Did you ever second-guess your decision regarding the title for fear it may be off-putting to some?

LT: No offense taken, Beth!  Humor was and continues to be my mainstay. We did however anguish over the title because the book was written for one purpose, to help people. The last thing I wanted was for anyone to be hurt or offended in any way. I believe your readers including prostitutes, little people and firefighters will understand after reading Hookers, Midgets and Fire Trucks why those words are near and dear to my heart and forgive me for my politically incorrect title.

CG: What motivates you to make such honest connections with people?

LT: Beth, I believe it’s my destiny. I have always adored people and being a caregiver is just who I am. I think I have always known that I needed to reach out to folks and help them understand how unique and truly wonderful they are. Their ability to send positive energy to each person they come in contact with gives all people the amazing potential to make our world a better place.

CG: What was your primary purpose in writing Hookers, Midgets, and Fire Trucks?  What message do you want it to convey, particularly for women?

LT: From the inception of the idea to write our story, which is filled with equal parts of tears and laughter, it has been my dream that it would help people…inspire, help them laugh their butts off, and give them the goal to go on no matter how difficult their journey and come out on the other side loving, laughing, and being thankful.

My message to women is pull up those boot straps, or garter belts, fight your fears and follow your dreams! In the words of my brilliant and amazing husband, “Don’t worry about the mule, just load the wagon!”

For more information, feel free to visit Linda’s website, www.lindagaylethompson.com. You can also become a fan of Linda on Facebook (www.facebook.com/lindagaylethompson) Hookers, Midgets, and Fire Trucks:  An Invitation to Our Party is available at AMAZON.COM in soft, hard and kindle versions.

Beth Newman is an image consultant, life coach, and author based out of Houston, TX.  For more information, please visit her website, www.newmanimage.info.  Online consultations available!

Tags: author, books, interview, Linda Gayle Thompson