Title: Running On When Life Ran Out
Author: Larry Darnell Washington
Publisher: Xlibris
ISBN: 978-1599269894
Pages: 128
Genre: Self-Help/Memoir
Reviewed By: Susan Brown
Pacific Book Review
Childhood trauma, particularly when inflicted by a parent, can be so destructive to a child’s well-being that some never find their way in life. Not so for Mr. Washington, author of this memoir. This book, an accounting of his extraordinary efforts to rebound from a terrible childhood is a testament to his perseverance to be successful in spite of his early years.
His childhood suffering began at the age of 5 when he witnessed his father repeatedly beat his mother, intervening at one point to try and protect her. Because of that interference, as he grew up, he also became the target of his father’s fury, which included physical, mental and emotional abuse culminating in his father threatening him with a gun. At the age of 14, he moved out and took control of his life.
It was by no means easy, but he had an unshakable advocate on his side … the Lord. He writes, “It became apparent to me that God was showing me that even though I was a little boy, who came from a home that was a living hell to live in, that He still had me in the palm of His hand.” This, plus an unshakeable positive attitude and a tireless work ethic impelled him to succeed in spite of his father.
All of the drama and upheaval he went through guided him to his true vocation — pastoring and preaching. As a student of the Bible, he came to understand much about his life journey. He made sense of the concept that “we cannot choose our parents, but we can choose our own destiny.” Additionally, he come to new understanding of God’s commandment to “Honor your father and your mother, so that you may live long in the land the Lord your God is giving you.” Exodus 20:12
The strength of this memoir titled Running On When Life Ran Out is the uplifting nature of the author’s story. He faced so much adversity; what could have been a tragic story is, in fact, one that is filled with joyful moments. He writes with a pinpoint attention to detail helping the reader hear the sound his father made prior to hitting his mother, to see the free-flowing mane created by his braiding handiwork on his favored-to-win horse, to feel his joy when his mother praised his preaching and to figuratively taste the sour grape attitude of his father about everything Mr. Washington accomplished.
In the domain of memoirs about childhood trauma, Mr. Washington’s provides a unique perspective on how to live a life with courage, determination and faith. His story is a guide for all striving to unshackle themselves from a painful childhood, to move forward with renewed resolve and build a productive and fulfilling life. Recommended for those who love memoirs or tragedy-to-triumph stories.
