Ashraya New York

By Michele Leight

New York City, September 3, 2007

On a happy note, writing about parents and grandfathers reminds me that a wonderful thing happened today, and, like most wonderful things, it was unexpected. It gave me hope that my book, "Harvest of Innocence," was quietly reaching people I will probably never meet, but they are important to me.

I saw the father that contributed a true story for my book (chapter three, "A Father's Story,") about how the young man his daughter fell in love with got her hooked on drugs and ruined a beautiful young life. He had told me that if she had been equipped with accurate information about drugs in her youth she would probably still be alive today. Back then there was no health education about drugs in his daughter's school, and they did not discuss such subjects at home, to his regret.

He described his daughter's ordeal with heart-wrenching honesty, because he wants to spare other young people - anyone, of any age and their parents - the pain and suffering he and his daughter endured. He knows the only way to reach young people is with the truth. It is an expression of love. It inspires hope and it helps carve new paths through problems and terrible tragedies. That is why he gave such a difficult interview. I know I learned a great deal about love, courage, loyalty and family from this father's powerful story. It was a hard story to tell. He helped me understand what drugs can do to a good person from a good family. It made me see how it can happen to anyone.

Today, he was happy because his granddaughter was with him. She was beautiful, optimistic, with a smile that lit up the room. She was astonished when he introduced me as "the lady that wrote the book."

"You wrote that book?" she asked, with youthful directness. I think she was expecting an elegant gray haired professor! I had just returned from a trek around New York with my camera. Her honesty made me smile.

I expressed surprise that she knew about the book and asked her how old she was.

"I'm fourteen," she said.

I suggested that perhaps she might read the book soon, because she was about the right age. She looked at me and said:

"I read the book in two days. I learned a lot. I am going to be really careful."

It is a wonderful thing when a young person voluntarily reads 237 pages in two days with all the other distractions they have around them. It made my day. She promised to spread the word, and I gave her some information to share with her friends and teachers.

Her grandfather looked surprised and happy. Without forcing it on her, his story had reached his beloved grandchild. It is a great gift. He has done his part. Now it is up to her.

"Harvest of Innocence," a book by Michele Leight,

available now on www.amazon.com, seeks to raise awareness about risky behavior, health, poverty and AIDS

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