First edition published September 2010; cover design by ScarlettDesign; layout and design by Barbara Mueller; Printing by MegaDigital, Cape Town.

Foreword by Shelie R.Warren, author of Inside of Me!

When my mother first approached me about writing the foreword for her book, I must admit that initially, while I immediately did concede, a part of me was a bit nervous. Yes, I am well over 30-years-old. Yes, I am, as my mother affectionately calls me, her “woman-child”.“Yes, I’m actually (and some might even say,ironically) also an author.”. Yet, there is still a part of me who wants to please her. Who wants to make sure that I make her proud. Two writers who are friends are usually pretty cautious about critiquing one another’s work, but when it’s a daughter doing it for her mother? That can be even more challenging. The thing is, this book is from her but the truth is, so am I. Her writings and my life are bonded in many inexplicable, yet magical, ways. How do you pen the right words…the appropriate words…the necessary words from something that came from the same source as you did? What really can you say to give it proper justice?

This is what I had to ponder on for a bit…a while…

I don’t know if I’ve ever told my mother this, but her reading and speaking voice has always been one of my favorites. It’s soft and feminine and soothing. There are thousands of miles between us—me here on America’s soil and her living in the Motherland, but as my mom shared with me many of the chapters within her first book, without bias, I must admit that I have loved them all…for many different reasons, seasons and purposes. Some have caused me to see my mother, the woman, differently. We are similar in ways, but we are not the same. Some of her writings have forced me to take note of that and perhaps for the first time in my life, really honor it. Others have encouraged me to revere the legacy of family…more resolutely. The DNA that we share includes a long list of survivors…of many different things. The DNA that we don’t has shown us how to love those people, those who “stood in the gap”, more especially…just for doing so. “And then the chapters about me and my brother? Well, they moved me to tears because, for whatever reason, God saw fit that most of us don’t remember our conception, birth and foundational years.”To hear my mom recall ours with so much assurance that mothering, despite all of life’s twists and turns, was something that she was meant to do and that she was glad to do it, no matter what, well…it fills me with a sense of joy and peace that her womb was our home. My home. That it was where the Creator first wanted me to be…all along.

This book,while it is filled with one woman’s take on what home means to her, I think it will grab the attention of anyone who reads it because her gentle-yet-thoughtful prose beckons all of us to define home for ourselves in ways we may have never considered before reading it. At the end of this day, at the end of our lives, it’s not really about how much money you make, how many rooms are in your house or even totally who shares the space with you from chapter-to-chapter of your own unwritten autobiography. It’s more about knowing that everything serves its purpose and for every heart that’s willing, there is a memory that holds a lesson.

Yes. This is a book, but in the wise words of the late author, CS Lewis, “You don’t have a soul. You have a body. You are a soul.” If we could respectfully tweak that to fit what’s within these pages, “Where your body lives may be a house. When your heart resides? That is your home.”

Welcome to her heart. I hope it helps to lead you back home.

Shellie R. Warren (“Shellie Belle” to the author)
author of Inside of me ,lessons of lust,love redemption. (Revelvant books)

BOOK REVIEWS

Please vistie Gails website - Now this feels like Home

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About the Author:

Gail Masondo:

The definition of "home" presents itself in a myriad of different ways. Yet, life has taught Gail Masondothat dreams do as well. Since adolescence, this native of New York has always had a desire to help others by becoming a missionary. Life would not follow this path as originally envisioned. Gail, with a background in Social Sciences and Public Relations, would gain international success in the entertainment arena - a seemingly far cry from her first love.  Still, in hindsight, Gail has never lost sight of her passion of service as she has served in the "mission field of life" as a wife, mother, visionary, songwriter, executive producer, entrepreneur, public speaker, chaplain, counselor and now...first-time author of,  "Now this feels like Home - 25 life-gifts revealing the very essence of home. "

Grammy-winning Gospel artist, CeCe Winans says, "I have admired Gail for so many years and her great capacity to love others." It is that love, especially for fulfilling purpose, which ledher to start a successful management company with 10-time Grammy winning artists, Take 6, “Gail consistently thinks outside the box...and our time under her artist management proved to be our most fruitful.” Many "missions" transpired as a direct result. Legendary producer, Quincy Jones explains why: "Gail has tremendous vision and spiritual purpose." In 1992, she co-executive produced the highly celebrated LP, Handel's Messiah: A Soulful Celebration, which opened the door to other uniquely groundbreaking projects including Sisters,—a Christian women artist collaborative series, which consists of songs of hope, friendship, joy and encouragement. Also A Place of Hope—an album that celebrated the rebirth of South Africa through music that gave melodies to the struggle to freedom and the harmonies of a bright future. It was this project, which sent her on a life-altering journey to where this American now calls "home" in South Africa.

Although her work résumé has afforded her the privilege of meeting, and in many ways establishing relationships with influential people, it has been her heart for helping women that has miraculously opened new doors in a rapid pace in the heart of South Africa. Those close to her are not in the least bit surprised. One such project was her production of a Special Olympics fundraiser for African children at Carnegie Hall. Literary agent, Lynn C. Franklin, says, “Gail has a gift for making beautiful things happen for people in need, and for bringing awareness of those needs to the larger world.

Inspired and motivated by her profound faith, she creates these miracles with the loving power of her extraordinary being and with exquisite grace and dignity.”

Over the past few years, Gail has continued this love of community by becoming an advocate for women and children infected and affected by HIV/Aids, domestic abuse, and wounded and broken souls searching for emotional healing.

Sibongile Khumalo, South Africa's "first lady of song" once said, "At all times Gail has stayed true to what she believes in. She calmly focuses on the end result and some how manages to keep the 'troops' aligned." As a committed advocate for women and children's rights, Gail became a founding member with Ms Khumaloof the lobby group, "ISILILO: A Mother's Cry" and the  co-creator of "Brown Sugar Dreams"--an internationally-publicised doll initiative for young girls with the purpose of fostering positive self-esteem and cultural awareness. She is also founder of "Let Love Cover You," an annual retreat for professional women to be revived emotionally, physically and spiritually; and "Life in Recovery"---an on-going program for those seeking spiritual healing and restoration utilizing the Life Recovery Biblical Guide through the 12 steps.

"It is hard to imagine that she has not always been part of us," says South African television producer and businesswomen, Doreen Morris. "For, like the elders we treasure, we cannot imagine life without her. Home is our place of retreat and coming home to Africa has been just that for Gail. In sharing her personal journey, she challenges us to reflect on our own – we are privileged indeed!"

Of Gail’s many attributes possibly the most compelling is the most subtle, her personal faith and commitment to God. It is this living relationship, which enables her to accept difficulties as challenges and to move mountains in her quiet, patient fashion.

In this journey of rediscovering the essence of home, it has allowed me to smile from way down deep at just the way dots can connect when we allow life to give us the gifts of people, special occasions, and memories that warm our hearts, giving us the opportunity to give to the wider community. I’ve been fortunate and blessed to use my unique crayon of color to use on various canvases throughout my life. “Now, this feels like Home”, is my celebration… my crayon of color! – glm

Gail is married to acclaimed producer, arranger, song writer and bassist Sibusiso Victor Masondo and has two adult children, Shellie, a published author, sexual purity advocate and speaker and Jonathan, a South African Music Awards (SAMA) nominated songwriter, musician and producer!

Visit Gail's website at http://www.nowthisfeelslikehome.net/

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