Today I welcome Alexia Fraser, debut author of the beautiful memoir, MEMORIES OF MOM:
From Alexia's bio,
Alexia Elizabeth Smart-Fraser was born in the beautiful island of Jamaica. After marrying her high school sweetheart Edward, she migrated to the United States .... As well, Alexia Fraser has written and produced three original non-fiction one act plays both off-Broadway and off-off-Broadway. “The Ryans,” “Dope the Endeavor” and “Blind Trust.” Her fourth play “Our God is Awesome” is not yet produced, but will be in the near future.
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| caribbeanbeachfun.com |
Kim: We like tropical islands here at SOS Aloha. Can you share your favorite sight, sound, and smell of Jamaica?
Alexia: My favorite sight is the lush vegetation bathing in Jamaica’s abundant sunshine against the backdrop of its turquoise seas. My favorite sound is Jamaica’s culture infused reggae music with its characteristically heavy bass line. My favorite smell is the aroma of freshly jerked chicken wafting through Jamaica’s warm, tropical breezes.
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Kim: I am curious the path you took to write and produce acts for off Broadway - how did it happen?
Alexia: I would audition for plays but no meaningful roles came my way. I decided to take matters into my own hands and scripted plays that I could have a role in. It was risky. It was costly. And what if nobody came. Well, they came. And they came in droves!
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| travelandfoodnotes.com |
Kim: Tell us about MEMORIES OF MOM - what was the hardest part to write?
Alexia: It was most difficult to write about the memory of my mother lying close to death in the ICU with all those machines hooked-up to her. I thought to myself, was I being selfish by having her on the respirator? Was I prolonging her suffering and the inevitable? I did not want to let go but I had such an overwhelming sense of peace when she was allowed to pass with dignity and grace.
Kim: What's next for Alexia Fraser?
Alexia: I have some ideas percolating. The book about my journey with my daughter through the world of dance. A possible play about an awesome GOD. But first things first. My focus right now is to make “Memories of Mom” a New York Times bestseller.
Thank you very much SOS Aloha for having me.
Alexia: It was most difficult to write about the memory of my mother lying close to death in the ICU with all those machines hooked-up to her. I thought to myself, was I being selfish by having her on the respirator? Was I prolonging her suffering and the inevitable? I did not want to let go but I had such an overwhelming sense of peace when she was allowed to pass with dignity and grace.
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| nytimes.com |
Alexia: I have some ideas percolating. The book about my journey with my daughter through the world of dance. A possible play about an awesome GOD. But first things first. My focus right now is to make “Memories of Mom” a New York Times bestseller.
Thank you very much SOS Aloha for having me.
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| This is a sample ... not the actual gift! maunaloa.com |
Mahalo, Alexia, for sharing with us. I am giving away a Hawaiian gift pack, one that you can share with your family, to one randomly selected commenter. To enter the giveaway,
1. Leave a comment about a special memory for your family. I remember every Christmas my English granny would visit us in Florida. She always brought an extra large Toblerone bar for me!
2. This giveaway is open to all readers.
3. Comments are open through Saturday, January 28, 10 pm in Hawaii. I'll post the winner on Sunday, January 29.
Mahalo,
Kim in Hawaii
To learn more about Alexia and MEMORIES OF MOM, check out her website at www.alexiafraser.blogspot.com.
I remember when we went our first big trip to visit some family in the Netherlands and Germany. We had so much fun.
ReplyDeleteWhen I was 11, we packed up the car, my Father had long service leave, & camped our way around AUSTRALIA. We traveled for months & became wizards at putting the tent up & down. It was indeed memorable.
ReplyDeleteI remember traveling with our collie dog. Her name was Teddy Bear and we would fight over who would sit in the back of the station wagon with her. We all wanted to.
ReplyDeleteOne thing my mother always insisted on we eat as a family on Sunday afternoon and then we would go visit family members.
ReplyDeleteThank you all for sharing :-)
ReplyDeleteAlexia
That sounds so heartbreaking. Thank you for sharing your story with us.
ReplyDeleteI remember as a kid my grandmother would take my mom, me and my brother to the Redondo Beach Pier a lot of weekends and we would go to the rides part of the pier where they had a Tilt a Whirl and my grandma would get in and spin us around like crazy. Then we would go and get some seafood to eat while overlooking the beach and then we would go play in the sand and water for a while.
We all moved away from California when I was 16 years old and right before my mom died my brother took her back to the pier where the Tilt A Whirl still is up and running and they had a seafood lunch and she was able to see the ocean again. They took pictures and she looked so happy to be there.
Hi Mary! Memories of Mom will make you laugh and you will certainly shed a few tears. You will also learn something vital. Thanks for your coment. Hope you pick up a copy of "Memories of Mom" Thanks again!
DeleteAlexia Fraser :-)
A special memory for me is when my parents and I would drive to Arizona to visit my grandparents. They lived in Lake Havasu outside of the town. At night we'd watch the sunset over the lake, and then when it got dark we would sit outside and stare up at the millions of stars we could see because there were very little lights around to block our view. My grandma fed a fox that would come to the house and I can remember seeing it arrive as we sat out on the patio. It grabbed the piece of meat my grandma had put out for him and then ran off. I love the memories of those visits.
ReplyDeleteHi Linda, Special memories are just wonderful. Thank you very much for sharing...Hope you pick up a copy of "Memories of Mom" Thanks again!
DeleteAlexia Fraser :-)
I remember visiting my grandparents when I was young, almost every Sunday. Different relatives would stop in and there was always laughter. I especially enjoyed the smells and tastes of her homemade bread or pizza and oh so many wonderful foods.
ReplyDeletecatslady
Hi Catlady, Thank you so much for sharing your special memory. I can smell the home made bred and pizza...so good!! Hope you pick up a copy of "Memories of Mom" Thanks again!
DeleteAlexia Fraser :-)
I have many memories of my Mother I think my favorite was Friday nights back in England ( I was a wee lassie ) If you know anything about English TV ( Before satellite ) back Way back you only had 3 stations ITV BBC BBC1 if you were posh you got BBC4 any way ITV hosted movie night John Wayne back to back Mom & I would sit with a bag of Chocolate eclairs ( Sweeties) Mothers favorite.
ReplyDeleteHow wonderful to put all your memories of your loved one in a journal then see it in print to share with everyone.. If Only I do have a few stories I wish I could have recorded them.
Have a good one Ann/alba.
Hi Alba, Great memory of yours. Thanks for taking the time to share. It is not too late to start writing. You can start your journal of memories now.
DeleteHope you pick up a copy of "Memories of Mom" Thanks again!
Alexia Fraser :-)
i lived with my granny and granfather and mother. so i had it made it every holiday
ReplyDeletelove the gift pack
Hi blackroze37, Thanks for sharing!! It is so nice to talk about special memories.
DeleteHope you pick up a copy of "Memories of Mom" Thanks again!
Alexia Fraser :-)
your book sounds wonderful! and a bit sad. i have my parents and siblings and i cant imagine losing any of them. my mom and i are very close, were best friends in fact. i remember a day when it was so hot! my dad had redone our kitchen (in all wood) and we always had to becareful that we didnt spill anything or get water all over. i remember my siblings and i walking into the kitchen and seeing my dad and mom standing at the kitchen sink, my mom had pitchers of water in her hand and my dad had the sink hose. the water flew everywhere! we had a water fight. it was so much fun! we grabbed glasses, we ran to the bathroom and filled them up, my brother got his water gun and we had a war. i remember using the floor later for a slipping slide. the house was such a mess, water everywhere! the cleanup sucked but i wouldnt have had it anyother way. i remember all the laughter, the joy, the coldness! its one of my favorite memories. ;)
ReplyDeleteTo shadow_kohler, Thanks for sharing your special memory. "Memories of Mom" is indeed wonderful! It will make you laugh and it will make you cry. You will also learn something vital. Hope you pick up a copy of "Memories of Mom" Thanks again!
DeleteAlexia Fraser :-)
i dont have a special memories to share about my family but i can say that i love my family ;)
ReplyDeleteHi Eli...Thanks for your comment. It is really all about LOVE! Hope you pick up a copy of "Memories of Mom" Thanks again!
DeleteAlexia Fraser :-)
I have wonderful memories of a favorite uncle who used to give me allergy shots. He and my aunt would invite me to dinner once a week. They'd feed me, give me my shot, and goodies to take home. He had a marvelous sense of humor that I miss.
ReplyDeleteHi Karen...thanks for your comment. It is so nice to share loving memories. Hope you pick up a copy of "Memories of Mom" Thanks again!
DeleteAlexia Fraser
As a kid our grandparent's would visit and we laugh as we remember my grandfather who would be there with a garbage bag as soon as you unwrapped a present.
ReplyDeleteThanks Maureen for your comment..special moments should always be remembered. Not just about Mom or Dad but everyone.:-) Hope you pick up a copy of "Memories of Mom" Thanks again!
DeleteAlexia Fraser
A special memory was when we left our home and old friends in Nebraska and moved to Oregon when I was a very young girl. My parents stuffed all six kids in a station wagon with two dogs and a cat! What a trip. Not everyone thought it was great but we all were together and made some good memories along the way!
ReplyDeleteThanks for sharing your memory of a special time spent with your parents. There is no feeling better than having a loving memory of your loved ones. :-) Hope you pick up a copy of "Memories of Mom". Thanks again!
DeleteAlexia Fraser
A special memory was when we all went to the park every weekend and spent a few hours having fun.
ReplyDeleteThere are few better things to read than a really good memoir. MEMORIES OF MOM sounds wonderful and I would love to read it.
ReplyDeleteCheers!
Amy Harlib in NYC
aharlib@earthlink.net