Title: Gather Your Tribe
Author: Kathy Mosby
Publisher: Green Ivy Publishing
ISBN:
978-1-943955-33-6
Pages: 178
Genre: Memoir/Health
Today we are talking to Kathy Mosby, author of “Gather Your Tribe.”
PBR: When did you first realize you wanted to write your story?
Towards the end of my treatments. Many of the people in my Tribe started suggesting that I write a book. I was hearing from them how much they could hardly wait to read my emails everyday. The connection we experienced through my emails was very powerful. I also started hearing about the ways in which their lives were being impacted as I shared my journey with them. To realize that I might actually be able to help others by sharing my story truly inspired me to write Gather Your Tribe.
PBR: Has writing your book helped you cope with your situation?
Absolutely! Writing has always been therapeutic for me. I’ve journaled off and on since I was a young girl. Writing my emails during my journey pretty much became my journal during that time. Writing Gather Your Tribe helped me to truly see and remember the wonderful, valuable life lessons I experienced through all of this. Also, I sometimes can’t believe some of the challenges I went through! It sometimes feels like a movie I saw or a book I read. I think our minds have a way of blocking out some of the horribly traumatic experiences we’ve had in an effort to move forward. It’s a strange feeling when I read part of my book and think, “Wow, I can’t believe I really went through that!” Or, I’ll think, “I actually forgot that part!” In some ways it’s all a blur now. I feel very grateful that I wrote my book so quickly after the experiences took place. I’ve had other cancer patients tell me they wish they had their experiences in a book because it does all become a blur. It’s so traumatic at the time. It’s almost impossible to keep it all straight when you think about it months or years later, especially when you throw in the chemo brain factor!
PBR: Can you explain to us why you chose the title of the book?
My wonderful surgeon, Dr. Ellen Cooper, said, “Kathy, I know you’re used to being the mom and taking caring of everything. But now it’s time to gather your tribe and accept the help.” The title came to me immediately as soon as I decided to write my book. It stuck! I never once questioned that Gather Your Tribe should be the title!
PBR: Do you think your story will resonate with others, what is the message you would like others to take away from “Gather Your Tribe.”
Fortunately, from the feedback I’ve received, I know that it already has! My goal was to help at least one other person and gratefully I’ve already exceeded that goal. It brings tears to my eyes whenever I hear how someone has been touched, helped and encouraged by my story. This is my life’s purpose now; to help others who are experiencing extreme challenges, especially a cancer diagnosis. It’s incredibly humbling and rewarding. I have a few main messages. One is that you are stronger than you think! You CAN face your biggest fears (mine was chemotherapy) and receive some incredible insight and blessings when you do. Also, we all need our tribes and that’s okay! It’s okay to be vulnerable and allow others to love and help you. Your tribe can be one person or thirty. It doesn’t really matter. The point is, we’re all in this journey together and that’s a beautiful thing. One more message……if you have your health, you pretty much have it all! Treasure it!!
PBR: Can you explain to us what tools, or spiritual tools you used to help you through this difficult time?
Clearly, my emails to my tribe became an invaluable lifeline and outlet for me. Also, reading and watching spiritual literature and documentaries helped a lot. When you’re being challenged on every level, you need to feed your soul as much as possible. If you focus on the many lessons and blessings that occur during a challenging time, it’s kind of amazing! We tend to categorize challenging times as a “bad thing” because they’re so uncomfortable. I cannot categorize my cancer experience as a bad thing because so many wonderful things came out of it! All of our experiences are just life. We can always choose to make the best of them and find the wisdom and blessing hidden within the experience.
PBR: Do you see yourself writing another book in the future?
Not necessarily, but possibly. I keep toying with the idea of writing a book that’s titled something like “I Survived……Now What?!” Coming out on the other side of a traumatic time in your life is awesome, but there is definitely a feeling of “Now what?!” You’ve been dramatically changed in every way. Do you try to go back to your “old” life? Do you completely go for it and change everything? Do you find a place somewhere in the middle? These are questions I’m still grappling with today. It’s all such a big, wonderful, crazy adventure!!
To learn more about “Gather Your Tribe” please read the review at: Pacific Book Review
