Title: The Help Chronicles
Author: R. Jay Berry
Publisher: XlibrisUS
ISBN: 9781669862062
Pages: 124
Genre: Inspiration & Spirituality
Reviewed by: Rae Capri

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Life is full of surprises. Sometimes we are automatically assigned roles within a family dynamic that makes sense. When family members are in serious need, we pitch in and help however we can. Usually, a parent handles that role regardless of how old the child becomes, as parents would always do for their children. In other cases, it could be adult children helping their parents or their siblings in the absence of parents. Roles switch and become appropriate in different situations, sorting themselves out in more ways than one. Help should always be offered with a smile because there will always come a time when we need each other.

In The Help Chronicles by author R. Jay Berry, readers learn about the Standferd family, who are strong-willed and have a deep connection in their faith with God. Geraldine and Riley Standferd are the matriarchs and patriarchs of this beautiful family of six, consisting of two sons named Riley Jr. and Renard and two daughters named June and Shanelle. Geraldine, also called Gerry for short, handled everything to ensure her husband and children received all her help, when necessary, while Riley was in charge of family financial needs. The children had an extraordinary childhood growing up into their adulthoods, as each of them made their parents proud of the life they led. Love was an expression through the family’s loving actions towards each other in the same breath of gratefulness and patience. Not only were they prayerful individuals, but they also knew that God was always there for them, no matter what.

As humans, we are only as strong as our communities can be, especially when we need help from others. Through Gerry’s helpful nature, she took on the challenges necessary to keep her family from struggling with whatever ailed them, with health being the main culprit. With the children now adults, one would think parents don’t have to be as hands-on anymore, but surprisingly it becomes a lifetime privilege. Even though Gerry wasn’t feeling 100% her best, she put her family’s needs above hers because that is what mothers do. She did everything she could with whatever knowledge and strength she had, all while leaning on God to keep going. She helped whenever her adult children were either ill or were hospitalized and on the road to recovery. She made certain things go as smoothly as possible. Like a true loving mother, everyone else’s needs became most important and of top priority. But anyone would know the more you push past your pain and lack of paying attention to your health, it will eventually catch up with you the moment you begin to slow down. Not thinking anything of it, while Gerry became caretaker for her husband, she sensed a bit of discomfort that she placed on the back burner. Her attention and energy went towards being a supportive wife to assist Riley as he began showing signs of early-onset Alzheimer’s. Helping to the best of her abilities with God by her side, she seemed unstoppable. Of course, we can only do so much before physical and emotional tolls take turns for the worse.

One thing which stood out the most was the mention of the strong faith in God that the Standferd family had. Regardless of what happened, praying meant a lot to them because they knew God would answer. As they always say, “A family that prays together, stays together,” which showed some accuracy in this story. Anytime something was out of their control, they prayed for things to work themselves out and accepted that things were meant to be however God saw fit.

This story demonstrates how everyone with the capabilities of being the help of a family plays an important role. The role of a helper is not taught but is an instinctual role

fulfilled by an appointed individual. A few parts of this book resonated with me, including the health ailments mentioned which some characters experienced. It was an eye-opener as to what would happen in a family dealing with sickness. The author did amazingly with invoking necessary emotions which allow readers to connect to the characters on an emotional level. Character development was over and beyond with making you feel part of their family. Very descriptive settings that you can almost feel the environment in some scenes, a true page-turner.

I highly recommend The Help Chronicles to others needing a great story that would ground and humble them, with an opportunity to understand more about the helper’s role in the family.