“Faith doesn’t get you around problems in life and relationships, it gets you through it.”
Note: This is not a picture of the author...but I thought this child looked like what Jonathan might have looked like while he lived with his grandparents in Jamaica...
"I have learned a lot about the importance of doing good and not bad from my grandparents, but I still did not really care until grandma started locking me inside the house. Nevertheless, I still did whatever, whenever, because all I had to do was call on Doctor and he would help me and then talk to me about the things I was doing wrong. Like stealing fruits and vegetables from another person's yard.
"I drove around a lot with my grandfather because he was like a taxi driver and I loved driving his car. Mario Kart, the video game, was not enough for me; I wanted to experience what it was like to drive in real life. So whenever I went out with him, I sat on his lap and grabbed the steering wheel.
"While I was the driver, I listened to music, moving and jumping up and down while my grandfather pressed on the gas and brake pedals. People looked at us as if we were crazy because we would drive fast with four hands on the steering wheel.
"I loved being with grandfather... However, holding me close one day on his lap, Doctor told me something like this: 'I love you and will be with you always, Jack. When one man says I hate you, remember, Jack, I love you. If you ever need me, call me, because I am here for you. Do not run from any man or problems or else many more may come your way...
~~~
Neglected But Undefeated
The Life of a Boy Who Never Knew
a Mother's Love...
By Jonathan Anthony Burkett
I wanted to share this review on Friday so those who read it will have the opportunity to spend time over the weekend thinking... thinking about a little boy who never knew a mother's love...
Now, my father was killed while my mother carried me, so you could say that I never had a father's love...
But, you see, Jonathan's mother was living in the same house at the time...
This is the story of a little boy who was pulled out of the arms of loving grandparents, brought to America, and lived in hell thereafter... It is not a story that is easy to read... But if you care about children, you...simply...must...
|
"I was just staring at her, knowing what was coming, and I was right. She began walking away while tell me to wait right there in the living room for her. Next thing I knew, she came back with an extension cord that had been connected to the television..."Stretch out your hand," she then told me.
"Why?" I asked.
"You don't need to know why. I'm your mother, and what I tell you to do, you must do it without any if, ands, or buts," my mother replied.
"I stretched it out, and then immediately--whop! The pain was unbelievable. The sting had me going crazy and screaming. I put my hand between my legs as I tried to fight the pain. Tears began coming out of my eyes like crazy, and I couldn't even think of what I should do to get myself out of this.
"She ended up hitting me about ten more times, which made me drop to the floor because I was in so much pain, and then she sent me to my bedroom and told me to stand in the corner until she told me I could move. When I looked at my arms, I saw that my skin was swelling up with the imprint of the extension cord on it.
"And hour later she came into my room, turned off the lights, and told me good night.
"Can I go to sleep now?" I asked.
"No. Bad boys deserve to be punished, so you're going to stand right there in the corner until you drop down and die," she replied.
"I don't know what time it was in the middle of the night, but I got tired of standing. So I sat down right there in the corner and then fell asleep.
"In the morning, when she saw me in the corner sleeping, my mother didn't even say good morning or ask if I was all right. She just began beating me, saying, "Didn't I tell you to stand in the corner?"
~~~
Jonathan's story of abuse makes up the majority of this book. It was obviously cathartic for him, and may be for many others. But it is clear that God was watching this boy. I don't know how he survived, he did and the ending of his book includes a beautiful testimony.
Jonathan began to write to relieve some of the tension of his life. The most memorable thing for me is when his grandfather called to speak to Jonathan and his mother did not allow it. His beloved grandfather died shortly thereafter, but nobody told Jonathan, explained anything to him...He had lost the one person in his life who had provided him unconditional life.
Kicked out of his home quite often, it was fortunate that Jonathan was well liked by the people around him--his friends would take him in. But he often walked the streets... Jonathan was a child from rape and his mother never let him forget it, often calling him by his real father's name while she beat him. He did have a stepfather, but he was not strong enough to deal with what was going on...
This is an extremely well written biography, so well written that there is nothing to distract readers from the horror of this boy's life. But, then you read his strong words... he is "Undefeated!" This book needs to be read; this story needs to be shared... Even if you cry while you read most of it, like I did...
GABixlerReviews
Jonathan Anthony Burkett was born February 1, 1987. He is a brightoutstanding writer inspired by many, as he continues to struggle in life. Devoted for achievement in his lifetime, he is willing to take any test. He told himself, that he would never give up no matter the trials and tribulations. He decided to write to help him move towards a bright future for himself; and because he knows that's what his Grandparents want for him.
Jonathan Anthony Burkett life changed dramatically the year 2005 after he had survived a surgery that, he was told would better his life. Miraculously it did, along with his mind about life. A young man now, dedicated towards achieving goals in life, without his GED/High School Diploma, he had now looked at himself as in the world.
Having the urge now to get himself back into school to get either his GED/High School Diploma, Jonathan held back from it because his mind was to blocked up with all of the problems that he was having still in his life. After days of thinking about how he was going to handle all of his living problems, he had gotten the idea to just find a good job, and to save up until he was able to provide everything that he needed, so that he may feel uplifted and then ready to strive for success. However, mistakes were made and jobless he became once again. That’s when he remembered what he had told himself, what he wanted to do if he survived his surgery, and that was to share his life story with the world for many to see how merciful our father God is, to his children.
In the future Jonathan will be of course writing more books along with having goals on becoming a scriptwriter, songwriter, actor and more things that he loves to do as doors begin to open up for him.
Patiently Jonathan is still waiting, for if it was meant to be, victory will be in one of his open doors that he, will someday walk right through.
|
Glenda ~
ReplyDeleteThank you for posting your memorable review of Author Jonathan Anthony Burkett's inspirational and sad memoir, 'Neglected but Undefeated.' God surely had a purpose for his life. This story of his survival is on my TBR list of books to read.
Charlotte M. Liebel / @Sharliebel
Sharliebel...make sure you have a box of Kleenex near by! After I read his book, I agree...There sure had to be a plan for Jonathan...Don't you wonder where he'll wind up??? LOL
DeleteBest,
Glenda