Have you ever wished for more money, especially at a critical time in your life? Most of us have. If you didn’t get your wish, you aren’t alone. If you’ve ever wondered how your life would have been different if you had gotten the money you needed, you might be surprised by the answer. Sometimes it takes a lifetime before we see that the reality often has turned out to be more gratifying and more meaningful than the wish ever could have been. The characters in this book each find their own way through life, on pathways sometimes rocky, sometimes smooth. At some point, they all must make a choice about which direction they’re going to take and whether to stop, go back, or move forward. Along the way, most of them enjoy themselves, their families, and their surroundings. The destination isn’t the only important thing in their lives; the journey itself adds immeasurably to reaching the destination.
This book is set in Appalachia, which is a fascinating place, beautiful and forward-looking at the same time it suffers exploitation and hardship. The same can be said for many places in this country and beyond. Whether you live in Appalachia or Arcadia, Anchorage or Altoona, Atlanta or Austin, you will recognize the characters in Journey of the Brass Bed because you know someone like them, or you yourself are like them. We all share the same hopes and dreams and the same sorrows and obstacles.
I hope you enjoy walking along with these characters and that this book encourages you on your own journey.
Elizabeth Barker