Story Tools

Email this story | Print this story

Indexes

Today's Stories

Last 7 Days

Top Blogs

• All pumped up

• Driver identified in fatal Lodi accident

• Identity theft suspect caught

• Lodi Chamber presentation spurs greenbelt debate

• Regional Roundup

November 21st, 2009

• Logbook

• Holiday drive spreads cheer to U.S. troops

• Galt High students want board to approve open-campus policy

• Poisoning victims remain hospitalized

• Expert: Half a mushroom cap can be deadly

• Tokay grad files claim over Lodi's Grape Bowl

• Lodi Middle School holds annual Turkey Trot

• Regional Roundup

• No motive or suspect in shooting

• Sacramento cop arrested for alleged kidnapping

November 20th, 2009

• Acampo woman killed

• Salvation Army Kettle Kickoff

• Advocacy groups sue East Bay Municipal Utility District over Pardee expansion

• Regional Roundup

• Galt plans to help residents with energy-efficient projects

• Stable southeast of Lodi approved

• One year after a heart attack, Lodi's Judy Mims thanks rescuers

• National Guard troops return home in time for the holidays

• Real estate market gets on more solid ground

November 19th, 2009

• Operation: Christmas

• Logbook

• Suspect arrested after hiding in fridge

• Chase ends in crash

• Galt Joint Union High School Distric hires new superintendent

• Sales tax hike yields dividends: 5 new officers join Galt Police

• Lodi Unified School District board votes to cancel summer school for 2010

• Water surges in Mokelumne River yield more salmon

• Lodi City Council will consider redevelopment next June

• Lodi City Council plans to cap number of taco trucks at 22

• Corrections

November 18th, 2009

• Regional Roundup

• Paranormal group conducts second investigation of building

• Congress allocates money for local water projects

• Sarah Palin's book hits the shelves: Locals react

• Lodi man finds wife's ashes during police display of stolen property

• Galt City Council rejects study on rent stabilization

November 17th, 2009

• Paying tribute to a Lodian

• Lodi Budget and Finance Committee to look into ways to save money on employee benefits

• Regional Roundup

• Decision on summer school expected at tonight's Lodi Unified School District meeting

• Clements gets free water rescue boat

• Redevelopment to be discussed by Lodi City Council again

• Court reinstates death penalty for killer of Lodi grad

• Clarification

November 16th, 2009

• Correction

• Public Meetings

• City Council 'triple-dog dared' to ditch cars, use Lodi buses

• Sierra Adventure store to close after four years in Downtown Lodi

• Lodi's First Sip event showcases area wineries' latest vintages

• Three members of Lodi-area family fall ill after eating poisonous mushrooms they reportedly found at Lodi Lake

• Regional Roundup

November 14th, 2009

• Galt school district narrows superintendent search to one

• Regional Roundup

• Despite budget cuts, some Lodi Unified School District salaries continue to rise

• Watchful neighbor in Lodi helped bust suspected burglars

• New Galt city manager juggles job, family

• Despite an increase in homeless students, school districts look to bolster enrollment, raise revenue

• A first look at 2009 vintages at Lodi's First Sip wine-tasting event

The following stories have received the most reader comments during the last 7 days.

• The country's mess is our fault (165)
• Obama is not a moderate (130)
• Sarah Palin's book hits the shelves: Locals react (70)
• Lodi City Council plans to cap number of taco trucks at 22 (48)
• The haves should help the have-nots (30)
• Public health care is a Christian option (29)
• Tokay in, traveling to unbeaten No. 3 Grant for football playoffs (25)
• Government-run health care is a bad idea (17)
• Young woman fatally shot at Acampo home (17)
• Sierra Adventure store to close after four years in Downtown Lodi (16)

ADVERTISEMENT

A story of hope

Local author publishes book with the aspiration to raise awareness of early onset of Alzheimer's disease

Sharon Souza has a passion for writing. A former teacher's aid at Century Assembly, she decided she wanted to publish a book. In 2004 her first book, "A Heavenly Christmas in Hometown," was published. Inspiration for her second book came from dealing with a friend who was diagnosed with early onset of Alzheimer's.

"Every Good and Perfect Gift," is due to be released on Tuesday. The 55-year-old Acampo resident hopes the book will help raise awareness of a disease that most think only hits the older population.

"It was the saddest experience in my life," said Souza. "With my experience, I want people to be aware that this (disease) is there."

Q: What is your book about?

A: Primarily it's a story about friendship — about two women who are about 40 and have been married for 20 years. Neither one has children but one wants to have a baby. The first part is about a journey of infertility. I address it all with some humor. Once the baby is born, some serious symptoms of illness materialize. The other friend becomes a caregiver to the child and the friend. The illness ends up being early onset of Alzheimer's. It is not a biography but it is based on events of one of my friends — not the infertility part but the early onset of Alzheimer's. She started showing symptoms at the age of 42. Within a few years, she knew nobody.

Q: What were some of the emotional challenges while writing the book?

A: In dealing with the infertility, that was never my problem but I always had a problem sustaining pregnancy. As far as the Alzheimer's, I'm just trying to get across the enormity of how devastating it is.

Q: Who or what inspires you to write?

A: I've never been one to want to write or read about simple topics or shallow books. I like to have a real substance to the story. That's the kind of thing I want to write about. I love contemporary women's issues.

Q: What do you hope this book does for others?

A: I really want there to be an awareness of early onset of Alzheimer's. Awareness brings its own hope.

Q: Do you have any other books you are working on and can you give us a sneak peek?

A: The next one, "Lying on Sunday," will be out in September. It is about a woman who is 42 years of age. She has two daughters going to college and is happily married. She gets a phone call that her husband has died in San Diego, but he was supposed to be in Dallas. It is about her trying to figure out what happened and why.

Q: Are there any other books in the works?

A: I'm working on another one, but it's in the early stages right now. It's about a woman who graduates from Bible college and goes into the missionary field. She ends up having a crises of faith because of what she sees.

Q: What is the last book you read?

A: "My Hands Came Away Red," by Lisa McKay. It was a fabulous story.

Q: What author do you admire most?

A: In Christian fiction, my favorite is Lisa Samson. I also love to read John Grisham and I've always been a huge fan of Charles Dickens.

Q: What is the best decision you have ever made?

A: I guess to let the Lord take control of my life. It has made all the difference in my marriage and relationship with my children. It had a huge ripple effect. Next to that, it would be marrying my husband.