Review: Growing Up With Issues
Rating: 5 out of 5
Date: 09 23, 2012
Laying on death's bed from longtime drug addiction and a brain tumor, Johnny is 34 years old, and thankful that his step 'Mama' is there to hold his hand in love.  Johnny's life story is written through the heart and mind of his half-brother, author Greg Allen. As a step-mom myself of four boys, I really felt that I was the real 'Mama' in this story; especially having  difficulty with our oldest boy who was much like Johnny.  Like Johnny, our son, at the same age, was taken to the barber for a crew cut ... a very short one.  Taken by me.  He could yell all he wanted, "I hate you!" but the response I always gave him was, "Well, I love you!"  I know how hard the task is for step-moms; but we worked really hard, 'Mama' and me.  Though I find tears running down my cheeks as I read this poignant story by Greg Allen, I admire his strength to write this story so well as his older brother and the hard life he experienced.  This is a must-read memoir for everyone who thinks life is easy for kids, or for their parents when a child is so rebellious and who alienates himself from even all of mankind.  I'm sure the author shed a few tears also as he wrote this heartfelt story.  I highly recommend this novelette.