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by Tracie Ball (Author)
When Your Mother Calls You Home is an autobiographical travel memoir that weaves the author's painful experiences with domestic violence, abuse, heartbreak, a near-death experience, loss, and trauma, with the beautiful tales of heart-opening human connection and cultural exchange that unfolded on her journey from Ecuador to the United Kingdom, on to Italy and finally India. From the first step, there was a Divine golden thread that connected everything, everyone, and ultimately led to her to the peace of acceptance.
Tracie was working on a reforestation project in the idyllic gateway to the Ecuadorian Amazon while the coastal borders of the country were in turmoil due to violent tensions between drug cartels and government. She felt relatively safe from external threats until February 7th, a day that forever changed her course-The day she was physically assaulted by the man she loved. Weighing the risks of solo travel in an uncertain world against staying in a dangerous situation, she made the difficult decision to leave and travel across the globe... alone.
In an Ecuadorian hostel, she found herself in the care of a sweet surrogate family while grieving and recovering. There, she began to excavate the patterns in her life, her relationships, and prayed for guidance. After odd omens, synchronicities, and a supernatural experience with an Amazonian shaman, a spiritual quest began to take shape.
On the way to London, when loneliness began to creep in, Tracie crossed paths with a wise octogenarian who gave her a master class in manifestation and changed her perspective spiritually by inadvertently demonstrating how the Universe responds when you explicitly ask for your heart's desire. He also changed her perspective literally, when he sent her on a quest to the top of a London cathedral.
While in London, she experienced miracles, small and large, and people began to show up in endearing and surprising ways. In Venice, as her self-confidence improved, she reconnected with wonder, awe, and the senses. A flirtatious younger man reminded her of the sweetness and innocence of romance. In New Delhi, a quasi-abduction attempt was her first introduction to India but her self-reliance in the situation strengthened her esteem instead of destroying it and she arrived in her final destination, the sacred city of Rishikesh.
In Rishikesh where she intended to deepen her yoga practice, she had her first encounter with the mystical Ganga River-an experience so profound it set a series of events in motion that healed a lifetime of unspoken trauma. One night, while having dinner with her favorite hotelier, he explained, "You don't need to come to Rishikesh to take a yoga course, or meditation class, or learn spirituality. You just book a room then walk straight out to Mother Ganga. She called you here. She knows what you need."
When Your Mother Calls You Home recounts the experiences of one woman who answered the call to return home and heal all of the things keeping her from the life and love she deserves.
