Marjorie Belson is a quintessential New Yorker. Born in New York City in 1945, she received both her undergraduate and graduate degrees from the City University of New York. As a single mother, she chose to teach early childhood education rather than work on Wall Street.
Motivated by her experience, she started writing this book in 2004.
“It was a story I knew, and became important for me to tell. It was something to put my creative energy to, and a way for me to get beyond where my life was at the time. For two years, I drank Vodka and cranberry juice and wrote the book.”
“I had an opportunity to reach others and help them rethink and reevaluate their personal struggles. I could empathize with them – I’ve been there. I wanted them to know that they have a shot at the rest of life.
“I was 55 – I accepted my illness, but didn’t give up. I let my friends be angry. It doesn’t mean that you don’t curl up in a ball and cry. You don’t know if you can trust your body after that experience. The best we can do is to be on the alert.”
Marjorie is already planning a sequel, which will be a narrative on the next phase of her life, Tentatively titled: “And Then the Sun Came Out and I Hated It.” It will chronicle her meeting the love of her life, her move to the West Coast, and the continued adventures of her son Matthew, and, of course, mother-in-law Maxie.
Her interests include New York Special Olympics for which she has been a volunteer and fundraiser. She was a featured speaker at Long Island’s Cancer Care Gold Coast Gala in 2008. She has also spoken about breast cancer reconstruction on television having been interviewed by Dr. Max Gomez of NBC. She has been a mentor to women undergoing mastectomies.
Her personal hobbies include tennis, gardening, reading, cycling and taking healing trips to Atlantic City casinos with Maxie.
