And Then It Happened ... - by Robert P Simpson (Paperback)

About the Book

From early childhood to parenthood, from elementary school to law school and beyond, these tales about life, love, family and friendship will inspire you to smile, laugh, love and evoke memories of your own.

Book Synopsis

Master storyteller Robert P. Simpson will regale you with fifty-five tales of family, friendship and love. He will remind you of the miracle of a baby's birth through the eyes of an adoring first-time father and the joy of teaching a child to ride a bicycle for the first time without training wheels. His tributes to his departed mom, dad and friends will bring you to tears as he remembers lessons learned and love shared. But those tears will turn to laughter as he describes phone calls with telemarketers and replacing missing honeymoon chocolates in the refrigerator of a friend. In the sweet voice of a child, he will bring you back to elementary school as he recounts his three-year quest to win the Gold Button for athletic prowess, only to learn later that another youngster at another school, George Stephens, will jump into the record book and teach him lessons about winning, losing, and friendship. He will remind you that love is color-blind for children. Young Robert and Lewis never knew that their skins were of different colors. These innocent kids only knew that they were friends, best friends. He shares the exploits of Jesse James, a middle-school bully who swiped hundreds of pennies a day from scared classmates in the cafeteria lunch line. You will despise Jesse until you hear of his Christmastime generosity. Jesse was bad, but he wasn't all bad! Get the tissues ready as he recounts how his mom was always there, always teaching, nurturing and loving, even as she was suffering from a debilitating illness. "You Can Still Love" will resonate with all parents who, in good times and bad, always put their children first. The tears continue, through smiles, as he learns about life over coffee with his dad at the morning breakfast table, and then again on the baseball field where lessons about baseball are really lessons about life. And, in a touching tale of friendship, he'll tell you why you should never cross a creek without permission. Bob's fans say that he paints pictures with his words and makes them read in color, and that is exactly what you can expect in the few hundred pages of And Then It Happened ..., beautifully illustrated in full color by Frank A. Mariani.

Review Quotes

" Mom, I love this book! It doesn't matter if you are 9, 45 or 65 it is a good heartfelt read!" Isabel ("Izzy") Augustino. Age 9

" Brought comfort to my heart and tears to my eyes. Thank you yet again!!!" (What's It Like Dad?) Vandy Winker Palazzo

" You really do worm your way into our hearts!" (Don't Let Go!) Sherrie Robbins

" Boy, that really hit me!!! Faith and wonderful memories keep us going!"(What's It Like Dad?) Maureen C. Mahoney-Vitello

" That is so sweet... and, now, I want pancakes." (Silver Dollar Pancakes) Peggy McCarthy Jenkins

" I can still hear my daughter yelling the same words ... about 35 years ago ... a very nostalgic story that all fathers can relive in their minds ... great story!" (Don't Let Go!) Larry Schiro

" Beautiful, read it crying but smiling." (What's It Like Dad?) Mary Jordan

" I love everything you write, but this was especially spectacular. You are a master with words and present the story perfectly. It is emotional, meaningful and powerful, and should be required reading in every school in the United States. The message is that important!!!!" (I Never Knew!) Alan Carrel

" Wow, I feel the tears welling up in my eyes, but then again, a big smile on my face. Feeling beautiful emotions from this tale, so thank you my friend for sharing with all of us." (What's It Like Dad?) Sandra Fabiano Supon

" You're killing me here Robert, I'm on my fourth beer and while reading your story my eyes are welling up!" (Faith, Family & Baseball) John Pellow, Sr.

Wow that really touched my soul, you have such a gift - keep using it." (What's It Like Dad?) Kathy Rubino

" I couldn't stop crying! Ever the most beautiful story!" (What's It Like Dad?) Crystal Garneau

" Robert thank you for the kind and loving words that you have shared about my brother and the friendship you shared. Reading your story has touched my heart and so glad to know that Lewis has not been forgotten. Thank you so much. True friends are so hard to find. God bless you and thank you again." (I Never Knew) Vanessa Scott

" You've brought me to tears. What a beautiful, bittersweet story." (Calling It A Day) Gayle Miller Kerman

" Bob ... I'm speechless. You pitched. Andrew hit it out of the park. Your connection bespeaks the richness that is possible in the human experience ... and so seldom achieved." (Calling It A Day) Mark Timon

" I have no words to adequately describe how this touched my heart. It definitely resonates with me. Moms are incredible." (You Can Still Love) Colleen Lauer Barone

"Once in a great while a student will touch your heart, as every teacher knows. Your story has love and respect sprinkled all over it. Beautiful." (Calling It A Day) Jennifer Gallagher

" Through tears I'm trying to comment but am at a loss for words. The love that flowed through your pen for your mother was felt in every word. What a gift." (You Can Still Love) Joy LeBrasseur Evans

" OMG!!!! Thank God everything worked out!! There were so many emotions in this story. It shows how we have to live every day to the fullest because it can change so quickly." (Dogs Are Like That!) Anna Bongiovanni

" Bob, I can't begin to tell you how deeply moving I found this recounting of those days over 10 years ago - touching and so full of what it means to be human, to suffer a frightening loss, face it all with courage and be an even more inspiring person to those of us lucky enough to call you our friend. Much Love." (Dogs Are Like That!) Vic Bahl