The House that Gaylord Built

The author draws from her experiences as a child refugee, her travels around the world, the gifts that her mother gave her and her fearless attempts to change her world. Part memoir, part personal dialogues with the dead, the book provides a clear picture of survival in the most difficult circumstances.

The author lives in an ever-changing world, full of challenges and disappointments. She finds her comfort in the ghost that lives in this one room of her Santa Fe House. The ghost built and lived in this house until his death and clearly makes his appearance one night partly in gratitude for her restoring the house to its glorious beginnings. The encounters become more frequent and rewarding for both, finding solace in her despair and confidence to forge forward. In so doing, the author reveals many important episodes of her life, imparting knowledge and counsel to those readers who often find themselves without a clear path to take.

The book begins with a peasant name Jose saving the life of this child that is near dead. Vignettes from her childhood, the hardship encountered when she is forced to leave Cuba in an freedom airlift that brought 15,000 children to the U.S. She often finds herself alone making difficult decisions as to where to go and how to face hardships. She finds solace in this ghost of the built the house and lives in one of the rooms. The author seeks advice from him and comfort in facing difficult decisions.