Last year, the words of Poplarville author Mary Beth Magee were read by millions of “Chicken Soup for the Soul” fans.
Her first story, “Thanks to My Mom,” was published in the popular anthology’s “Thanks to My Mom,” edition.
Her second contribution was also inspired by her mother and is entitled, “The Greatest Parade.”
It is featured in “Chicken Soup for the Soul: The Spirit of America: 101 Stories about What Makes Our Country Great.”
According to a release from “Chicken Soup for the Soul,” this compilation of personal stories revisits the patriotism and unity of 9/11. Contributing writers also wrote stories about their favorite American traditions, military personnel and first responders, the American flag and why they’re proud to be an American, the release states.
However, Magee decided to honor another type of American, those who exhibit compassion.
She based her story on her experience in 2005 when Magee traveled from Illinois to West Monroe, Louisiana to pick up her mother, Mary Catherine, after Hurricane Katrina devastated the area.
“I cried most of the way down from seeing streams of people coming to help,” she said. “I wanted to do it about them. To me, people coming down to help reflected the spirit of community and that’s what makes America great.”
So instead of describing a typical parade, Magee wrote about the groups of compassionate individuals who donated their time to help others in their time of need.
“The convoy of people and equipment continued down the road toward the most heavily stricken areas of Mississippi and Louisiana and my prayers went with them,” Magee wrote in “The Greatest Parade.” “These folks and residents of all those little towns along the interstate demonstrated the best of American spirit; the willingness to reach out to those in need. Every one of them was a hero in my eye.”
Magee said she is thrilled about her second appearance in the series and that she was able to share different aspects of her relationship with her mother.
“It’s a valuable thing to have something so positive when there’s so much negativity,” Magee said. “Chicken Soup for the Soul brings encouragement and I’m all in favor of supporting that.”
More than 100 million books have been sold in the United States and Canada with translations in more than 40 languages, the release states.
A portion of royalties from sales of the book will be donated to the Bob Woodruff Foundation, Stand Up for Heroes, which provides health and social services for veterans, the release states.
Bob Woodruff’s wife, Lee, wrote the book’s forward. Bob Woodruff was wounded while serving as a reporter with the Army in Iraq, the release states. The foundation is the couple’s way of giving back to those serving in the military.
Learn more about “Chicken Soup for the Soul” at www.chickensoup.com, through Twitter @chickensoupsoul and through Facebook at “Chicken Soup For the Soul.”