Goddess Fish Promotions Presents

Ordinary People: Extraordinary Lives
by Naguib Sami Kerba

A randomly drawn winner will receive a $20 Amazon/BN GC – Enter Below

Everyone has a story. A picture is worth a thousand words, but sometimes one needs words as well. ‘Ordinary people extraordinary lives,” does just that. I’ve combined a portrait with asking people four thought provoking questions about themselves. The portrait and their answers are a compelling read about life, its challenges and each individual’s journey. At the end of each chapter, each person makes one final observation learned from their journey.

4 out of 5

This was an interesting collection of photos and interviews. I liked that each chapter had a short introduction to who each person was, and why they were important to Kerba. Although not the most flowing prose, it was interesting to learn why he chose them, and how they impacted his life. Then there’s a short interview, followed by a powerful set of photographs, that really showcase his prowess as a photographer. The stories are deeply personal, and give us insight to who these people are at their core, and the ties and connections they share with Kerba, and how they’ve impacted his life. I enjoyed reading each story and interview, and although they’re fairly short, I felt like I got to know each person a bit by the end, and the photos were easily my favorite part. Pictures truly are worth a thousand words, and while this works well as a kindle book, I think to really get the full impact of the photography, you’d need to hold it in your hands as a paper copy.

SPIRITUAL TRANSFORMATION:

Raised as a Roman Catholic and having spent time in the seminary, I felt secure in my faith, armed with all the traditional Catholic answers. However, during the May 24th weekend in 1976, I unexpectedly ran into a relative on Yonge Street, someone I only knew from my grandmother’s old photographs. Three weeks later, he came for dinner and began discussing a book he was passionate about. I dismissed his enthusiasm with a skeptical “Bullshit,” and the conversation ended with him leaving me a copy of the book.

I started reading it, initially skimming the first fifty pages, but then I called him to tell him he’d never get it back. I couldn’t put it down, devouring 200, 500, then 800 pages. The book challenged me at every turn, and I even wondered if it was demonic. However, as I reached the later chapters, many early references were explained in greater detail. I finished the 2096 pages in six months, finding it hard to set aside. Now, nearly fifty years later, having read it multiple times, I find myself without the religion I once practiced but with an unshakeable faith. The book transformed my understanding of the divine and our relationship with it, revealing how current religious thought often remains primitive.

Lynda: The year was 1966. As a teenager, I enjoyed going to dances at Riverside Arena on Friday Nights. One night was extraordinary as I met a new guy. He came into the dance after ice skating. My friend knew him and introduced us. After the dance, my friend, her boyfriend, and this new guy and I went to Roma Pizzeria. He walked me home and asked me out. Of course, I said yes. Bob and I still go for pizza every November 18th to celebrate that night.

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While studying photography at Sheridan College, the gender imbalance was striking: 125 male students compared to just five female students. In our small cohort of eight, there were five men and three women. Summoning my courage, I asked one of the female students, Shirley, out on a date. She kindly declined, saying, “I’m not the girl for you, but I know the perfect one for you!”

Not long after, on May 2, 1974, I met Donna, Shirley’s neighbour. I immediately sensed that Donna was, in fact, the one, and my dating days had ended. We were married on November 6, 1976. Our relationship has blended differences and commonalities, with Donna being my harshest critic and greatest supporter.

Donna and I have raised two wonderful children. Tara is a devoted mother and teacher, while Christopher is a gifted musician. Their physical appearances and intellectual abilities reflect a strange combination of Donna and me. They are exceptional individuals who positively contribute to the world.

One of my long-standing dreams has been to publish a book of my photographs. The concept for this project has been developing for some time. Meeting individuals who can help bring such dreams to fruition is rare, but I was fortunate to forge a close friendship with Dan Bodanis, who has an impressive network. Dan connected me with the NHL Alumni group, which set the stage for my encounters with Paul Patskou, Graham McWaters, and Al Rose, all featured in this book. Dan also introduced me to Jude Pitman, the publisher at BWL Publishing Inc. (BWL).

This book is a heartfelt acknowledgment of the family and friends who have enriched my journey as a person, photographer, and now author. If true wealth is measured by the family, friends, and people we meet, I am indeed the wealthiest man alive.

The questions have been refined since the first “Essence portrait,” but the concept remains unchanged. The primary purpose is to gain a more profound understanding of the person by asking probing questions and encouraging people to share their stories and the lessons they’ve gleaned from their journeys.

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