Wainwright’s book tells story of life
Karen Lynn Wainwright tells stories from her book to a crowd at the Devonshire Arms on Friday, Aug. 19. Wainwright was celebrating the release of her memoir 'Coming Full Circle.' (Chronicle photo by Mike Cramer)
War, abuse and tragedy could break the spirit of even the strongest person, but not Martinsburg resident Karen Lynn Wainwright.
Wainwright has lived through all of these things, yet still remains a person who is described as kind, generous and loyal by those who know her best.
Wainwright is the author of the book “Coming Full Circle,” a memoir of the cyclical adventure that is her life. A labor of love for over 20 years, the book was recently released after Wainwright had having trouble deciding on an ending. Though she is now an author, Wainwright stressed that she is neither novelist nor journalist but rather a storyteller. Wainwright even held a signing and reading at the Devonshire Arms in Shepherdstown Friday, Aug. 19.
The book begins with Wainwright’s recollection of anti-Vietnam War protests she participated in when she was a teenager.
Living in Towson, Md., Wainwright participated in a rally on the Towson University campus. Her time as a protestor was short lived, however, as she was upset by what she believed was mistreatment of American soldiers returning from war. Wainwright then went on to join the United Service Organizations.
Later Wainwright would find herself in Paris, where she met her first husband, Omar. Omar was a refugee of the Lebanese civil war who found his way to France. Through Omar, Wainwright would travel to Lebanon where some of other defining moments of her life took place.
“I was in Bible class and our priest asked us if there was ever a moment where we could have died for our faith,” Wainwright recalled.
Wainwright then explained to her priest that she and Omar had been asked by a Syrian soldier at gunpoint while on the Muslim side of Beirut if she was Christian. Wainwright told the man she was. She fully believed she was going to die; however, the soldiers let them go. After hearing about this, Wainwright’s priest asked if she would mind writing down her experiences in Beirut. This is how her book began.
Wainwright then moved on to sifting through journals for stories about her life she wished to tell. This included life after Beirut when she became a mother and fought to bring her husband’s family over from Lebanon after seeing them in danger on the news.
“I sent a telegram to the White House which made it to the attorney general,” Wainwright said.
After her telegram arrived, the attorney general approved 90 more Lebanese refugees entry into the country, and Omar’s family was at the top of the list.
Soon after, Omar turned abusive, but, unwilling to risk his family’s deportation back to Lebanon, Wainwright did not seek to have him arrested. She divorced Omar and continued life as a single mother. Wainwright later remarried.
“I just couldn’t live like that anymore,” Wainwright said
Wainwright finished her book after an event happened in her life which she felt finally connected everything she had been through, but she said people must read the book to find out where her life has led her.
When not writing, Wainwright works at a soup kitchen and also enjoys helping at the Veterans Association where she bakes cakes every Tuesday. She is a proud mother who loves to listen to the work of her musician son.
Wainwright’s best friend, Bev Dewees, said she is proud to have her friend. She also described her as a caring and giving person who puts family and friends first.
“She is a loyal person Her loyalty overrides a lot,” Dewees said.
“Coming Full Circle” is available now from Amazon and Barnes & Nobles and is published under the name Karen Lynn. Wainwright hopes to take part of the proceeds from the book and buy her soup kitchen a new refrigerator.
Wainwright’s book tells story of life
Karen Lynn Wainwright tells stories from her book to a crowd at the Devonshire Arms on Friday, Aug. 19. Wainwright was celebrating the release of her memoir 'Coming Full Circle.' (Chronicle photo by Mike Cramer)
War, abuse and tragedy could break the spirit of even the strongest person, but not Martinsburg resident Karen Lynn Wainwright.
Wainwright has lived through all of these things, yet still remains a person who is described as kind, generous and loyal by those who know her best.
Wainwright is the author of the book “Coming Full Circle,” a memoir of the cyclical adventure that is her life. A labor of love for over 20 years, the book was recently released after Wainwright had having trouble deciding on an ending. Though she is now an author, Wainwright stressed that she is neither novelist nor journalist but rather a storyteller. Wainwright even held a signing and reading at the Devonshire Arms in Shepherdstown Friday, Aug. 19.
The book begins with Wainwright’s recollection of anti-Vietnam War protests she participated in when she was a teenager.
Living in Towson, Md., Wainwright participated in a rally on the Towson University campus. Her time as a protestor was short lived, however, as she was upset by what she believed was mistreatment of American soldiers returning from war. Wainwright then went on to join the United Service Organizations.
Later Wainwright would find herself in Paris, where she met her first husband, Omar. Omar was a refugee of the Lebanese civil war who found his way to France. Through Omar, Wainwright would travel to Lebanon where some of other defining moments of her life took place.
“I was in Bible class and our priest asked us if there was ever a moment where we could have died for our faith,” Wainwright recalled.
Wainwright then explained to her priest that she and Omar had been asked by a Syrian soldier at gunpoint while on the Muslim side of Beirut if she was Christian. Wainwright told the man she was. She fully believed she was going to die; however, the soldiers let them go. After hearing about this, Wainwright’s priest asked if she would mind writing down her experiences in Beirut. This is how her book began.
Wainwright then moved on to sifting through journals for stories about her life she wished to tell. This included life after Beirut when she became a mother and fought to bring her husband’s family over from Lebanon after seeing them in danger on the news.
“I sent a telegram to the White House which made it to the attorney general,” Wainwright said.
After her telegram arrived, the attorney general approved 90 more Lebanese refugees entry into the country, and Omar’s family was at the top of the list.
Soon after, Omar turned abusive, but, unwilling to risk his family’s deportation back to Lebanon, Wainwright did not seek to have him arrested. She divorced Omar and continued life as a single mother. Wainwright later remarried.
“I just couldn’t live like that anymore,” Wainwright said
Wainwright finished her book after an event happened in her life which she felt finally connected everything she had been through, but she said people must read the book to find out where her life has led her.
When not writing, Wainwright works at a soup kitchen and also enjoys helping at the Veterans Association where she bakes cakes every Tuesday. She is a proud mother who loves to listen to the work of her musician son.
Wainwright’s best friend, Bev Dewees, said she is proud to have her friend. She also described her as a caring and giving person who puts family and friends first.
“She is a loyal person Her loyalty overrides a lot,” Dewees said.
“Coming Full Circle” is available now from Amazon and Barnes & Nobles and is published under the name Karen Lynn. Wainwright hopes to take part of the proceeds from the book and buy her soup kitchen a new refrigerator.
Local News
Knitting expert spreads love for craft with children, adults through free classes
American Conservation Film Festival sees continued growth in 23rd year
