Author
Jeanne Messer
Jeanne Messer is a late-blooming author, RN retiree, mother of 3, grandmother of 7, and great-grandmother of 4.
Jeanne is enjoying 42+ years of marriage to her husband, Steve. Jeanne and Steve reside in Charlotte, North Carolina.
Jeanne suffered numerous episodes of childhood abuse, developing an angry persona. Jeanne kept people at a distance which resulted in isolation and sadness. Through the expertise of professional counselors and the healing touch of the Providence Road Church of Christ family, she was able to follow the example of loving “sisters” and became a new creation in Christ. (2 Corinthians 5:17)
Jeanne was the Female Ministry Leader of Celebrate Recovery for 5 years and an active participant for 16 years. She credits that program for much of her personal growth.
Jeanne wrote Brutus The Junkyard Dog in 2007 during therapy to resolve anger issues. During Covid-19, she resurrected the story and brought it to new life.
The theme of Brutus the Junkyard Dog is: Harm – Grief – Hope – Transformation – Triumph – Serenity.
Jeanne expresses gratitude to all those who were professionals, encouragers, partners in her journey, and lovers of spirituality. Her goal in writing this book was to encourage behavioral change when one is locked into negative thinking.
Jeanne states: “P.S. Oh – yes – I was once like Brutus but now I am new and beautiful, too. How did this happen you ask? I found God.”
Illustrator
Atenas Hidalgo
Atenas Hidalgo is enrolled at Butler High School in Matthews, N.C., after moving from Venezuela two years previously. Atenas had her work published in the school newspaper and won an award for one of her paintings titled “Family”.
The world of art inspired her in its many forms and senses. She enjoys music, traveling, reading, drawing and painting.
She feels privileged to be part of this new experience as an illustrator.
She thanks her parents, Wilcar Hidalgo and Jessika Peraza, for their continued support and her art instructor, Melody Nickle for choosing her to work alongside the author, Jeanne Messer. She has created the illustrations within this book with much love and devotion to the theme and message of this story, Change Is Good. (harm – sadness – hope – change – healing – sharing)
Atenas states: “I know this story will reach your hearts as it did mine.”
