Village People: Lola D. Smith from Maywood deals with trauma in new book

Lola D. Smith | Provided

Monday, July 8, 2024 || By Michael Romain || [email protected]

In a recent interview, Maywood native Lola D. Smith said she had always wanted to write a book. She originally planned to write a memoir, but that plan changed when her husband, Joseph E. Smith, died in 2018 at age 41.

Smith’s new book, “Mending Masculine Hearts: Navigating Trauma, Love, and Relationships,” describes her late husband’s mental health issues, her experiences with other life challenges, and their path to healing.

Smith, who lives in Villa Park, released the book in June for Men’s Health Month. She is hosting a book launch on Sunday, July 14, from 4 to 6 p.m. at White Smoke & Ash, 2301 Plainfield Rd. in Crest Hill.

Can you say a little more about your husband’s mental health problems?

I had been preparing to leave him for three years, but he didn’t know until about eight months before he died. That was a trigger and from then on I saw things go downhill.

I still tried to take care of him, but he didn’t want help. When I tried to get him to see a doctor, he was scared and thought the doctors would hurt him. It was a horrible experience that I didn’t see coming. I realized that during those three years, I thought I was going to leave my husband, but God was preparing me for what would ultimately happen.

How long were you all together?

We were together for over 20 years. Throughout our relationship, I always told him his pride was going to kill him. He didn’t want to deal with his emotional trauma and burden. He harbored these things inside of him and in the end, I saw them playing out in his mind. He lost his mind in a blink of an eye.

How did your husband die?

They said it was pneumonia, but I believe the trauma caused so many illnesses in his body. He had an enlarged heart and a thyroid disorder (among other health problems) when he died.

What effect do you want your book to have?

I hope this book is a source of strength and empowerment for anyone seeking healing, love, and encouragement to face their unspoken pain. I hope people of all cultures read this book, but I especially want people from the black community to use it to reclaim the abundant and genuine love and joy that is rightfully ours. I want it to be empowering to our people.

For more information about Lola Smith and her book, visit instagram.com/loveoflosts_You can buy the book on Amazon at a.co/d/4Xv92eb.