About the Authors of It was My Star

Theresa Gooch

    As 2001 was coming to a close, I began to reflect back over the year, feeling the pain our family and nation had experienced with the loss of precious people in our lives. I felt the heartbreak of thousands of kids reacting to September 11 and the reality of death in our own family with the death of two brothers.
    How could I reach children with a message of love that would soothe their broken hearts? I began to develop a program that worked with the child from the inside out. A program that affirmed to kids they are perfect, loved, and powerful no matter what happens in their lives and no matter what anyone might say to them. One day, as I pictured myself telling a story to children around a campfire, the messages came to me in a story that ultimately developed into the book. As the story unfolded, I decided to write it down and then realized this was a way to touch children with loving, positive messages. I set out to find a poem and an original song reverberating the same messages as my story to include in a book. Those pieces fell miraculously into place within a short period of time.
     Barbara Irvin (co-author) has been an angel, supporter and dream catcher for me this past year. I emailed her my story and asked if she could write a poem with the same messages as my story. I was so surprised when overnight Barbara emailed back her poem, which is now printed in the book. It was perfect!!! Next I needed a song. I spoke with Gina Edge, a friend of my daughter, who composes music, plays and sings beautifully. I asked if she would be game to compose a song for my story emphasizing the same messages. She was excited and within in a few weeks sent me her recorded CD, which was perfect for the book as well.
    The illustrator, Vanessa Keys, appeared as miraculously as the other angels that are a part of this book. At this point it was clear that something higher than myself was guiding this project and I just needed to keep moving forward. I had a huge dream, a passion and a purpose and all I knew was to keep taking the next step as it presented itself.
    It Was My Star was born out of a burning desire to reach children, especially those who are hurting. It manifested into form in miraculous ways. I am in awe as I hold this book, and so grateful that we are heard and guided as our intentions become a physical reality. It is my hope and greatest desire that all children, everywhere, hear this message and believe it with all their hearts. Children are the essence of life, and the child in us is our true essence that blossoms when we know we are truly loved.

Barbara Irvin

Barbara Irvin, longtime Ashland resident, mother of three and grandmother of six, is thrilled to have been able to realize her dream of producing a children's book. An aspiring writer and occasional poet, she had been focusing on several other projects when the opportunity to help Theresa arose. Initially, she responded to her friend Theresa's request for a poem and was just happy to offer encouragement and support to her. Later, as she became more involved with the project, Barbara assumed the role of co-author. Now she is full of ideas about the potential future of the delightful characters created by illustrator Vanessa Keys of Harbor!
A retired emeritus professor of nursing, Dr. Irvin taught with Oregon Health & Science and Southern Oregon Universities for many years. She still teaches clinical nursing with OHSU on a part-time basis in the areas of family and mental health and has published articles in her research areas of family stress and care giving. Additionally, Irvin facilitates personal effectiveness development through a variety of coaching seminars and healing modalities. Her goal is to help people achieve their dreams of greater health and well-being in all areas of their life.