The Space Between the Stars by Deborah Santana

One Sunday a few weeks ago, I was watching a PBS station and an author, Deborah Santana was discussing her book "The Space Between the Stars."  I jotted down the title and made a mental to browse it online. 

At the time I was reading "The Four Agreements" by Don Miguel Ruiz - a book I'd had for years, but just recently felt the need to read it.   In it's introduction is mentioned the "space in-between" and he was referring to the stars - and I thought to myself "hey, this cannot be a coincidence; because I do not believe incoincidences."  

At that point, I felt compelled to have "The Space Between the Stars" I went to ebay and  found it at a reasonable price.  In less than a week, I had it in my possession.  Needless to say, it is a wonderful book by the ex-wife of the rock/blues icon Carlos Santana.   

I recently learned they are now divorced after 34 years of marriage and three children together.  She is a very colorful and poetic writer.  Her story telling is musical, warm and spiritual.    

Deborah Santana and I have from what I've read so far, two things in common.  She has worked for a "phone company" right out of high school and she grew up in a Pentacostal church as a child which instilled the fear of God in her at a very young age. 

It is not a book that I want to rush through.  It is loaded with details and feelings about the things that have happened to  her throughout her life that have made her who she is today.  I want to take my time reading it;  to savor the words on the page and picture the scenes in my minds eye.  I can already feel it's a story I hope, will never end.

I am currently reading about her first date with Sly Stone with whom she ended up falling deeply in love with.  He in turn did not appreciate her and ended up treating her very badly to put it mildly. Really there is no mild side to that type of behavior.  If he's still living he should be ashamed of himself. Deborah's mother wrote her a beautiful poem summarizing her short but tumultuous relationship with Sly Stone.

Right after Sly; she fell very hard For Carlos Santana who in comparison seems to be a kinder and gentler soul.  They are on a spiritual journey together and madly in love with life and each other. 

The story of her life is very engrossing not just because of the musicians she's been with but because of her spirit and strength.  Even while she's with Carlos, in the back of her mind she's thinking what she needs to be doing for herself.