(Enlarge) Bernadette Moyer, director of development at the Monsignor O’Dwyer Retreat House, in Sparks, wrote a book that contains a series of essays that document times of heartbreak and happiness in her life. Moyer will donate all proceeds from the sale of her book to renovations at the retreat house. (Photo by Phil Grout)

In the introduction to her book "Halfway Home, the First 50 Years," Bernadette Moyer quotes a friend who said, "You are only as sick as your secrets."

If that saying is true, Moyer is a healthy person these days.

Her book, published last month, contains a series of essays that chronicle her heartbreak and happiness.

Readers learn about her first husband's death when she was just 23 with a 2-year-old child; the reason for her estrangement from her mother; her anguish over her daughter who left the family for good instead of going to college; and her deep faith that has helped her survive.

There are also lighter essays about her friends and mentors, vacations, her new husband and his twins.

"You don't get to pick and choose what happens to you, but I try to handle what's happened to me with grace," said Moyer, who turns 50 in October. "I'm naked on Main Street with this book. It's all out there for everybody to read and I hope there are lessons and riches in each story."

Each essay is followed by a blank page that invites readers to write down their thoughts. Each is headed up by a question like, "What are you most thankful for?" "What lessons did you learn from your grandparents?" and "What is your greatest disappointment in life?"

Moyer, who lives in Lutherville with her husband, Brian Sahm, and 17-year-old, Brandon, is director of development at Monsignor O'Dwyer Retreat House in Sparks, which serves 8,000 Maryland teens a year. She is donating all proceeds from the sale of her book to renovations at the retreat house.

Michael Ciattei, who works with Moyer, gave the book to his mother and both his parents ended up reading it.

"The author's reflections show the courage of a remarkable woman who grew stronger and deeper in her faith as a result of the life lessons she lived, both happy and sad, good and bad," said Debbie DiPino-Ciattei, of Jarrettsville. "The book exemplifies hope."

"Halfway Home, the First 50 Years" is being sold for $20 at Amazon.com, as well as at 5 Wacky Women, a gift shop in Cockeysville. Moyer will be at the store signing books Sept. 24 from 6 to 8 p.m.

Store owner Aimee Smith learned of the book from Joy Crimmins, who took the cover photo and works across the street from Smith's store.

"As soon as I heard about it, I knew we needed to do a book signing," she said. "Women who have already experienced a lot in their lives will really appreciate the book."

Smith said her store will donate 20 percent of sales of items other than the book during the book-signing to the Retreat House as well.

5 Wacky Women is located at 10255 York Road, near Talbots Outlet and Vito's Café, in Cockeysville.

To contact Moyer, go to bmoyer@archbalt.org or bmoyer37@aol.com.

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