Outta the Blue By: Helen Hyche-Freeman Outta the Blue is a memoir that begins with Helen Hyche-Freeman’s parents and grandparents during the Great Depression era, World War II, and the Jim Crow South. That period in history was hard for everyone, miserable for many, and unbearable for others, especially African-Americans just coming out of slavery. The message in this book represents a part of history that many would prefer to forget but unfortunately, we are still learning lessons that were not learned at that time because many chose to forget and the mindset just swept it under the rug. The lives of black families from that period are rarely written about. There are many entries of struggle in this book that Helen either lived through and dealt with and/or overcame due to personal strength of character from God, perseverance, tenacity, the will to overcome, learning from mistakes and failures, God’s guidance, protection, and presence, which have been constant in her life. God is real. We must trust him, have faith in him, obey his commands, and repent of our sins. There are consequences for our sins that will fall on our lives, our children’s lives, and/or our grandchildren’s lives. That is a heavy price to pay for sins. We all deal with trials and tribulations in this life; even Jesus had trials and tribulations and he was perfect.