Some believe that there are two ways of looking at the world: as if everything is a miracle, or as if nothing is. Author Terri Tate prefers the former, and this belief guides her attitude and her memoir.

The Grosse Pointe native and former Ann Arbor resident will be reading from her debut book, A Crooked Smile, on Sunday, June 11, at 1 pm at Nicola’s Books. That Tate is here to share her journey with us is somewhat miraculous.

In 1991, Tate’s doctors diagnosed her with oral cancer and gave her a two percent chance of survival; however, “the book is not fundamentally a cancer memoir,” Tate shares. “It is mostly about the journey involved.”

Prior to becoming a writer, Tate worked as a nurse, a hypnotherapist (the first one in the Ann Arbor phone book!), and public speaker. And then came the oral cancer diagnosis.

“Everything I’ve ever done professionally is all about talking -- being a hypnotherapist, a nurse, speeches -- and it’s also my favorite hobby. Then I learned that I could literally be silenced by oral cancer.”

After the first surgery that removed about a third of her tongue on the left side, Tate received the fantastic news that the subsequent biopsy was negative. Further, she found that her overall appearance and speech patterns were not affected; Tate felt “successfully disguised as her former self.” But about 18 months later, she experienced pain and tingling in her tongue. A biopsy confirmed that another operation would be required to remove the cancer. That 24-hour surgery removed half of her jaw. A doctor assured that she would be able to talk but he wasn’t sure “how well (her) speech would go over in business meetings” and that how well she recovered would be up to “you and me and God.”

But there was also the Vile Bitch Upstairs to contend with -- that negative voice in her own mind. “This resonates with so many readers,” Tate says of the voice in her head that constantly reminded her that she couldn’t, wouldn’t, shouldn’t. The book details how she slayed this voice and created her own path toward healing.

Tate credits her support network of friends and family for being with her every step of the way. “I try to stress how important it is to make friends with people -- especially younger friends.”

The response to the book has been overwhelming, Tate says. “I’m hearing from these amazing people who have been affected by cancer and have such inspirational stories. People have told me that it is heartening to know that they aren’t the only ones going through this.”

Tate started writing the book in 1994. “It was a long struggle to get published,” she says. The path, like many others in Tate’s life, was lined with miracles. “It starts with meeting David Roche, an inspirational speaker who also has a facial difference. Together, we created a storytelling showcase where six women each told a 15-minute story. Unbeknownst to Tate, someone sent it to the Cancer as a Turning Point conference, “which is what started my career as a speaker about cancer,” she said.

“The head of that conference happened to be meeting with the publishing company Sounds True when it was mentioned that they were looking to add memoirs to their list," Tate says. "My friend said she knew of a great memoir, and I soon found myself speaking with the head of acquisitions, who was from Ann Arbor!” In 2015, Sounds True purchased the book.

Tate hopes her book inspires readers. “It’s for anybody who is feeling like things look grim -- this is a story of having hope when there isn’t any and laughing your way through the hard times.” She adds, “There were many, many miracles connected with this book, not the least of which is I’m still here to write it!”

Patti F. Smith is a special education teacher and writer who lives in Ann Arbor with her husband and cats.

Join author Terri Tate for a reading of "A Crooked Smile" on Sunday, June 11, at 1 pm at Nicola’s Books, 2513 Jackson Ave., Ann Arbor.