"A Portrait of Mommy" is a true life story of a woman who shares her family’s’ history through her life journey; the lessons learned and the ability to persevere through heart wrenching situations with the help of her faith in God.
A Portrait of Mommy is the true life story of a woman who shares her family’s history through her life journey. Mommy faces the temporary separation of her family at a young age because of trauma, plagued by bullying during school years and abandonment of her mother at age eighteen because of infidelity. A Portrait of Mommy will inspire the young and old to persevere through heart wrenching situations with the help of your faith in God. Mommy weaves personal anecdotes with faith-filled messages encouraging forgiveness and unconditional love for everyone. This way of living will create an atmosphere of triumph during life’s most difficult times and challenges. This is my mother's story. JL Coston
Excerpt
At the age of five, I was under the watchful eye of my babysitter, Cora. There were always ladies sitting around gossiping and this day was no different. Although I was just a young child, I began to pay attention when I heard mom’s name mentioned in their conversation.
“I’m going over to her house tonight and speak to her about going off with my husband,” Cora said as she looked suspiciously at the other ladies. She appeared troubled.
The conversation began to escalate as the ladies chattered back and forth while filling Cora’s mind with information they heard about mom. As Cora listened attentively, she appeared to be in deep thought. Then I remembered hearing her say, “I’m going to kill her.”
Mom picked me up from the sitters about evening time and as we were walking down the dirt road I didn’t say very much. I was trying to keep up with mom’s hurried pace to get home to meet daddy. After arriving to the house and settling in, I began to recall what I heard earlier at the babysitter’s. “Cora was talking about you mom,” I blurted out excitedly, “she said she was coming to the house tonight and kill you.”
Mom looked at me in a surprised manner as if I was confused, “Go ahead Peas and sit down,” she said sharply, “you don’t know what you’re talking about.” She went to the kitchen area to start the fire on the wood stove. She layered pieces of old brown paper bags, a few twigs and splinters to start the fire and then laid blocks of wood on top. As she prepared dinner daddy was performing his nightly duty by starting the fireplace. He heard me speaking to my mom about what Cora said, but never spoke a word. I sat at the table watching daddy, longing to get up and play. After getting the fire started daddy turned to me and asked, “Do you want to go out to the back yard with me and check out the chickens?”
“Yell,” I answered. I immediately jumped out of my seat and followed him out the door. I loved checking on the chickens to see if they laid eggs. I picked them up and held them like babies. I was so amused by my chickens and couldn’t be happier than talking and playing with them each day. I also had the opportunity to visit my playhouse that daddy built for me. It was one full room with a stove and table and stood right outside of the kitchen door. Mom often called out to me as I played and asked “what are ya cooking?”
“Ham and eggs,” I’d answered as I pretend to cook over the stove. I loved playing house; it was so much fun.
After collecting a few eggs that evening, daddy and I went back into the house to wait for dinner. It wasn’t too long before mom served us at the table. I was so excited to eat because mom made cornbread tonight and that was my favorite.
It was not long after dinner when mom was cleaning up the dishes that a knock came at the door. My dad immediately got up to answer it, “Hello Cora,” he said as he opened the door. He spoke loudly as if he wanted mom to know she was at the house.
Cora looked angry and her voice sounded somewhat abrupt, “Is Maggie home yet,” she asked.
THE BEGINNING OF THE FIRST CHAPTER OF THIS BOOK CERTAINLY GRABBED MY ATTENTION AND, THIS BOOK IS WRITTEN SO WELL, THERE IS NO DOUBT IN MY MIND THAT THE ENTIRE BOOK WILL DO THE SAME THING. BLESSINGS AND THANK YOU. LOVE, BLESSINGS AND FAITH...JOYCE * HIS INSPIRATIONS
Reviewed by Laura H.
4/30/2018
From the disastrous events when she was five to the nearly eighty-nine years later of the main character's life--this book is filled with the tragic, sad, happy, fun, and unexpected twists and turns a person's life can take.
The author's remarkable way of storytelling illuminates the characters in such a way that the reader feels as though they are seeing the happenings visualized in their mind.
The difficult life of this family is played over many times in all parts of the world but is no less surprising when you are the person reading of it for the first time.
The depictions of how the people interact and react to times of trouble or times of happiness -- is one of the backbones of how this person's life unfolds.
With all the turmoil some people have to live through, it is amazing any child grows to adulthood as a thriving functioning adult. And in the same regard it is no surprise that so many adults have the mental and emotional issues they have when they have to live surrounded by such turmoil.
In the end, the author's revelation of how one person chooses to respond to all the happenings in her life and around her -- will help generations to come.
Thank you for bringing this story to publication for others to enjoy.
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