Preserving and Sharing Our Stories

I have been listening to stories my entire life. Depending upon the teller of the tale, I can usually distinguish truth from fiction. For instance, my great aunts' stories are all true and unfiltered because they've either forgotten how to lie or forgotten to care who knows the truth. Whatever the case, they no longer tell stories in hushed tones or check to see who's around before embarking on an historical journey.

Most of my writing has focused on retelling stories I've heard told by others, but I never considered my own recollections exciting or interesting enough to grace a page. I now know differently. Blogging has been an incredible way to receive feedback and boost my confidence, giving me courage to submit my work. I'm pleased, honored and grateful to announce that my short story, "A Tailored Life" has been selected for publication in OUR BLACK FATHERS: BRAVE, BOLD AND BEAUTIFUL!, due out in June from Five Sisters Publishing.

My grandfather was my father figure. My own father was a junior in high school when I was born and denied paternity until I was damn-near 40 and he was damn-near dead. When my mother called to tell me he wanted to meet and that I should contact him, I thought "why now?" and went on about my business. A few months later, he was dead and I was the subject of stares and whispers at the funeral. One day I have to write about it because it was one of the most comical yet profoundly sad experiences of my life.

My grandfather forbid me to go because he didn't want "those people" to hurt my feelings. He relented only after learning my sister would accompany me. He knew she would be armed and have no problem putting things right if folks got out of hand. He was right about my sister, but wrong about "those people." They were extremely gracious and polite, which may have had something to do with the looks my sister was giving from her side eye. Anyway, you have to care something about folks in order to be hurt by their actions. I was unphased.

When Daddy died a year and a half later, I was distraught. It was like the floor had been cut from beneath me. There is still a great hole in my life. I didn't think I would ever recover from the loss, but writing Tailored Life truly helped me heal. I'm excited to have a piece of my work published in an anthology, but I'm even more excited that the world will have an opportunity to learn about my daddy.