About This Book
Unraveling Echoes
My mother was simply given away as a toddler—not adopted, just given away. One day the pain of her longing to know her own name, her mother and why she was given away, was more than she could bear. I walked in on her crying. Attempting to soothe her, I hugged her as tight as I could and I promised to find answers to her questions to stop her tears. Madear looked up at me and said, earnestly, “you know you can and if anybody will, it’s you.” At the time, I didn’t think about what my words meant to her nor what hers would someday come to mean to me. After all, Madear knew absolutely nothing about herself—name, birthdate, birthplace, parents’ names, nothing. There wasn’t even a place to start. Find what? From whom, from where? She did stop crying and that’s what I was after. That was the end of it. I thought. Fast forward a few years and the promise I made to my mother long ago began to haunt me in more ways than one. I have learned that destiny is haunting and will show up and stay until you shake hands with it, satisfy it. That promise became a mission and I began my journey of trying to fulfill my promise to Madear. At the same time wondering why I was even trying since I had nothing real because she never had any information about herself. Long story short, I spent lots of time, money and emotion trying, unsuccessfully, for years. Then on a mission to do something else down in Jackson, MS, there I was lead right to an angel that God had waiting to show me that all the years of work, disappointments and feelings of hopelessness was just what happens on the way to beautiful answers for the most beautiful, soul I will ever know. I must tell you all about it, share the joys and sorrow and, finally, the triumph of it all. Hopefully, I inspire you to find the courage to tackle that dream you think can’t come true and send you to work toward your answers. Sharing this book with you is my posthumous love letter to the best person ever in my life, my mother. I learned every important thing in life watching you Madear and I am so grateful that you could always see me. Unraveling Echoes: Finding My Mother’s Identity is for you, Madear. I always thank you, love on you and pray your new life is overflowing with the love of parents who cared and protected you like you did us. I have asked God a million times to grant you all goodness in your new life.
Writing The Heart’s Songs
I love words--reading them, listening to them, singing them. I love and thank those who “wrote it down,” for posterity so that I could read their words and walk back through their lives and times whether they lived 2000 or 200 years ago. Reading Victor Hugo’s “God Is Awake,” poem in a greeting card got me thinking above the sadness and loneliness of the worst time of my life. Words and writers, I ask blessings on them and give thanks for them, always.
Until a few years ago I didn’t think seriously about writing a real book. For several years in the 1980’s I wrote and successfully self-published a sourcebook for needle artists—Designer Source Listings—but never anything serious.
Fast forward a few years and a promise I made to my mother back then began to haunt me in more ways than one. I walked in on her crying.
I was lying when I hugged her and promised I would find out everything for her. I just said that because I couldn’t stand seeing her cry, I thought. That promise became a mission. I wondered why I was even trying since I had nothing real because she never had any information about herself. Long story short, I spent lots of time, money and emotion trying, for years.
Then on a mission to do something else down in Jackson, MS that task would lead me right to an angel God had waiting to show me all the work and disappointments and feelings of hopelessness was just what happens on the way to beautiful answers for the most beautiful, soul I will ever know. I have to tell you all about it, share the joys and sorrow and, finally the triumph of it all. Hopefully, I inspire you to find the courage to tackle that dream you think can’t come true and you to work toward your answers that God has left with your angels. I share a few of mine in the book, Unraveling Echoes: Finding My Mother’s Lost Identity.
A few years ago I decided to write about the blessed wonders God has granted me. There are many. The biggest of those is my mom. The seed was planted years ago when I walked in on my mom sobbing. My mom was not a sniveling type female so, I knew something big brought on those tears. As I hugged her she said “ I have so much to tell God when I see him. I know I’m not on this earth by myself, I just feel it.” With those words I knew exactly what was hurting her so bad. My mom lived and died (at age 48) without knowing her name, birthdate, birthplace and neither parent. She wasn’t adopted, just given away. I promised my mom that I would someday, find out everything she wanted to know about herself. For many years I didn’t think about my promise. I had made that promise while hugging her through her tears. Though I was lying when I told my mom that I would find out all about her for her, years later trying to make that promise true became a crazy passion. And, after years trying, I unexpectedly walked right into the angel God had waiting to for me.
About The Author
I have always loved books and admired authors.I am so very grateful for the gifts those folks left for posterity.
Until a few years ago I didn’t think seriously about writing a real book like this memoir. My degree—Bachelor of Arts, DePaul University, Chicago—wasn't in disciplines particular to the art of writing though writing is something I have always really liked. I still have poems I wrote about each of my four children as their little personalities started shining through.
For several years in the 80’s I had written and successfully, self-published source books for the Needle Artists--Designer Source Listings--but, never any serious writing like a memoir.
Benefits of Legacy Publishing
Authenticity
Every memoir from my publishing work springs from genuine experience, honoring the complex, beautiful realities of my family’s history. Readers encounter stories that are thoughtfully researched, honestly told, and deeply personal—bridging the distance between my past and present with heartfelt accuracy. Authenticity remains the heartbeat of every narrative I create.
Inspiration
My storytelling is guided by a spirit of hope, faith, and perseverance. Many of my journeys begin in uncertainty, yet with patience and trust, even the most elusive family stories reveal unexpected grace. My work is meant not just to inform, but to uplift and encourage others embarking on their own quests for understanding.
Preservation
I safeguard legacies for tomorrow through comprehensive offerings, from beautifully printed memoirs to accessible audiobooks. Each project I create is made with the future in mind, ensuring that my family’s heritage, once preserved, becomes an enduring resource for those who wish to know where they came from.