My upbringing
My mother left her Catholic roots and brought me to the Baptist church, and that choice changed everything for me.
It was there that a blind pastor, Rev. Julius Pender, baptized me and gave me life. His second in command, Rev. Johnson, taught me compassion. Those early years in the Baptist church shaped my spirit.
Church camps gave me friendships with young women who helped me grow in my faith. Working alongside my mother, I learned from her wisdom. Her love and guidance opened doors for me to write to pen pals in every state and across the world. Together, many hands created a newsletter that carried our hope to others.
It was in the quiet, in staying in my room and having that alone time, that I was brought closer to myself. That’s where I found my love of books and writing. That’s where I found my love of self.
My mother’s courage to leave what she knew gave me a foundation I still stand on today. The blind pastor who saw me, the teachers who showed me compassion, the friends who walked with me, and the mother who guided me, all led me back to who I was meant to be.
